Travel Insurance for Australian Cruises

Some people don’t believe they need cover for Australian cruises, but this is not the case. As many Australian cruises cross into international waters, it’s actually an international travel insurance policy that you require. Domestic policies do not cover any medical or hospital expenses. Here’s why you should consider RAC's Travel Insurance.

• Many cruise lines require passengers to have travel insurance and will deny boarding if it’s mandatory. Best to check with your cruise line prior to departure.
• Your personal items and luggage are covered. You could accidentally drop your wallet into the Pacific Ocean, or your luggage is stolen or damaged on board.
• You could fall ill before your trip and miss it altogether. Cancellation is a section of cover under certain travel insurance policies
• Get covered for a range of activities: there are cruise ships out there these days that offer wave riding and ice-skating onboard. Plus off-ship shore excursions can include jet skiing, snorkeling and more. Make sure you’re covered for these activities.
• Reimbursements for shore excursions: If it is necessary for your cruise to be cancelled or cut short due to your sudden injury or illness, you will be covered for the cost of excursions, tours and activities which you have pre-paid for and which you cannot recover from any sources.
• Cover for cruise delays: We will reimburse the cost of your necessary additional meals, accommodation and travel expenses, if during a trip your departure by sea vessel is delayed due to reasons outside of your control, including poor weather conditions.

The cost of medical attention

The cost of seeing a doctor onboard can be a costly exercise. Travel insurance covers medical treatment on cruise ships even if that ship is within Australian territorial waters. In the worst case scenario that you need serious medical attention, you may need an emergency evacuation to be airlifted off of the ship to the nearest hospital. You can only imagine how expensive this would be, but is also covered by most travel insurance policies.

What about Medicare?

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Medicare benefits are only available to you when you cruise if:

• You're travelling between two Australian ports, and
• The doctor on board is registered with Medicare.

But here's the catch: most cruise ships don’t have Medicare-registered doctors, especially if the cruise line isn’t Australian.

So, Medicare won’t cover you if one or all of the below apply:

• You're going from Australia to another country, or
• You're travelling between two foreign ports.
• There are no Medicare doctors on board.

That’s why travel insurance is strongly recommended, even for cruises that stay within Australian waters.