Royal Caribbean is expanding its travel insurance coverage to provide travelers with more protection at sea. 

The cruise line's enhanced policy means guests will enjoy increased coverage — all with no increase in the plan's pricing. 

"We have some great news about your Royal Caribbean Travel Protection. As a thank-you for sailing with us and purchasing coverage, we've increased your benefit limits...," reads an email sent to guests.

"And the best part? You get these enhanced benefits at no additional cost. Your plan price is not changing—you're simply getting more coverage for the journey ahead."

(Credit: Savana Barnett / Facebook)

Travelers who have already purchased Royal Caribbean's Travel Protection will automatically receive the enhanced protection, and travelers will also continue to receive the plan's current benefits, including 24/7 emergency support and coverage for trip interruptions.

What changed about Royal Caribbean's cruise travel insurance?

Previously, Royal Caribbean's insurance only covered up to $25,000 in Emergency Sickness and Emergency Medical Coverage. Under the enhanced policy, travelers will have greater financial protection — up to $100,000 — for unexpected illnesses or medical emergencies that occur during their cruise vacation. 

Additionally, Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage increased from $50,000 to $500,000. The extra $450,000 in coverage is especially valuable given the high costs associated with medical evacuations at sea and in international destinations.

Finally, coverage for Baggage & Personal Effects was increased from $1,500 to $3,000. Although a modest jump, the higher limit offers travelers additional peace of mind and greater reimbursement potential should something happen to their belongings during their cruise trip. 

Should you buy Royal Caribbean's travel insurance?

Royal Caribbean's enhanced Travel Protection plan is better than it was before, with higher limits for emergency medical care, medical evacuations, and baggage coverage.

Now, the updated coverage limits are also more closely aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) estimates for how much a medical evacuation can cost.

Not only that, but Royal Caribbean's Travel Protection has a bigger buffer, with its Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage coming in at roughly double the estimated $250,000 cost often cited by the CDC.

Recently, a Royal Caribbean cruiser traveling aboard Radiance of the Seas had to be evacuated from the ship because they needed more care than the medical center could provide. At first, they were transported to a hospital in Nassau before being airlifted back to the United States. 

According to the passenger's post on the Royal Caribbean Blog Discussion Forum, they were charged $3,100 for treatment aboard the cruise ship, along with another whopping $126,000 for the medical evacuation from The Bahamas to Florida. 

This case highlights why the cruise line's expanded coverage is so important. With medical evacuations easily reaching into the six-figure range, even on short flights from Nassau to South Florida, a single emergency can create significant financial strain without travel insurance protection. 

Khiali Baxter, another traveler, was slapped with a $4,000 medical bill after she began throwing up blood and losing consciousness on her cruise — and that's just for services in the ship's medical facility. 

She was transferred off the ship to a hospital in Costa Maya, Mexico, where she racked up an additional $9,000 in treatment care to help stabilize her. 

Unfortunately, Baxter didn't know about the hefty out-of-pocket costs associated with international medical care and decided against travel insurance, which was one of her biggest regrets. 

Travel insurance also provides peace of mind if something travel-related happens during your vacation, too. For example, if your baggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can be reimbursed for essential items and the value of your belongings (to a certain extent). 

Additionally, you can get reimbursed if you start your vacation late because of delayed flights or other unforeseen circumstances, like natural disasters. Travel insurance is even more important during hurricane season for that reason. 

Of note, although Royal Caribbean sells the insurance policy, all the benefits are administered by Aon Affinity and underwritten by Arch Insurance Company. 

Passengers don't have to purchase the cruise line's travel protection policy to board a Royal Caribbean cruise. Instead, travelers are free to shop around with other vendors, such as Allianz and Travelex. If you are a frequent traveler, you might benefit from an annual policy, rather than buying individual ones for each trip. 

However, it is your responsibility to carefully compare coverage limits, exclusions, and benefits since not all travel insurance plans offer the same level of protection for medical emergencies and evacuations.

Nobody wants to think about their long-awaited vacation coming to a screeching halt because of a sudden illness. However, life doesn't slow down even when we're miles out at sea. 

If you get sick on a cruise ship, the severity of your illness will determine whether you can be treated in the onboard medical center or require an urgent medical evacuation.

Either way, you are looking at a situation that can become very costly very quickly. For example, medical evacuations can cost upward of $250,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

One recent passenger shared their experience being medically evacuated from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The person, who goes by Ditchdoc on the Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum website, described how the sudden onset of dizziness and shortness of breath quickly developed into a life-threatening situation. 

"On the morning of the fifth day of a seven-day cruise [the Radiance of the Seas ship] was in Nassau Bahamas. I went to the gym around 7 AM even though I was feeling a little rough. I had been dealing with sinus issues, and I had [a] few drinks the previous evening. After only 2 or 3 minutes of lifting some light weights, I became dizzy and short of breath," they began. 

"I left the gym and found a nearby deck chair to sit on for a few minutes. I went back to our cabin to [lie] down... [A]fter about an hour I had a bowel movement that is commonly called 'a dark, tarry stool.' I have 25 years' experience as a paramedic and 13 years' experience as a nurse, and I recognized at this point I had an upper GI bleed. That is, I was losing blood, probably in my stomach."

Ditchdoc did not want to frighten his wife and assumed that since the cruise was almost over, the issue could be dealt with when they returned home. He also wanted to avoid going to the ship's medical center, knowing the visit would likely be expensive. 

Instead, he skipped a planned shore excursion and stayed back to rest, but by the time she returned that afternoon, his condition had worsened.

"She got back about 2 in the afternoon, and I walked up one flight of stairs to the Windjammer. Again, I was dizzy and out of breath and could barely get to a chair to sit down and I had no appetite. We went back to the cabin where I had another black-looking bowel movement... My wife called 911, yes, that is what you call on the ship, and convinced the person on the other end [that] they needed to come to our cabin, he continues. 

After a brief check-up in his stateroom, where it was discovered that one of his symptoms was a resting heart rate of around 110, the two first responders and the security officer determined he needed to be seen in the medical center.

His time in the medical center was brief 

Once in the medical center, Ditchdoc explained his symptoms, and the doctor ordered a CBC (complete blood count) test and chest x-ray. 

The results revealed that his hemoglobin was at 6.8, whereas the typical hemoglobin for a healthy adult male is around 14 to 16. This quickly explained why he was feeling dizzy and short of breath, escalating the emergency medical condition. 

"The primary treatment would be administering units of whole blood via an IV and a[n] esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD. An EGD is a tube with a camera inserted through the mouth, into the stomach to look for and correct any bleeding. It is usually done by a gastrointestinal specialist," he says. 

"What could be done in the [ship's] medical center was start [an] IV to help replace fluid loss. This helps increase blood pressure even if it does not increase oxygen. Next they hung a drip of protonix which reduces stomach acid and improves clotting and finally they pushed tranexamic acid (TXA) via IV to counteract the anti-clotting effects of blood thinners like the aspirin I take on a regular basis."

Ditchdoc was thankful for the treatment on the ship, which he thinks was instrumental in slowing down and stopping the internal bleeding. However, without access to whole blood or the specialized testing needed to determine blood type, there was little choice but to transfer him off the ship to a larger medical facility that could provide the care he needed. 

"By now, the ship had two doctors and four nurses involved in addition to upper management in Guest Relations, a Care Team and Security," he recalls. 

"At this point, the ship had already departed Nassau Bahamas about an hour earlier. The next port had no medical facilities at all. The ship turned around and went back to Nassau." 

The hospital in Nassau allegedly did not provide great care

Royal Caribbean assigned two crew members to help Ditchdoc's wife quickly pack up their cabin, along with a crew member who disembarked the ship and acted as a personal assistant and escort. 

"[She helped my wife] with anything she [needed] including meals, [a] hotel and such. She would eventually pay her own way but having someone assist with our hastily packed luggage, who was familiar with Nassau, was generous and helpful. There was no charge for this assistance," he says.

He was disembarked on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance, observing people on the top decks and balconies watching the scene unfold in real-time. 

"Initially they were quiet until I raised my hand and [waved] at which point they broke out into cheering," Ditchdoc adds. 

He was transported to the Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, where he spent the next roughly 15 hours receiving minimal treatment. 

"I was placed on an ambulance style cot with no sheet, pillow or blanket. A few of the staff there showed some compassion but mostly they did not seem to care whether I was there or not," he alleges. 

"About 1 AM, my wife who had gone to a local hotel with the help of the Royal Caribbean Care Team Member, called me to let me know an air evacuation had been arranged. This was probably the best call I ever received in my life."

He was medically evacuated from The Bahamas to South Florida

Royal Caribbean coordinated the air evacuation through Offshore Medical Logistics. The doctor in charge of the air evacuation confirmed that the flight would arrive at noon, and the medical team would bring whole blood. 

"At a time when I was not sure just what the future held in terms of getting proper treatment, Royal Caribbean staff had once again stepped up and provided exactly what was needed even though I was no longer on the ship," he remarks. 

"On schedule, the air evacuation team arrived. Before we could leave my wife had to pay almost $1,000 for various 'treatments' I never got... [Once] we left the building the air crew (a nurse and a paramedic) immediately started a unit of whole blood. Another bumpy ride in an old ambulance to the airport and shortly we (my wife and I) were in the air on the way back [to] the United States about 2PM."

Ditchdoc was transferred to Broward County Hospital by 5 p.m. for further treatment, and shortly after his arrival, he saw a doctor and several nurses, along with a patient advocate. He also had blood drawn, an additional IV started, antibiotics administered, and tests scheduled, with arrangements made for admission to a private room in the medical-surgical unit.

Royal Caribbean managed to get the couple's luggage back to the U.S.

In addition to the medical care itself, Royal Caribbean also helped the couple manage their luggage under extreme time pressure.

"It was just too much and too heavy to include on the medical evacuation flight, a small Lear 35 twin engine jet. The Royal Caribbean Care Team Member [who] had been so instrumental in taking care of my wife's needs made sure our luggage was transferred to the next available Royal Caribbean ship departing Nassau, coming back to the US," he explains. 

"This happened to be Symphony of the Seas returning to Port Miami two days after I was discharged from the hospital."

Always buy travel insurance

Ditchdoc was charged $3,100 for treatment aboard the cruise ship, along with nearly $1,000 by the hospital in Nassau. However, he expects both to be reimbursed by their travel insurance policy, in addition to the hotel stay and necessary food purchases. 

The most costly expense was the medical evacuation, which cost over $120,000. 

"I just found out what the air evacuation bill was. Are you sitting down? A bit over 126k. I was only off by an order of magnitude or so," he commented on the discussion forum thread. 

Is there such a thing as being too old to go on a cruise?

While cruise lines have minimum age restrictions, there's no set age when you're banned from setting sail. In fact, cruising is often the preferred way to travel for seniors and retirees, who appreciate the convenience and comfort that ships offer. 

According to the Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2025 State of the Industry Report, 81% of Baby Boomers (i.e., those born between 1946 and 1964) are enthusiastic about taking a cruise vacation. The same generation is spending around $157 billion annually on travel. 

That said, seniors face increased health risks while traveling, and the possibility of a life-threatening medical issue occurring at sea increases as you age. 

To better understand the risks and considerations for older cruisers, we spoke with Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance comparison site. In this article, we'll go over their insights into how age can impact travel planning, the types of coverage seniors should purchase, and tips for cruising when you're older. 

Understanding the age requirement for cruise travel

Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, do not have a maximum age limit of any kind. As such, choosing a cruise should be a decision made in consultation with a healthcare professional. 

To determine whether it's safe for you to cruise or not, it's important to understand the risks of traveling internationally. If a medical emergency happens in another country, access to care may be limited, and treatment could be costly or more complicated than at home.

"Travel insurance coverage often becomes more important as travelers age. Older cruisers are typically more likely to experience medical issues while traveling, whether it’s a new issue or a pre-existing condition, and medical care while at sea can be costly. This is where travel insurance can help, protecting seniors from unexpected medical costs they could encounter due to injury or illness while on their cruise," Squaremouth explains. 

To that point, older sailors need to find a travel insurance plan that has a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver. A pre-existing medical condition is any medical condition that has been diagnosed, changed, or treated in the last 60-180 days, depending on the plan. Without the waiver, you're responsible for any medical bills or unused trip expenses that are related to the pre-existing health challenges. 

"Timing is very important for any travel insurance benefits, especially for seniors. If you wait too long to buy your policy after booking your trip, you may not be eligible for pre-existing condition coverage, and your medical conditions could be excluded," Squaremouth says. 

To qualify for this coverage, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Buy a policy with pre-existing condition coverage within a specific time frame (typically within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit, depending on the plan)
• Insure 100% of your prepaid trip costs, such as flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and excursions
• Be medically able to travel at the time you buy coverage

It's also important to look at the age requirements, as some providers do enforce age maximums. Squaremouth claims that travel insurance premiums often increase with the traveler's age due to the higher possibility of health-related challenges. As such, it's not uncommon for seniors to pay more for their travel insurance coverage compared to younger travelers, even for the exact same policy.

According to Squaremouth's 2026 Cruise Insurance Cost Report, cruise insurance costs begin to spike after age 50 and peak at age 70. Consequently, travelers over 70 years old can expect to pay 311% more on their cruise insurance policy compared to those under 50.

Does Medicare cover you on a cruise ship?

"Most U.S. health insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover medical expenses while traveling abroad. This highlights the importance of travel insurance for international cruises, since medical care expenses that occur while cruising would be your responsibility to pay without a travel insurance plan," says Squaremouth. 

"While there are exceptions (e.g., emergency care in a foreign country when closer than a U.S. facility), standard Medicare does not provide comprehensive protection abroad. However, Medicare can cover the costs of treatment on domestic cruises."

Read more: This Medicare mistake leaves seniors uncovered on cruises, experts say

Best cruise travel insurance for seniors

Cruise insurance is absolutely worth it, regardless of your age. When browsing travel insurance plans, Squaremouth recommends that seniors look for a policy that has the following protections and coverage levels:

• Emergency medical coverage of at least $100,000 to cover costs associated with illness and injury while traveling
• Medical evacuation coverage of at least $250,000 to pay for and arrange transport to a proper medical facility if necessary
• Pre‑existing condition coverage if you have existing medical conditions that may cause an issue while traveling
• Primary medical coverage to ensure a faster, more efficient claims process

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical evacuations can cost upward of $250,000. Yet, Squaremouth found that 35% of travelers are underinsured for medical evacuation, buying less than $250,000 in coverage.

For example, Royal Caribbean's standard travel insurance policy only includes up to $25,000 in emergency accident medical coverage and $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage — well under the $100,000 and $250,000 recommended by Squaremouth. 

"Medical evacuations off of cruise ships are more common than travelers may think. During my time as Director of Operations at Jet ICU, I led a team of medical evacuation dispatchers and managed account relationships with domestic cruise lines. In my role, I was coordinating at least one medical evacuation per day off of a cruise ship within the Caribbean alone," Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth recalls. 

If you are underinsured, you’ll need to cover the remaining cost of an emergency medical evacuation. Without any coverage, you would be fully responsible for the entire expense.

Before buying a policy, it's smart to compare providers and products side-by-side. Squaremouth's website can help you find plans specifically designed for seniors, understand possible age limits, and review how your premium may be impacted by your age so you can select the proper coverage.

Read more: I took my 64-year-old mom on a cruise

One woman's first cruise turned into a nightmare when she was slapped with a $13,000 medical bill after she began throwing up blood and losing consciousness.

Khiali Baxter was two days into her first-ever Royal Caribbean cruise with her boyfriend when she began feeling unwell. 

"So, I woke up. I started throwing up blood, unfortunately, and I had passed out on the ground," Baxter told KHOU 11, "I could feel myself kind of going in and out of consciousness. I was very cold and terrified."

She was taken to the ship's medical facility, then transported to a hospital four hours away from the cruise port in Costa Maya — but not before waiting four hours onboard and racking up a $4,000 bill.

(Credit: Jennifer Brown/GoFundMe)

While at the hospital, Baxter received over $9,000 in medical care, including several different procedures to help stabilize her.

However, before they would treat her, the staff asked Baxter's family for payment. Baxter's father, Craig, recalled the conversation with a hospital employee in an interview with KHOU 11, saying they'd work as far as $2,500 would take them.

"I've never heard this in my life," he said. 

(Credit: KHOU 11)

Back in Texas, Baxter's parents were scrambling to secure emergency passports to travel to Mexico. 

The last-minute flights and accommodations weren't cheap, but they were not going to leave their daughter in a foreign hospital. 

Travel insurance would have made a huge difference

(Credit: Jennifer Brown/GoFundMe)

Baxter was unaware of the steep out-of-pocket costs associated with international medical care and decided against travel insurance. 

"It was a very, very scary experience, and my main thing that I do want to say is that I really wish I would’ve gotten travel insurance," Baxter said.

Travel insurance is a valuable but often overlooked safety net. Although it might seem like an avoidable expense, it's one of those things you don't want to use but are thankful for when you need it. 

Read more: Travel insurance for a cruise: Why you need it for a Royal Caribbean cruise

(Credit: Jennifer Brown/GoFundMe)

A good insurance policy provides peace of mind in case of unexpected medical emergencies at sea. In Baxter's case, it would have helped recoup some of the expensive treatments she received, such as an endoscopy, colonoscopy, and blood transfusion. 

Even though Baxter didn't have insurance, a family friend set up a GoFundMe. Over 160 generous donors have helped raise $14,138, or roughly 88% of the $16,000 goal. 

Still, the family wants to share Baxter's story in hopes that it prepares others for the unexpected, especially when traveling far from home.

Travel insurance also helps cover things like lost luggage, travel delays, medical evacuations, and more. As such, the small upfront cost is worth the protection it provides during a costly emergency. 

"It was an eye-opening experience that I hope prepares other young people," Craig Baxter said.

Unfortunately, Baxter isn't the only cruiser to be hit with a large medical bill 

Vincent Wasney and his fiancée, Sarah Eberlein, were cruising on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas when Wasney began suffering from a series of seizures. However, before the couple was allowed to disembark, they had to pay over $2,500 in medical bills.

As reported by KFF Health News and NPR, Eberlein heard Wasney make a pained noise before he had his first seizure. Blood began spilling from his mouth as a result of him accidentally biting his tongue.

Wasney's second seizure caused him to stop breathing, while the third seizure, characterized as a grand mal seizure, was even more severe. 

The vessel was close enough to their disembarkation port in Florida, so they could disembark early via rescue boat — but not before paying a $2,500.22 medical bill. 

The charges included $2,285.78 for general ward admission and observation, along with $97.99 for an i-STAT blood test, $104.55 for out-of-facility services, and $11.90 for medication.

Read more: Man was sick on a cruise and was hit with a big bill before being sent home

A woman claimed she was on a Royal Caribbean cruise and had an allergic reaction to something she ate, but then refused to pay the high price for medication onboard.

The woman posted a video on TikTok of her swollen face and disdain for the price the cruise ship's medical facility wanted to charge her.

"I've been on the boat for ... not even the full 24 hours and my face is swollen," she said as she took her sunglasses.

She did not say what she ate the triggered the reaction.  She said she said she went to the medical center on her vessel and was told it would cost $390 for Benadryl.

"They do have it, but it costs $390 for them to give me Benadryl," she said.

Cruise ship medical bays have doctors and nurses onboard, and it's effectively a mini urgent care location to treat and triage minor issues.  For major medical issues, the passenger will be taken off the ship to get treatment back on land.

For medical care onboard, they don't accept any insurance.  You have to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed after the cruise by either your own medical insurance or a travel insurance policy.

Unfortunately, most medical insurance plans don't cover cruise ships because they're outside of their country. 

Luckily for this woman, she said at the end of the video she managed to get Benadryl from another passenger on the ship.

Fierce opinions

The comments for this woman's video exploded with opinions on the matter, as many had differing thoughts of what she should have done in this situation.

Many cruisers talked about how they bring all sorts of over-the-counter medications on vacation with them.

"I take the whole medicine cabinet with me on a cruise because I refuse!," said Deneanne Nicole.

Others recommended asking other passengers, who may have done just that.

"Girl. Go ask folks on the boat. Especially veteran cruisers. They have everything," said Baezivy.

Txfynest recommended, "Go on the Facebook travel group for your boat and ask the group hopefully you’ll be ok till yall port and get something."

Some viewers realized the need to plan ahead as a result of the video, "this is a learning experience for all of us. I need to take meds on my next cruise" gabrielabutcallmegaby commented.

Most of the comments centered around being prepared and bringing the right medications with you, just in case.

In fact, one of the top things cruisers shared they regretted not packing was over-the-counter medication.

No one wants to get sick on vacation, but it happens.

Whether you simply catch a head cold or you have a mild allergic reaction to a bug bite, having a variety of over-the-counter medication can make all the difference. 

The importance of travel insurance

The real debate topic was the importance of travel insurance and how they would have handled the situation.

Toneee22 shared their experience when something similar happened, "I fainted on a cruise was taken 2 the infirmary & my bill came 2 $600. I paid the bill before I left & sent it 2 my insurance company. They reimbursed me $570, so my out of pocket was only the co-pay."

Christina Sanford Hamilton added, "I have travel insurance. Buy it annually and I always take two bags of meds and bathroom stuff."

Travel insurance is technically optional, but it ought to be a must-buy for travelers going on a cruise vacation.

A basic policy from Allianz costs $37 per plan and covers:

• Flight, hotel, and vacation-rental cancellations
• Meal and transportation expenses during delays
• Rental-car insurance
• Medical expenses, including evacuations

The exact cost will depend on how long the trip is, the age of the cruisers, add-on coverages, and other considerations.

Travel insurance also covers you for a last-minute need to cancel a cruise, such as a death in the family or loss of a job.

The best way to compare insurance plans is to go through a travel insurance aggregator. 

My two favorite options are InsureMyTrip.com and TravelInsurance.com. 

Both charge you nothing extra to use their services, so it's free to browse. Plus, they offer ways to compare specific plans from different travel insurance companies against each other.

You probably won't actually need the travel insurance, but if you do, you never want to be in a situation where you're debating getting the health care you need versus the out of pocket costs.

If you are planning on purchasing travel insurance through Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises, they are raising the price of their policy effective June 1, 2023. 

Royal Caribbean sent out an email to travel agents warning them of the change.

"Dear valued Travel Partner," the email starts, "From time to time, we evaluate the product offering and pricing. As you may know, the plan cost is based upon your clients’ total trip cost (referred to as Total Protected Vacation Cost)."

"Effective June 1, 2023, the price of our Travel Protection product will increase for most guests, specifically when your clients’ Total Protected Vacation Cost is less than $8,000."

While the price of the product is increasing, there are no changes being made to the product itself. 

How much will the insurance policy cost?

There are 32 different price points for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity's insurance, all of which are based on the total vacation cost:

• $0 - $250: $39
• $251 - $500: $49
• $501 - $750: $69
•  $751 - $1,000: $79
• $1,001 - $1,250: $109
• $1,251 - $1,500: $119
• $1,501 - $2,000: $149
• $2,001 - $2,500: $199
• $2,501 - $3,000: $239
• $3,001 - $3,500: $289
• $3,501 - $4,000: $339
• $4,001 - $4,500: $389
• $4,501 - $5,000: $439
• $5,001 - $5,500: $489
• $5,501 - $6,000: $539

• $6,001 - $6,500: $599
• $6,501 - $7,000: $639
• $7,501 - $8,000: $739
• $8,001 - $8,500: $829
• $8,501 - $9,000: $879
• $9,001 - $9,500: $929
• $9,501 - $10,000: $979
• $10,001 - $10,500: $999
• $10,501 - $11,000: $1,099
• $11,001 - $11,500: $1,199
• $11,501 - $12,000: $1,299
• $12,001 - $12,500: $1,399
• $12,501 - $13,000: $1,499
• $13,001 - $13,500: $1,599
• $13,501- $14,000: $1,699
• Greater than $14,001: $1,799

What does the policy protect?

There are three primary components of the travel plan. 

The first is the Cancellation Penalty Waiver, which allows guests to cancel their vacation for specified reasons. It also includes a "Cancel for Any Reason Credit" that can be added for an additional cost.  

The second component is comprised of the benefits of the travel insurance that is underwritten by Arch Insurance Company: 

• Trip Interruption: Up to 150% of total trip cost if you can't start or finish your cruise vacation because you're sick or hurt, there's a death in the family or another covered reason.
• Trip Delay: Up to $2,000 ($250 per day) for catch-up expenses
• Missed Connection: Up to $300 if you miss your trip departure for covered reasons by three hours or more. 
• Accident and Sickness Medical: up to $25,000 if you get hurt and $25,000 if you get sick on your cruise vacation.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $50,000 if you need emergency medical transportation during your vacation. 
• Baggage Protection and Delay: Up to $1,500 if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged and up to $500 to buy necessary personal items if your bags are delayed.

Finally, you will get worldwide emergency assistance provided by On Call International. 

What does travel insurance not cover?

There are some things that Royal Caribbean's policy will not cover, such as Cancel for Any Reason. 

This is an addition that can be purchased separately by contacting 1-888-722-2195. If you booked through a travel agent, they will be able to assist you if this is something you are interested in.

Per the policy's contract, "This additional enhancement is offered by Royal Caribbean International as a special service to guests that purchase this cruise ticket Cancellation Penalty Waiver Addendum...Credits are valid for one year from issue date, are not transferable, and have no cash value."

"To be eligible for the credits: 1. The travel protection plan must be purchased prior to having made final payment for the cruise; and 2. Notification of cancellation must be given to Royal Caribbean International prior to the ship's departure."

"Once you’ve cancelled with Royal Caribbean International, please contact the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program Help Line at 1-800-453-4022 or 1-516-342- 7262 regarding cruise credits. Please note that AIR2SEA components are not subject to this cruise credit feature."

Additionally, the insurance policy will not reimburse you for inclement weather or cancelled ports of call.

If, for instance, you book a Western Caribbean cruise but find that the itinerary has been altered to an Eastern Caribbean one; the policy will not provide any compensation. 

Also, the policy's fine print states that benefits are not payable for any loss due to, arising from, or resulting from pre-existing conditions; war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies; or being intoxicated or under the influence of any controlled substance unless taken as administered or prescribed by a physician. 

If you are worried about something not being covered, you should read the fine print prior to purchasing the policy. 

What happens if I have already paid for insurance?

If you have already added travel insurance to your booking, you will not be required to pay the difference in pricing. 

That is, however, unless a certain event triggers a change. This could be a change in ship or sailing date, the addition of a promotion, or when the booking moves from offered to booked status, among other events.

Why should you consider travel insurance for your next cruise?

Travel insurance is not included in the cost of your cruise fare, meaning that you will need to factor it into your cruise budget. 

The purpose of insurance is meant to provide peace of mind in the unlikely event that an unexpected event occurs before, during, or after your trip and protects you against any major financial losses. 

Let's say that you booked your flight for the day before the cruise was scheduled to depart. Unfortunately, it was cancelled, and the airline was unable to rebook you on another flight that would guarantee an on-time arrival. 

The insurance plan would help cover some of the associated costs of rebooking and/or meeting up with the ship at the first port of call. 

Additionally, many passengers partake in active activities while on a cruise, whether they are onboard or ashore. Active activities come with a risk, and you can never predict if you will need medical attentional due to an accident.

Note that those residing in New York are ineligible for Royal Caribbean's insurance during booking. A policy can be added after the fact through travelcruisecare.com. This applies to Celebrity sailings, too. 

Related: Should you buy annual travel insurance plans?

It is impossible to predict the future, and that includes accidents, delays and other unforeseen circumstances.  That is why it is so important to invest in travel insurance to cover your cruise vacation.

We have a brand new video to share with you, that looks at the important reasons to buy a travel insurance plan for your next Royal Caribbean cruise. It is not too late!

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: Why do you typically purchase travel insurance for your cruise?