CSP is a great travel card in general, and I always recommend it, but it only covers the cost of the vacation. The biggest reason Disney (and most travel agents) recommend separate insurance is for medical. I'm a professional helicopter pilot (we are obligated to say that any time it comes up) and let me tell you, if you need to be medevac'd from a ship or port you're looking at $30k minimum. Get additional coverage.
Well, as they say, your mileage may vary, depending on
where you are cruising and if you are an American citizen. Is
PRIVATE medical evacuation expensive? Yes. I have witnessed three medical evacuations, all in the Caribbean, all conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, including one from the Magic at sea. The other two were from private cruise line islands in the Caribbean. And of course, U.S. Coast guard evacuations are free, since it is illegal for the Coast Guard to charge for it's service. And if you have ever watched the show Deadliest Catch and see fisherman evacuated from fishing boats around Alaska, those are all U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
The reality is, in the Caribbean and Alaska, for example, the only Helicopter crews qualified to do evacuations from a cruise ship at sea will be the U.S. Coast guard.
But the most important point about insurance when traveling, CHECK what coverage you already have. My last two employers group health insurance included overseas coverage and medical evacuation, because employees from time to time. Check your coverage.\
I am retired and on Medicare now, Medicare covers NOTHING outside the U.S. However my Medigap insurance (known as Medicare Part G) does cover Medical care anywhere in the world and Medical evacuation. I HAVE purchased
travel insurance for my next cruise, more for the travel interruption coverage as this is a two week, land sea package I am taking.
And remember, even with travel insurance, the travel insurance company is going to expect you to pay out of pocket in most cases for any covered care. And they will check to see if your regular Medical insurance will cover anything, as they will always be your primary insurance.
