We booked a Greek Isles cruise with Windstar. When I bought my airline tickets thru Delta, I bought travel insurance. Do I need separate travel insurance through the cruise line? We’re flying to Athens, then to Crete for 4 days. We’re staying one night in Athens before cruise and one night after cruise in Athens before we fly home. I’m about to make the final payment on the cruise and I’m confused on if paying for travel insurance through Windstar would be redundant. If this topic is covered somewhere please let me know. Thanks!
Posted by
Lake District, England
8684 posts
You don't need insurance from the Cruise Company BUT you do need to ensure that your own insurance specifically covers cruises- this explains why- https://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/travel-insurance/cruise-insurance-explained-aiken8J6VEBT
The worst thing is that you fall ill on board ship (which does not have full medical facilities) and have to be medi-vacced by helicopter to a shore-side hospital.
Most cruise companies will require you to demonstrate that you have cruise specific insurance.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5788 posts
What ki nd of travel insurance did you buy? Just cancellation or also interruption, or comprehensive? Did you just buy coverage for your plane tickets or did you also buy coverage at that time for your pre cruise and post cruise stays? If you didn't include the cruise costs , then you will either need to supplement your initial policy or buy a second policy just for the cruise. Whether to buy from the cruise company's agent or a different travel insurance company depends on their coverages and exclusions , as well as max payouts. Read the fine print before you commit
I'm assuming that you've already sorted out travel medical insurance.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5788 posts
Most cruise companies will require you to demonstrate that you have cruise specific insurance
While this is true in the UK, unfortunately it is not in the US. As foolhardy as it is, every year there are stories of people who fall ill or have an accident on a cruise and are left behind in a hospital with massive bills.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9057 posts
It is unclear to me whether you bought the travel insurance through Delta to cover your flights only or if you purchased a separate travel insurance policy elsewhere. If through Delta, make sure exactly what it covers. My guess is that it doesn't cover your cruise.
Windstar is a lovely luxury cruise line and I am sure that you will have a great experience. However, that lovely luxury cruise line comes with a price. Could you afford to lose that amount of money?
Posted by
California
12 posts
You might want to make a mental or physical list of every bad thing that can happen to you getting to or on the cruise and then read the actual policies and see if your worst fears are covered. Then, buy extra insurance or be cognizant of what you may have to cover out of pocket. Trips are fun, but can turn out expensive.
Posted by
OP
Louisville KY
8 posts
I’m convinced! I need separate travel insurance for the cruise. Thanks for everyone that commented!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA area (USA)
196 posts
If you pay with a credit card it’s worth checking to see whether the card issuer provides trip cancellation insurance. My American Express card does, and we’ve used it a couple of times when sudden illness or injury required us to cancel a trip. Good luck!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8135 posts
Not telling you what to do, but Windstar does sell their own travel insurance. It should be noted that if a provider goes bankrupt, it is possible or even likely that THEIR policies would not be able to pay out. But there are other, plusses, for some customers in the provider's insurance, like percentage payout on cancellation. Some provider plans ONLY offer "full credit on a future departure", which is not exactly "a refund!"
You need to study up a lot on travel insurance in general. It is very possible that many popular and "satisfactory" policies will not waive their "pre-existing conditions" health clauses if you don't pay within ten days of your FIRST payment to the provider. Many posters here think that good words about a single brand is enough to choose an insurance company. But if you do not read every word of the 24 (?) page policy, you will be buying a Pig In A Poke.