Cover for pre-existing medical conditions and all ages
Cruise Plus: cover itinerary changes, cabin confinement and more
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Cruise travel insurance at a glance
Staysure offers standard cruise cover when declared, and an optional Cruise Plus travel insurance add‑on for Comprehensive and Signature policies only. Cruise Plus covers ocean and river cruise-specific risks, including up to £1,500 missed port, £1,000 cabin confinement, £750 cruise interruption, and £500 unused excursions on Signature policies. Our cruise travel insurance covers pre-existing medical conditions and all ages. Getting a quote is simple online or over the phone.
Staysure has specialised in travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions since 2004. 97% of customers are able to get medical cover with us. We hold a Defaqto 5-star rating for our Comprehensive and Signature policies, and have more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other UK travel insurance provider.
Do I need special cruise travel insurance?
Setting sail soon? With cruise passenger numbers expected to reach 42 million globally by 2028, you’re in good company.
When you get a travel insurance quote with us, just let us know if you’ll be cruising. Your policy will come with cover for all the essentials – things like medical emergencies during your sailing, cruise cancellation, and baggage.
However, life on the water isn’t quite the same as a week in the sun. Things like missed ports, itinerary changes, and cabin confinement aren’t included as part of our standard travel insurance.
You don’t want to miss the boat when it comes to cover. If you’d like an extra layer of protection while you’re on board, our optional Cruise Plus add-on is just the ticket.
Your standard travel insurance policy will include:
emergency medical treatment abroad – including hospital care, ambulance transport and overnight stays if you fall seriously ill or are injured while away.
getting you home safely – repatriation cover if you’re too unwell to travel as planned, including specialist medical transport if needed.
cruise cancellations due to illness or injury – including if you're too unwell to travel, or experience a bereavement.
cutting your trip short – cover if something serious happens mid-holiday and you need to return early.
lost, stolen or damaged belongings – including your baggage, passport and personal money.
pre-existing conditions – if you’ve told us about them and we’ve accepted them, they can be included in your policy.
Cruise Plus will add cover for:
missed port departure – a cruise is the only holiday where your bedroom is always moving, so it’s important you have insurance that covers this.
cabin confinement – if you’re advised to stay in your cabin due to illness, we’ll pay up to £75 for every full 24 hours you are confined, up to a total of £1000.
unused excursions due to cabin confinement – if you’ve booked and paid for an excursion but can’t attend because you’re confined to your cabin, you won’t lose out.
changes to your itinerary – if your cruise schedule changes and you miss planned stops, you can be compensated for the disruption.
cruise interruptions – if your trip is disrupted and you need to leave early, we might be able to help with additional costs.
Example: You’re island‑hopping in the Caribbean, and your ship falls victim to one of the unlucky dozen norovirus outbreaks annually reported on cruises to US ports. If the ship medic confines you to your cabin, our Cruise Plus cabin‑confinement benefit could reimburse you for the snorkelling excursion you had booked.
What isn’t covered?
cancelling because you’ve changed your mind – cover only applies to unexpected and insured reasons.
missed flights – unless it’s due to a strike* severe weather, or mechanical breakdowns.
undeclared medical conditions – always let us know about any health issues when you get a quote.
unattended items – valuables left alone may not be covered.
activities not listed on your policy – like extreme sports, unless you’ve added them.
travelling against advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – policies won’t cover destinations where the UK government advises against all travel.
incidents involving alcohol or drugs – claims related to excessive alcohol or controlled substances won’t be accepted.
going against medical advice – for example, flying too soon after an operation or illness.
travelling for the purpose of receiving medical treatment – including consultations, tests, or planned procedures abroad.
Example: You’re due to join your ship in Barcelona but lose track of time and set off late. As the delay wasn’t caused by something unexpected, the cost of catching up with your cruise wouldn’t be covered.
Cruise holiday insurance for medical conditions
Illness can happen at sea – not just the seasick kind. You’re travelling in close quarters, often far from shore, where onboard medical teams are usually your first port of call if you need treatment. Care at sea isn’t typically included in the price of your holiday, and if you need further treatment ashore or medical evacuation, the costs can add up quickly.
As a medical travel insurance specialist, we cover over 1,300 medical conditions**, and all ages. So, if your condition flares up while you’re at sea, or you need help during your trip, we’ve got your back on board and beyond.
Medical conditions we regularly cover
We regularly help cruise-lovers like you get cover for health conditions, including:
If you can’t find your condition here, don’t fret. You can browse more medical conditions on our website or contact our team for support.
Proud to be a part of BIBA's medical directory
For people who have trouble finding travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has a directory of specialist insurers, like us!
To find out more, or if on the odd occasion we are unable to provide the cover you need, contact BIBA on 0370 950 1790. You can also search BIBA's medical directory online.
Free English-speaking medical help abroad
Travel Doctor, our new online service, connects you with an English-speaking doctor if you need medical support while you are abroad.* It lets you book a video-based consultation to discuss your health needs with a doctor right from your sun lounger.
You can choose a slot that works for you, go through your symptoms, get your prescription and even use Travel Doctor to find your nearest pharmacy, so you can get your meds and get on with enjoying your holiday.
Pick a travel insurance policy and tailor it to you
Shout bon voyage to a one-size-fits-all policy and give a warm welcome to holiday insurance that's all about you. Join over 12 million people who've trusted us with their travel insurance since 2005.
Make sure your cover meets your cruise line’s requirements
What our expert says…
“While you can choose from 3 different levels of cruise holiday insurance with us, it’s worth keeping in mind that some cruise lines require you to have a certain amount of protection in place before you set sail. For example, P&O cruises often expect at least £2 million in medical cover.
”
How long can I travel for with travel insurance for cruises?
How long you can sail for will depend on the type of policy you choose and your age.
If you’re planning one bigger trip, like a long-haul sailing, a back-to-back itinerary or a world cruise, a single-trip policy will usually give you more room to travel for longer in one go, whatever your age. Annual multi-trip policies, on the other hand, are often better for shorter sailings spread across the year.
Single-trip cruise policy maximum durations
Age
Region 1&2
Region 3
Region 4
0-65
550 days
550 days
550 days
66-70
366 days
276 days
184 days
71-75
366 days
184 days
123 days
76+
104 days
104 days
104 days
Annual multi-trip cruise policy maximum durations
Age
Trip length
0-70
Maximum 50 days in any one trip
183 days in total
71+
Maximum 35 days in any one trip
183 days in total
How to get cruise holiday insurance
Getting your cruise covered is simple.
1. Tell us about your cruise
To get started on your quote, we’ll go over your travel plans. We need to know who’s coming along, where you’re heading, how long your trip will be, and whether you need insurance for a single trip or annual multi-trip cover.
For cruises, it’s important to include every destination on your itinerary, as well as any flights to and from your port.
2. Share your medical history with us
Next on the list, we’ll go over some health questions with you so we can make sure you get the best medical cover while travelling. Now is the time to tell us about any health concerns that needed medication, medical advice, or treatment during the last two years.
3. Get a tailored quote
Once we have everything we need, we’ll give you your personalised quote, either online or by reading it out loud over the phone.
You’ll be able to choose your level of cover and add any optional extras that suit your trip, like Cruise Plus if you’d like more cover while you’re at sea.
If you’d like more time to think it over, we can also send your quote by email so you can go through it in your own time.
Many experts agree that buying travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday is the best way to go. By doing this, you’ll be covered during the run-up to your holiday and while you’re abroad.
Despite the benefits of buying early, lots of people leave it to the last minute. Our sales data from July 2025 to January 2026 shows that the majority of travellers purchased their policy within 30 days of leaving, with a significant proportion doing so within just a few days of departure.
Travel insurance can’t be backdated, so it’s best to get it locked in before you are on holiday. If you still have to get your policy in place for future travels, it’s not too late. Simply get in touch with our friendly team to get a quote.
How much is cruise holiday insurance?
The cost of your cruise holiday cover depends on you and your trip.
For example, a few easy days sailing around the Med will usually cost less than a once-in-a-lifetime voyage around the world – especially if there's more to plan for, like a heart condition that might need support at sea.
Adding Cruise Plus to your quote will usually increase the price, but it also means you won’t be left out of pocket if something cruise-specific disrupts your well-earned break.
The easiest way to see what you’ll pay is to get a quote with us online or over the phone.
How to get cheaper travel insurance for a cruise holiday
Want to shrink the costs of your travel insurance while still getting the most out of your policy? Keep these tips and tricks in mind before you buy:
get covered early – if you buy your cover as soon as you book your trip, you will have all the protection you need should you need to cancel because of a policy-approved reason.
go for a higher excess – one of the best ways to lower your premium is to increase your excess. Just be sure to settle on an excess you are comfortable paying should you need to.
consider another policy – if you are going to travel more than twice per year, an annual multi-trip policy might be cheaper than multiple single-trip policies.
leave the add-ons – only get add-ons, like gadget cover, that you need.
get group cover – our group travel insurance lets you save on costs by covering everyone under one policy.
find a discount – make sure you drop by our discounts page before buying so you can save on your policy.
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Pack lighter to keep costs down
What our expert says…
“If you’re looking to get cheaper cruise travel insurance, it’s worth thinking about what you’re bringing with you. Going overboard with high-value items – like multiple suitcases of formalwear for gala nights, or the latest tech for capturing every port – might mean you’ll need higher baggage limits or extra baggage cover, which can increase the price.
”
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The British Travel Awards have recognised us as the Best Company for Travel Insurance nine years in a row (2016-2025). This achievement is based on the votes of real customers, showing the trust travellers place in us.
This award is only given to travel companies that provide stellar service to their customers. It shows that we prioritise customer service, round-the-clock support when you need it most, and a reliable and speedy claims process.
People also asked
For our travel insurance, a cruise is defined as a holiday where you stay overnight on a cruise ship or river boat, with your own cabin, as part of a planned itinerary.
A ferry crossing – even if it includes an overnight stay – isn't classed as a cruise.
Cruise travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement, but in practice, it’s often treated like one. For example, P&O cruises state that travel insurance is mandatory for all passengers, and that policies must meet the following requirements:
Covers a cruise holiday.
Covers the full length of the trip.
Includes all destinations.
Includes medical and repatriation cover of £2 million minimum.
Covers any declared pre-existing medical conditions.
Whether you’re island-hopping through Greece, sailing the Norwegian fjords or ticking off a once in a lifetime cruise around the globe, our cruise travel insurance is designed to keep up with your trip – not limit it.
When you get a quote, just tell us where your cruise begins, where it stops along the way, and whether you’ll be flying out to join the ship. We’ll categorise your trip by travel region to make sure your cover and price fit your plans.
Travel regions we cover:
Region 1: Includes the UK and Europe, but excludes Cyprus, Egypt, Greece (including the Greek Islands), Malta, Morocco, Spain (including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands), Turkey and Tunisia.
Region 3: Worldwide, excluding the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, China, Bermuda, Mexico, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Region 4: Worldwide, including all countries, including the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
At Staysure, we believe that, as your age gets bigger, so should your dreams. That’s why we cover pre-existing medical conditions, and all ages.
Your age can affect how long you can travel for, however, our limits are designed to comfortably cover the kind of trips most people take, including cruises.
The average cruise lasts 7.1 days, with some longer itineraries, like Mediterranean or Caribbean sailings running to 14 or even 21 days – all sit comfortably within our standard limits. If you're aged 65 or younger, you'll be able to travel for up to 550 days on one voyage depending on where your cruise is heading. If you're 76 or older, our single-trip policies can protect up to 104 days of travel. For more details, see the tables above.
If you’re one of the 14% of cruise travellers setting sail twice per year, or one of the lucky 11% taking 3 to 5 trips, an annual policy could save you time and money. Simply buy an annual policy, and you'll be able to book your next cruise, and the one after that, without needing to get a quote each time.
This will cover you for up to 183 days of cruise and non-cruise holidays in 12 months.
As long as you’ve declared that you are going on a cruise and covered all your pre-existing conditions on your travel insurance policy, you’ll be covered for medical emergencies — even if they’re related to your conditions.
With our optional Cruise Plus add-on, you can be covered if a health outbreak affects your time on board.
Cruise ships bring people together in close quarters, so illnesses can spread more easily than on land. According to the CDC, norovirus causes over 90% of gastrointestinal outbreaks at sea, with around a dozen outbreaks reported each year.
If you’re affected by an outbreak and the ship’s medical officer asks you to stay in your cabin, we’ll pay up to £75 for every full 24 hours you’re confined, up to a total of £1000. We can also pay up to £500 for prepaid excursions you can’t use as a result of your confinement.
Yes, you'll need to tell us about every country you'll be porting at during your cruise holiday.
Important: If your cruise takes you through the Suez Canal, you will also need to add ‘Egypt’ to the list of countries, even if the ship does not plan to port there.
Even if you're not planning on getting off the ship, you'll still need to tell us about all of the countries that you'll be porting at.
Our policies cover more than 100 activities as standard – many of which you’re likely to enjoy on a cruise.
This includes things like boogie boarding, catamaran sailing, ice skating, jet skiing, volleyball, swimming, surfing, Pilates, rowing, skateboarding, snorkelling, water parks, and cycling, with some exceptions when it comes to personal accident and liability cover.
Cruises are a big hit for multi-generational holidays, with 28% of travellers sailing with 3 to 5 generations.
If you’re taking the kids, grandkids, or even the great grandkids on a cruise, you don’t need to take out multiple different insurance policies.
Travelling as a traditional family unit (1 or 2 parents with children)? Our family travel insurance can cover you all under one policy. Children need to be under 18, or under 21 if in full-time education.
If your group is a little bigger – think grandparents, siblings, or friends travelling together – our group travel insurance is likely the best fit. You can cover up to 9 people online, or up to 30 when you call us. You don’t all need to live at the same address.
Whether you choose family or group cover, you’ll all be covered under one policy, which keeps things simple. And if one person needs to cancel or cut short their trip due to a medical emergency, the rest of your group can be covered too.
Stay in control of your account with My Staysure
You can make changes to your policy, online and in your own time with My Staysure.
It’s quick and easy to make changes to your policy online. If you need to make simple changes such as updating traveller details or renewing a policy that’s details are staying the same, just visit your My Staysure account.
Cover for pre-existing medical conditions and all ages
