Alaskan cruise with 1 port Canada

[savethepandas]

We are scheduled on an Alaskan cruise, which includes 1 Canadian port near end of itinerary.  Have good domestic health insurance, but concerned over emergency evacuation (from remote Alaska) and perhaps, extra medical coverage, just in case.  Also concerned over CFAR, which no longer is feasible as initial deposit paid many months ago.  Would it be reasonable to take the cruise's CFAR policy (HAL) and supplement with emergency evac/med policy? 

[InsureMyTrip]

Maybe. 
Since you are no longer eligible for CFAR from a third-party insurance provider, and if having to cancel for something other than a covered reason is a concern of yours – then purchasing CFAR through the cruise line is really your best and only option.  However, keep in mind, for most cruise lines CFAR reimbursement is a percentage of credits toward a future cruise.  For example, you may be offered 75%-90% of the cost of your cruise that you can use to pay for a future cruise. For reference, CFAR through a third-party is generally cash back.  

 

We always advise travelers to purchase emergency medical/evac when visiting another country – because most domestic health insurance plans will not cover medical bills outside of the U.S. (this includes Medicare). So yes, if you’re traveling to Canada, travel medical is a good idea.
 

[savethepandas]

Thanks so much for your prompt response and advice!

 

Yes, understand that typically CFAR refunds are in the form of credits.  However, Holland America's CFAR is in the form of cash, at either 80 or 90%.   The reason for CFAR is more for the issue of pre-existing conditions, as one cruiser has some chronic issues.   So, while we would anticipate canceling only for a "covered reason," it may be tricky if there is a history of pre-existing issues and proving that event is due to something otherwise.  

 

I did locate a third party provider who said that I could use its policy as a gap policy.  That is, if the canceling reason was a covered reason, but the cruise line only covered 80% of costs, I could list the remaining 20% (actual cost), so that they would cover, and additionally, have the included medical/evacuation benefits on that policy.

 

Does that approach sound reasonable?