Travel Insurance Plans on PolicyBazaar#1
- Individuals
- Sr. Citizens
- Students
Why You Need Specialised Cruise Coverage
Many Indians opt for a luxurious international cruise from India, often spanning days. Given the high cost of cruises and their unique issues, you need to consider the risks they entail. You need specialised cruise coverage because standard travel insurance policies usually strictly exclude any medical treatments or expenses that happen on a cruise. If you do not buy the specific cruise add-on, your insurance company will not pay for emergencies or travel disruptions that occur while you are at sea.
Covers costs of doctors, meds, & hospital stay
Covers the cost of air or sea ambulance to dry land in case of extreme health emergencies
Lets you rejoin the cruise at the next port and covers extra expenses
Refunded if missed due to injury/illness
Standard Travel Insurance vs. Cruise Add-On
It's important to understand that while cruise travel insurance is a better option for those going on
| Feature | Regular Plan vs. Cruise Add-on Coverage |
| Medical Treatment | Regular plans cover emergency treatment in land-based hospitals; Cruise add-on covers emergency medical costs incurred at the ship's infirmary. |
| Emergency Evacuation | Regular plans only cover ground transport (ambulance or air ambulance in extreme scenarios); Cruise add-on covers air/sea evacuation from the ship to the mainland. |
| Missed Port / Shore | Standard plans offer no payout for route changes; Cruise add-on pays a fixed benefit for missed port stops. |
| Cruise Interruption | Regular plans only cover flight delays or missed connections; Cruise add-on pays for travel to catch up to the ship at the next port. |
| Cabin Confinement | No coverage in standard plans; Cruise add-on provides a daily allowance if a ship doctor orders you to isolate. |
How to Buy Travel Insurance for Cruise Ship
Cruise travel insurance is offered by select insurers and it's usually available as an add-on. That is, you must select and pay for the cruise insurance when buying your base policy. Here is how you can buy:
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Step 1
Visit Policybazaar and enter your destination, age, and travel dates.
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Step 2
Select the plan of your choice by comparing quotes to find cheap international travel insurance that fits your budget.
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Step 3
Add the Cruise bundle or similar optional coverage under the add-ons section.
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Step 4
Declare important details like name, travel destination, age, PED etc. Ensure you mention any PEDs and accurate details before making the payment.
If an emergency or disruption happens, you must immediately contact the insurer/customer helpline. Like any claim procedure, you will need to submit specific documents, such as your original cruise itinerary, proof of boarding, medical records, or a police report regarding vehicle accidents.
What is Covered/ What is Not Covered?
Covered in policy
If you suffer a sudden injury or illness while aboard the ship, your cruise add-on will provide medical & emergency sea-to-shore protection. This is how a cruise ship travel insurance policy can help:
Hospitalisation Expenses
Your cruise travel insurance will cover emergency medical treatments, doctor fees, hospital room, and medicines.
Daily Cash
You receive a fixed daily allowance for each continuous 24-hour period you are hospitalised on the cruise.
Cabin Confinement
Offered by select insurers, if the ship's medical officer orders you to remain in your cabin due to an infectious disease (like a Norovirus outbreak or COVID-19) or injury, the policy pays a fixed daily amount. This is distinct from general hospitalisation.
Medical Evacuation
If the ship's medical facility cannot treat your condition, your insurer covers the cost of an ambulance or emergency transport to safely move you to the nearest appropriate hospital on dry land.
Standard Travel Insurance Benefits
Even while on a cruise, your base international travel insurance still provides standard benefits baggage delay/loss, loss of passport, trip cancellation, personal liability and more.
Not Covered in policy
Like all policies, this cruise travel insurance policy has certain limitations where it won't provide any coverage. Other than general exclusions of standard travel insurance, the following are the add-on specific limitations to keep in mind under cruise cover:
The insurance will not pay for cruise interruptions or hospitalisations if they are caused by a medical condition you already had before the trip.
Missed Shore and Unused Excursions are often conditional on specific medical or weather events.
For missed-cruise and cruise-interruption claims to be valid, you must have planned your travel so that you were scheduled to arrive at the seaport at least 3 hours (or as specified by your insurer) before the ship's departure time.
You may have to pay a small initial amount out of your own pocket (a deductible) before the insurance kicks in, and certain medical expenses have maximum payout limits (sub-limits) based on your specific plan.
Intentional self-harm or suicide attempts.
If an accident happens while intoxicated on board.
Any loss due to hazardous activities during shore excursions (unless specifically buying an add-on).
Cruising from India: Top International Destinations
Nothing screams luxurious and leisurely travelling more than a cruise, and even if you have limited time and budget, you can still find several feasible cruising options within and from India. Take a look at some of the best international cruises from India:
Chennai to Sri Lanka
This is among the most popular cruises from India. Thanks to its short duration and affordable pricing. Many ships sail from Chennai, pass through Hambantota, Trincomalee, and Jaffna, and then return to Chennai.
Kolkata to Bangladesh
This is another short-cruise option for people who want a budget-friendly international cruise. Starting from Kolkata, you can sail across the beautiful Sundarbans area through Kalna, Borisal, Chandpur, and Sonargaon to finally reach your destination port in Dhaka. The entire journey takes approximately 2 weeks (14 days) and 13 nights.
Kochi to Abu Dhabi
Kochi, or Cochin, is among the most popular seaports in India, offering sea routes across the Arabian Sea, the Laccadive Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Many cruise ships offer 8-9-day tours starting from Kochi and sailing through New Mangalore, Goa, Mumbai, Muscat & Abu Dhabi. You can also join the cruise from Mumbai if the seaport is closer.
Mumbai to Oman
The seaport in Mumbai is among the busiest in the world, facilitating national and international transportation. Apart from cargo, many cruise lines operate from Mumbai, including an international cruise to Oman. The cruise from Mumbai to Oman has a total duration of 29 days and follows the route through Mumbai, New Mangalore, Cochin, Male, Salalah and finally Oman.
Cochin to Singapore
This is a short international cruise for people who can't manage more than a week or two of travelling. Many cruise lines offer a week-long cruise from Cochin seaport between 6 and 9 days. Cruises to Singapore from India usually follow the route through Cochin, Colombo, Langkawi (Malaysia), Port Klang, Kuala Lumpur and finally to Singapore.
Important Things to Know Before Booking an International Cruise
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Most tours don't cover any deviation costs, i.e., additional expenses if you choose to leave your tour group to do something outside your brochure.
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Many international cruise operators arrange your visa to the destination country. However, they usually don't cover visa costs. Make sure to check if these costs are included in your cruise package before selecting.
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A valid Indian passport is mandatory for international cruises. Get your passport in order, renewed or issued beforehand.
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Your tour operator will likely purchase travel insurance for your cruise trip. However, for complete coverage, make sure to have an individual travel insurance policy for your international cruise. It will come in handy in case of several trip-related emergencies.
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Prepare all your travel documents, including passport validity and visa requirements, in case you plan to extend your plans after the cruise.
Cruise Travel Insurance: FAQs
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Q. Do I need travel insurance for a cruise?
Ans: Yes, if you have a cruise or more planned for your trip, then you should buy a cruise travel insurance for your journey, as it is very costly and any complications can cost you a lot of money and inconvenience. -
Q. Is a cruise included in travel insurance?
Ans: This depends on the insurer; a few insurers include cruise coverage, while a few insurers provide it as an add-on. -
Q. What does travel insurance on a cruise cover?
Ans: Most cruise travel insurance covers medical and travel emergencies specific to being on a ship, such as medical emergencies, missed cruise, cruise interruption, missed shore, etc. -
Q. How much does a cruise travel insurance cost?
Ans: Cruise travel insurance is generally available as an add-on, so the price will depend on the policy purchased and total trip duration. -
Q. What is travel insurance for cruises?
Ans: You will need to compare plans and prices independently to decide which is best suited to your specific trip. -
Q. Can you buy travel insurance after booking cruise?
Ans: No, Indian travel insurance policies can only be purchased while you're in India. Once you leave, you can't buy them. -
Q. Is there a cruise travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?
Ans: No, most insurers specifically exclude PED-related issues faced during a cruise trip.
Travel insurance companies
Aditya Birla
Bajaj General
Care
Cholamandalam MS
Digit
Future Generali
HDFC ERGO General
ICICI Lombard
IFFCO Tokio
IndusInd General
National Insurance
New India Assurance
Niva Bupa
Oriental
Royal Sundaram
SBI General
Shriram General
Star
Tata AIG
United India
Universal Sompo
Zurich Kotak
