Insurance for a free cruise

[sadiwest]

Dh and I are scheduled for a b2b, the first leg of which is through the casino.    I declined insurance (we drive to the port no flights) since really wasn't much oop expense, but now that I'm booking excursions (one) and a dining reservation (one)....soda, coffee....does any part of a casino trip warrant cancelation insurance? 

 

Putting injuries or illness aside for a min since we're headed to Bermuda (not sure I'd want to get stuck at a hospital anywhere, but of all places I wouldn't panic in Bermuda)...just wondering about the cancelation aspect. 

[LittleMissMagic]

I'd say it depends on your risk tolerance. Depending on what credit card you used to book, you may already have some trip insurance covered. Definitely look into the trip insurance/purchase protection plan for your credit card so you understand what coverage you already have.

 

Trip cancellation coverage would reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel due to a covered reason outlined in your policy (your illness, illness/death of family member, natural disaster). You may also look into trip interruption insurance and trip delay coverage. You do not need to purchase travel insurance through Royal Caribbean - there are many independent travel insurance providers who can offer more customizable coverage.

[RJ257]

I live close to all south Florida ports so like you no flights and drive to ports. I really don't worry about cancellation for last minute illness or other reasons for missing my cruise ( mine are mostly casino cruises so not a big deal if emergency happens ). I do worry about medical costs when on a cruise. Being sick, hospitalized and having to be airlifted back to US could be a huge expense. It does depend on your risk tolerance, financial condition, what coverage you may have from a credit card and your personal insurance. I always have some travel insurance in place for those reasons.

[Mum2Mercury]

4 minutes ago, RJ257 said:

I do worry about medical costs when on a cruise. Being sick, hospitalized and having to be airlifted back to US could be a huge expense.

Yes, this.  I wouldn't be happy, but I could walk away from my cruise ticket cost -- but I do want medical and evacuation coverage.  I bought JUST this coverage recently for my husband and myself for about $50.  

[rncruiser]

No matter how healthy you are, you never know what can happen. I would never leave the country without trip interruption insurance. Many years ago my then 12 year old nephew had to go to the ER in Bermuda and then be airlifted back to the US. The doctors in Bermuda could not manage his severe acute illness. Luckily they had trip cancellation insurance. It covered the ships medical charges, the charges for the hospital in Bermuda, the airlifting back to the states, airfare from Bermuda to the US for the rest of the family, and many other expenses. It was well worth it. 

[Sunshine3601]

If your first leg was a casino comp and you only paid the normal port fees and taxes that is fully refundable if you cancel for any reason.   

 

If you upgraded cabin through casino that is also fully refundable.  

 

If you prepaid tips, drink pkg, voom, excursions they are all refundable if you don't board the ship.

[GTO-Girl]

We always get trip insurance (never through the cruise line) and we book mostly casino cruises.

 

For the trip amount we put in zero since all that we paid is fully refundable.  That way we are covered for medical and medical evacuations which is our main concern.

 

Being able to list the trip cost as zero greatly reduces our premium.  We are in our 70’s and we’re able to get $250,000 in medical and $500,000 in medical evac (for primary coverage and not secondary) for $127 for a 7 day cruise….

 

We get our quotes and purchase our policies through www.insuremytrip.com

[sadiwest]

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Yes, this.  I wouldn't be happy, but I could walk away from my cruise ticket cost -- but I do want medical and evacuation coverage.  I bought JUST this coverage recently for my husband and myself....

So you don't have to put a value on the trip per se but just choose that specific coverage?  I've never used a company outside of RCCL for insurance except for once through USAA. Im not even sure if USAA offers that but I should ask!

[sadiwest]

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

If your first leg was a casino comp and you only paid the normal port fees and taxes that is fully refundable if you cancel for any reason.   

 

If you upgraded cabin through casino that is also fully refundable.  

 

If you prepaid tips, drink pkg, voom, excursions they are all refundable if you don't board the ship.

This.   We took the free inside because it's just a 5 nt for the two of us.   No upgrades.   Anything else I assumed would be refunded so that clarified that. 

 

Ty. 

[steveru621]

You definitely want medical coverage.

[Morecruisesplz]

4 hours ago, sadiwest said:

but now that I'm booking excursions (one) and a dining reservation (one)....soda, coffee....does any part of a casino trip warrant 

Those extra fees would all be refunded if you cancel. 

[cruisegirl1]

Check your medical coverage.  Mine does not cover me outside of the country. I buy insurance for medical coverage, lost/delayed baggage (used it this year already), medical evacuation, trip interruption (cancelled flight home -delayed till the next day) etc.  I use an annual plan that covers all my travel, not just cruises.    Losing the cost of the cruise is often the least of my worries.

 

Good luck

M 

 

 

[FamilyCruiserUK]

From the UK i struggle to understand how people do NOT have travel insurance for any holiday outside of your country, and a cruise ship is outside of your country. The cost of medical care on cruise ships as far as i know is not covered by your home medical insurance. 

 

My travel insurance for thee of us for world wide travel for up to a year is £157 surely its worth paying that compared to a visit to the medical centre on the ship. 

[cruisegirl1]

8 minutes ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

From the UK i struggle to understand how people do NOT have travel insurance for any holiday outside of your country, and a cruise ship is outside of your country. The cost of medical care on cruise ships as far as i know is not covered by your home medical insurance. 

 

My travel insurance for thee of us for world wide travel for up to a year is £157 surely its worth paying that compared to a visit to the medical centre on the ship. 

 

These folks will be the first to go to the media with some sad story about expensive medical care.  

M

[pcur]

1 hour ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

From the UK i struggle to understand how people do NOT have travel insurance for any holiday outside of your country, and a cruise ship is outside of your country. The cost of medical care on cruise ships as far as i know is not covered by your home medical insurance. 

 

My travel insurance for thee of us for world wide travel for up to a year is £157 surely its worth paying that compared to a visit to the medical centre on the ship. 

Agree.  It's been discussed extensively here on CC that many of us buy annual travel insurance for the price one would pay to insure one trip.  Go more than 100 miles away from home, you're covered.  For $188 a year, that's $15 a month.

 

 I live in the SF Bay Area.  If I decide to drive to Monterey to the aquarium for the day, my travel insurance covers me.

Edited April 1 by pcur

[sadiwest]

Just as a follow up I bought insurance through USAA (their travel partner) that is specifically focused on medical care outside of the country.   We're 55 & 60 at the time of travel and it was in the mid 60$ range. 

 

Im not sure what would happen with the other offerings (outside the medical items) that are included but at least now at least we're covered.