Being prepared for the unexpected. We all have insurance for all manner of things. We have insurance on ourselves, property, automobiles.......why? The short answer is for 'peace of mind'. We do not know if our particular situation will be covered. But, we feel that it is necessary. And, in my opinion, it is worth the expense. And, I am focusing on travel insurance in particular.
I have no doubt that you have read about, heard about or perhaps know about someone who was caught unprepared by an event that may have involved some insurance coverage, but opted not to have it. It can have a devastating effect on a persons' personal financial situation being in an unfortunate travel related situation with no recourse of expenses paid.
In my Guide, Booking to Boarding, that can be found on my website, I emphasize the consideration to be given to travel insurance. Choosing travel insurance requires some critical thinking about the 'what ifs' of travel. It required that you review your itinerary closely and then write down the questions related to a particular situation. Since the field of travel insurance is a competitive field, having the questions to ask a travel insurance professional is very important as is the responses to your questions. A travel insurance professional is in the business of providing the insurance options that best suit your needs.
When I travel whether by cruise or plane, I purchase travel insurance. There are several from which to evaluate. This is a good starting point to learn about what your needs are regarding your travels. It will vary from traveler to traveler as to the varying needs depending on the where, when and by what means the traveler is doing. I am not an expert in the field of travel insurance. I purchase travel insurance for the 'peace of mind' of knowing that the insurer will address all covered expenses. One of the key components of this process is documentation.
If, during your travels, there are situations where you incur extraordinary expenses, travel insurance may or may not cover you. At times, you may have to spend quite a bit of time acquiring that documentation to support your claim. One time, I requested reimbursement for a hotel due to an airline flight delay. The airline would only pay a certain amount and the hotel I was at cost more. So, I needed that documentation plus the reason, in writing, regarding the 'cause' for the flight delay. In my case, it was due to a mechanical issue. It took quite some time to get to the right person at the airline to generate a letter explaining the situation regarding the flight delay in order for my claim to be processed.
In my opinion, an important part of your travel insurance policy is one that includes medical coverage and emergency transportation coverage. I believe that in many instances, a traveler will have to bear most of the expenses incurred upfront. This alone can be a shocking event. Having the appropriate medical/transportation inclusion of your policy would be worth the price of the premium.
However, I cannot overemphasize that the purchase of travel insurance is not a 'buy it and forget it item. The following is an example that makes it necessary to ask some pointed questions about your particular situation before traveling.
In August of 2026, The Serenade of the Seas experienced an unfortunate event. A mid-size ship of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) was in Vancouver, BC, ready for a cruise to Alaska. With passengers onboard and probably near capacity given that August is still peak season for travel to Alaska, there were probably about 2,000 passengers onboard. However, technical issues resulted in the cancellation of the cruise. The vessel is 23 years old and had a major refurbishment in 2022. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line responded with responsible compensation to the passengers.
So, given the responsible compensation by RCCL in this case, could travel insurance help? Of course, it would be on a case by case basis, but this is how Travel Insurance could help.
1. Independent Travel costs. If your flights or pre-cruise hotels cost more than the cruise line's capped reimbursement limits or weren't booked via Air2Sea, third party travel insurance trip interruption or hotel delay benefits can help bridge the gap.
2. Non-English/Non-US/CFAR Add ons: "Cancel for any reason" (CFAR) policies or comprehensive plans cover personal scheduling changes or distinct logistical costs if you choose to pull out BEFORE a final corporate resolution is reached.
3. Medical and Emergency Evacuation may not be something not included in the cruise line compensation. This type of coverage is always recommended and typically included in travel insurance packages.
My suggestion is for passengers to use this article as a guide. In looking at any Plan, see what 'non-refundable' costs would add up to and be and compare this to the cost of an insurance premium. These are the discussions you need to have with a Travel Insurance Professional.
In Summary:
I am an advocate for travel insurance. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to identify their own needs for coverage. A personal inventory of the health of the purchaser. Understanding that there may be 'fine print' in any insurance policy. And so, it is incumbent of the buyer to ask all relevant questions to the insurer regarding coverages and waivers for pre-existing conditions. In the above case,
I am very pleased to announce to you that SeasTheDayAndCruise.com has been accepted as an Affiliate with InsureMyTrip.com. Their leadership and professionalism in the travel insurance field is well known and respected.