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Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance - 2024 Review
Norwegian cruise travel insurance.
- Available at Check-Out
- Strong Insurance Partner
- Good Cancellation Protection
- Incredibly Expensive
- Totally Inadequate Medical Cover
- Very Poor Medical Evacuation Cover
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Norwegian cruise line was founded in 1966 and is the third largest cruise line in the world. Norwegian currently operates 17 ships and has plans to release 6 more soon. For their 17 fleets, Norwegian offers BookSafe Travel Protection.
In our Norwegian Cruise Travel (NCL) Insurance Review, we will run through the different trip insurance options that Norwegian offers and compare them against the wider travel insurance market.
First, let’s review the critical reasons to buy cruise travel insurance, to explain the logic behind some of our recommendations.
Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance on Check-Out
For our review, we have two 62-year-old travelers going on a three-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. The total cost for the cruise came in at $1,102.76 for the two passengers.
As we get towards the check-out page, we are encouraged to buy Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance. The exact image of what was presented is shown below. We are offered not one, but two cruise travel insurance options – ‘Platinum’ and ‘Standard’.
Don’t I Need to Buy Cruise Travel Insurance when I Buy My Cruise?
Every travel insurance policy has some ‘Time-Sensitive Benefits’ that are enabled when a traveler buys trip insurance within a short period of time after their initial trip deposit. This Time-Sensitive Period is normally 10-21 days. Generally, you have a couple of weeks to check out different trip insurance options. Get quotes from a few different travel insurance carriers to compare prices and benefits.
The main reason we want to get our cruise travel insurance in place sooner rather than later is that we get cancellation benefits once our travel insurance policy is in place.
Cruise Travel Insurance – Three Critical Benefits
Irrespective whether you buy Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance, or buy a different travel insurance, there are three critical benefits that you really need to have in place.
- Cruise Cancellation Protection
Travel Medical Health Insurance
- Medical Evacuation Coverage
Norwegian Cruise Cancellation Insurance Protection
Every comprehensive trip insurance policy has cancellation benefits built in. When we refer to ‘Cruise’ travel insurance, we really do mean regular, comprehensive travel insurance. Every major travel insurance carrier has comprehensive trip insurance policies that will support you if you are traveling on a cruise ship, by rail, or by aircraft. It doesn’t matter to the travel insurance carrier what type of vacation you are enjoying. So don’t get caught up in buying a travel insurance policy with ‘Cruise’ in the title.
Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance is referred to by Norwegian as ‘Booksafe Travel Protection’, so even Norwegian does not worry about including ‘Cruise’ in the title of their coverage. Every trip and cruise insurance policy will have basic cancellation protection that should offer a 100% refund for the following types of events:
- Accident, illness, or death of you, a traveling partner, business partner, or family member • Jury duty • Legal appearance • Traffic accident en route to airport • Death or hospitalization of your host at your travel destination • Weather • Bankruptcy of your travel provider
On a cruise, death or hospitalization of a host at destination is not relevant. But bankruptcy of your travel provider is important. Norwegian’s does NOT include bankruptcy protection, so please be careful on this.
These events happen rarely, which is why travel insurance policies include basic trip cancellation coverage for little cost. Many of us, however, will want additional travel cancellation protection.
NCL Cancellation Protection – Work
Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance does a good job in offering us a 100% refund if we are terminated or laid off from full-time employment by our company. This assumes that the reason for the lay-off is no fault of our own. This is good coverage from Norwegian – only one year of continuous employment is required. Most airline policies, for example, require three years of continuous employment, so Norwegian does a good job in this respect.
However, what is missing with Norwegian’s policy is protection if our work vacation is cancelled. Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance offers no vacation cancellation protection, and we consider this as a significant weakness for anyone who requires approval to go on vacation. Strong Cancel for Work Reasons Travel Insurance would incorporate this coverage. Norwegian Travel Insurance does not, so please beware.
There is one higher level of cancellation protection than Cancel for Work – it is called Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance.
Norwegian Cruise Cancellation Protection – Cancel for Any Reason
If you buy Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance, you will get Norwegian's version of Cancel for Any Reason protection built in. It is not, strictly, insurance, as you will not get your money back if you cancel. You will get a credit to be used for future cruises, which is a pretty good substitute.
Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance offers two alternatives – Platinum or Standard. Standard will provide a credit of 75% of your funds if you cancel your cruise with Norwegian. You can then use these funds for a future cruise. Platinum offers a 90% credit. The coverage is expensive, but travelers may well benefit from it. A sensible alternative to Norwegian’s Cancel for Any Reason coverage would be the Cancel for Any Reason protection that is embedded into many Comprehensive Travel Insurance policies. We will show a few alternatives later in this article.
Travel Medical Health Insurance is one of the most critical pieces of trip insurance that any traveler can have. It is essential, in our opinion. International private hospitals are not cheap and can often cost $3k to $4k per day. For this reason, we recommend that a traveler leaving the USA have at least $100k of Travel Medical Health Insurance in place.
Decent medical coverage is not expensive! Indeed, you will see this $100k figure in almost every comprehensive travel insurance available in the wider US market. The only time we are comfortable with less than $100k of travel medical insurance coverage is if the traveler has alternative insurance in place that the travel insurance can supplement. If you have any doubt - stick to $100k of Travel Medical Insurance coverage in any Travel Insurance, you buy.
Let’s look at all the coverage levels from Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance. The price we see below is that quoted to us for our $1,102.76 cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Insurance Coverage - **Platinum**
$250 / Stateroom
- Trip cancellation or interruption for a covered reason - Total NCL vacation cost
- Trip Delay - $500
- Emergency Evacuation - $50,000
- Accidental Medical Expense - $20,000
- Sickness Medical Expense - $20,000
- Baggage / Personal Effects - $3,000
- Enhanced Cancellation Protection provided by NCL - 90% cruise credit
Norwegian Cruise Insurance Coverage - **Standard**
$130 / Stateroom
- Emergency Evacuation - $25,000
- Baggage / Personal Effects - $1,500
- Enhanced Cancellation Protection provided by NCL - 75% cruise credit
The Norwegian Standard plan offers $20k in medical insurance. Norwegian Platinum Cruise coverage offers the same benefit, which is inadequate for an unforeseen medical emergency.
Cruise Insurance 101 Travel Insurance Marketplace
It’s relatively simple to get alternative travel insurance options for your Norwegian Cruise. In fact, we need only one minute of your time. At Cruise Insurance 101 , give us your travel details, and we share them anonymously with our Travel Insurance Carriers. You get a series of quotes, showing you rates and coverage levels, from some of the most respected Travel Insurance Carriers in the USA. We only work with carriers who have ‘A’ ratings from A.M. Best, and customer service levels that we are happy to recommend.
AIG Travel Guard Plus Insurance
One of our favorite low-cost travel insurance policies is the AIG Travel Guard Plus plan. Here are the protection levels incorporated into the policy.
Time-Sensitive Benefits • Cancel for Any Reason: 0% refund • Cancel for Work Reason: 100% refund • Preexisting Waiver: Yes • Time Sensitive Period: 21 days • Free Look Period: 15 days • Preexisting Look Back: 180 days Regular Benefits • Medical Coverage: Primary • Hospital of Choice: No • Covered Cancellation: 100% refund • Financial Default: Yes • Medical Sickness: $100,000 • Medical Evacuation: $1,000,000.
This travel insurance from AIG comes in at $78.44 for our two travelers. Yet, it has $100k of Travel Medical Health Insurance embedded into it. Let’s look now at our final piece of critical coverage – medical evacuation insurance.
Travel Medical Evacuation Insurance
Sometimes an accident or illness is so severe that a medical evacuation is necessary. We want to get the patient to the most suitable medical facility to treat them, and oftentimes this is not going to be in a small port city of an underdeveloped country. A medical evacuation can involve specially equipped private jets with associated doctors and nurses on board. A near-shore evacuation can cost $100k - $250k. An evacuation from Asia or Africa can easily cost $500k. These are the minimum levels of coverage that we ever recommend to a traveler. There is simply no logical reason in taking less protection than this.
Norwegian Medical Evacuation Coverage
So, what Travel Medical Evacuation coverage does Norwegian provide in its two policies?
- Standard - $25k
- Platinum - $50k
What level of medical evacuation coverage do we see in a low-cost travel insurance?
- AIG Travel Guard Plus - $1,000,000
Again, this is a massive increase in protection from what is one of our cheapest policies. The Norwegian Cruise Insurance is totally inadequate in this regard.
Cancel for Work and Cancel for Any Reason
Where the AIG Travel Guard Policy also rates well is that it offers work vacation cancellation protection. If your previously approved vacation is cancelled, AIG will provide a 100% refund of your non-refundable costs. From such a low-cost travel insurance policy, that is a great benefit. Remember, Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance does not provide this protection.
If you would like a policy with the optional benefit of Cancel for Any Reason trip cancellation protection, the Travel Insured WorldWide Trip Protector Plan is a great option.
It incorporates true Cancel for Any Reason protection. We say ‘true’ coverage, because if you need to cancel for any reason not normally covered by your other policy benefits, the insurer will write you a check for 75% of your trip costs. Cash is better than credit.
Here are the policy benefits:
Time-Sensitive Benefits
- Cancel for Any Reason: 75% refund
- Cancel for Work Reason: 100% refund
- Pre-Existing Waiver: Yes
- Time Sensitive Period: 21 days
- Free Look Period: 14 days
- Pre-Existing Look Back: 60 days
Regular Benefits
- Medical Coverage: Primary
- Hospital of Choice: Yes
- Covered Cancellation: 100% refund
- Financial Default: Yes
- Medical Sickness: $100,000
- Medical Evacuation: $1,000,000
Evacuation benefits are 50 times as much as Norwegian Cruise coverage. Medical coverage is five times as much. Travel Insured’s Medical coverage is Primary; Norwegian’s is Secondary. All this coverage costs 14% LESS than Norwegian’s Platinum coverage!
Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance Review – Conclusion
Norwegian offers two policies that are expensive, with little in the way of critical protection for some of the most expensive risks. We consider the policies that Norwegian offers to be unsuitable for almost all travelers. There are many other options available to cruise customers by searching within the wider travel insurance market. We rate Norwegian Cruise Line insurance a 7 out of 10.
Cruise Travel Insurance in the USA
The US has one of the most significant travel insurance markets on earth. At Cruise Insurance 101 we take the leading Trip Insurance Carriers and place them in our marketplace. We offer you at least a dozen alternative policies from these leading insurers. The rates we show are the same as if you had gone direct to every travel insurer yourself. We do not mark up prices. In fact, US anti-discrimination law prevents such practices . As such, we can guarantee that you cannot buy the same policy at a lower rate.
Have questions? Chat with us online, send us an email at [email protected] or alternatively call us at +1(786) 751-2984 . We would love to hear from you.
Safe Travels
This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.
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Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know Before Setting Sail
Last Updated: November 4, 2024 — 5 min read
Are you planning a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)? How exciting! From exploring breathtaking fjords to enjoying the entertainment onboard, your vacation promises to be memorable. But before you set sail, there’s one crucial thing to consider: travel insurance.
Particularly cruise insurance with Norwegian. While Norwegian Cruise Line offers insurance options, like Booksafe Travel Protection Plan , buying third-party travel insurance could provide more comprehensive coverage tailored to your needs.
This guide will explain the benefits of Norwegian Cruise Line travel insurance so you can make an informed decision and ensure you have the best protection for your journey.
Why You Need Travel Insurance for Your NCL
When booking a cruise ship trip, you’re likely investing significant time, energy, and money into your experience. Cruise-specific risks, such as trip delays , emergency medical transportation, baggage delays , and weather disruptions, can arise, potentially derailing your dream vacation. A comprehensive travel insurance plan ensures peace of mind, covering unexpected events and safeguarding your investment, giving you the confidence to enjoy your journey fully.
Anticipating Potential Risks on Your Cruise:
- Trip Cancellations or Interruptions : A cruise cancellation can cost thousands, whether due to illness, severe weather, or other unexpected life events. While Norwegian offers some coverage, third-party insurance often provides more flexibility for cancellation reasons and trip interruptions, reassuring you that you’re in control of your travel plans.
- Medical Insurance Coverage : International travel means you could be far from your primary healthcare providers. Norwegian’s medical coverage may have limitations, especially for travelers requiring specialized care or transportation. With comprehensive travel insurance, you can get extensive coverage for medical evacuations or emergencies and care beyond what’s provided onboard, ensuring you’re well-protected no matter where you are.
- Lost or Delayed Luggage : Picture this: you arrive at your port, but your luggage still needs to come. Delayed or lost luggage can dampen your vacation spirits. Third-party insurance can offer additional coverage for personal belongings compared to Norwegian’s policy.
- Travel Delays: Cruises often involve multiple connections, from flights to transfers, that can impact your arrival time at the port. Suppose a delayed flight or other travel interruption causes you to miss your cruise departure. In that case, third-party travel insurance can reimburse expenses like rebooking fees, accommodations, and meals as you catch up to the ship.
- Missed Connections: Missing a connection, especially when traveling internationally to reach your departure port, can disrupt your entire itinerary. Travel insurance with missed connection coverage helps cover unexpected costs, such as last-minute flights or hotel stays, to get you back on the water so you can catch your cruise at the nearest port.
Norwegian Cruise Line Insurance vs. Third-Party Travel Insurance
The best way to determine if a cruise travel insurance plan with Norwegian Cruise Line is a smart choice for your trip is to compare its protections with other providers. Consider the following:
Norwegian Cruise Line Insurance Benefits:
- Coverage for Trip Cancellation or Interruption : You’ll receive reimbursement for cancellations for covered reasons, including illness, family emergencies, or work obligations.
- Medical Coverage : Norwegian offers up to $20,000 in basic medical expense coverage, often limited to onboard incidents
- Baggage Protection : Covers lost, damaged, or delayed luggage, though limits may apply
- Travel Delays: This benefit helps reimburse expenses for meals, accommodations, and transportation if your travel is significantly delayed for covered reasons.
- Missed Connections: Unless a connecting flight to your cruise is missed because of your error, Norwegian Cruise Line will help you; just call their emergency number , and they’ll work with the airline to get you on the next possible flight.
Third-Party Travel Insurance Benefits:
- Broader Cancellation Coverage : Many third-party insurers offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) options, providing more flexibility if travel plans change, including cruise fare.
- Comprehensive Medical Coverage : Some plans may include emergency medical evacuations, hospitalizations, and treatments that Norwegian’s plan might not cover.
- Additional Coverage for Luggage and Personal Effects : Offers higher limits and covers a broader range of incidents than cruise-specific insurance.
What Should You Look for in a Travel Insurance Plan?
To combat the common cruise risks, focus on finding a plan that provides the following:
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption : Read the fine print and ensure you know all the reasons for the interruption or cancellation. Make sure it covers not only medical reasons but also job loss, travel advisories, and even personal emergencies like a wedding cancellation or family illness.
- Travel Delays: Travel Delay, or Trip Delay, is a typical travel insurance benefit that reimburses costs like meals, accommodations, and transportation if your trip is unexpectedly delayed. Most policies include this coverage at no extra charge, though limits, exclusions, and eligibility requirements vary by plan, and it kicks in after a 3-6 hour delay.
- Missed Connections: Most providers often provide this benefit as standard protection. It kicks in if you miss a flight because of a significant delay (3 to 6 hours) and helps reimburse for indirect flights to your final destination.
- Medical and Evacuation Coverage : Choose a plan with at least $100,000 in medical coverage and $250,000 in emergency evacuation benefits to cover potential emergencies while traveling internationally.
- Baggage Protection : To avoid unnecessary expenses, look for plans that reimburse lost, stolen, or delayed baggage.
- Cruise-Specific Benefits : Some travel insurance plans are designed specifically for cruises. These can cover shore excursions, missed connections, weather-related cancellations, or common itinerary changes on cruises.
When Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Your Norwegian Cruise?
Buying travel insurance as soon as you book your cruise is best. This way, you can maximize cancellation coverage from unforeseen events and qualify for time-sensitive benefits, such as the “cancel for any reason” upgrade.
Remember that some insurers require you to purchase coverage within 14-21 days of your initial trip payment to qualify for certain benefits. Planning is the best way to get the most out of your insurance investment.
How Much Does Travel Insurance for a Norwegian Cruise Cost?
The cost of travel insurance for your Norwegian cruise depends on a few details, regardless of provider and policy:
- Age of Travelers : Older travelers tend to pay more for travel insurance, particularly medical coverage.
- Length of Cruise : Longer cruises typically require higher premiums due to the extended coverage period.
- Total Trip Cost : The more you’ve invested in your trip, the more coverage you’ll need, which will impact the price.
Best Travel Insurance Options for Norwegian Cruises
On average, a comprehensive travel insurance policy can cover 5-10% of your total trip cost. Here are a few third-party travel insurance providers that offer excellent plans for Norwegian Cruise travelers:
- Tin Leg : Known for high medical coverage limits, add-ons for pre-existing medical conditions, and flexibility in cancellation reasons.
- IMG : Offers excellent medical and evacuation benefits, plus cruise-specific plans that cater to itineraries and shipboard emergencies.
- Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Travel Insurance : Offers cruise-specific plans that cater to every budget and offer unique benefits like adventure sports coverage.
Each provider has options tailored to cruise travelers, offering enhanced benefits beyond what Norwegian’s insurance may cover.
Bottom Line: While Norwegian Cruise Line’s travel insurance may offer adequate coverage for some travelers, we always recommend comparing your options to explore comprehensive protection, especially regarding medical emergencies and trip cancellations. By comparing both options, you can select the plan that best meets your needs and ensures your dream cruise is smooth sailing, no matter what comes your way.
The Go Plan from Generali Global Assistance
Troubles such as illness, injury of a family member, adverse weather causing delayed flights or lost luggage can occur when you least expect them and may affect your vacation. Travel insurance can help protect your vacation investment and provides added comfort so you can enjoy your trip. If you decide to purchase travel insurance, you have the option of using our preferred partner, Generali Global Assistance. The Go plan featured here can protect you before, during and after your trip with important insurance coverage and concierge services.
Plan Details
Some of the covered reasons for trip cancellation and trip interruption include:
- Covered sickness, injury or death of you, a family member or traveling companion
- Common carrier delays resulting from inclement weather, mechanical breakdown or unannounced strikes
- Financial insolvency of a travel supplier
- Your primary residence or accommodations at your destination are made uninhabitable by fire, flood, volcano, earthquake, hurricane or other natural disaster
- Mandatory hurricane evacuations
- Being called into emergency military duty for a natural disaster
- A documented theft of passports or visas
- Your involuntary termination of employment or layoff after you've been working with the same employer for at least one year (applies to trip cancellation coverage only)
- A terrorist act which occurs in your departure city or in a city to which you are scheduled to travel while on your trip, and which occurs within 30 days of your scheduled departure date
The table below provides the coverage and benefit limits of the Go plan.
The Go plan also includes informational services and concierge services from Generali’s designated provider.
Informational Services These services include travel guidance before you leave home and during your trip.
Concierge Services Get pre-trip assistance scheduling golf tee times, making restaurant, airline and rental car reservations or obtaining tickets for performances and special events.
All benefits and services are described on a general basis. For complete details on policy exclusions and benefits, contact Generali Global Assistance for a sample plan document.
For trips over $10,000 per person or longer than 31 days in length, please contact your Vacations To Go travel counselor for a price. All prices include a travel insurance premium and an assistance services fee.
Other Details
Purchase Rule This plan must be purchased the same day the first trip payment is made. In addition, the traveler must be medically able to travel at the time the policy is purchased.
Free Look Generali offers a free look period (varies by location) for the Go plan. In the days after you purchase your plan, you have the ability to cancel your coverage and receive a full refund of the plan cost as long as you haven't left for your trip or filed a claim.
Policy Confirmations You will receive a plan document which describes the benefits and limitations in detail. If you do not receive your documents within 10 days or 24 hours for email, call Generali Global Assistance at 800-994-3765.
Note : Insurance coverage is provided to all travelers listed on the policy, who must be residents of the United States or purchase this insurance from a company that is based in the United States.
