Do I really need travel insurance?

[Drr10]

Booked for 1st ever cruise in January. Do I really need travel insurance? Who here has not bought it. Will be coming in two days early staying at SSR and already booked through Disney to take me to Port and then back to SSR when cruise is done.

 

[AnnaS]

It is highly recommended when cruising or foreign travel. Age does no matter. Accidents and illness can happen to anyone at anytime. Worth it for peace of mind.

During one of our cruises, my friend’s dad had an accident on the ship (we were a large group). Had to be evacuated. He never came back home (long and sad story) - but there are so many other stories out there. Leaving the country (not cruising) also needed.

Compare policies and see what you are comfortable with. We went to Italy in 2023. I was not too concerned about late flights/losing money with flight, luggage or B&B/Hotel. I wanted it for medical. I called and insured us heavy on medical but not so much on everything else. Did not even know that was an option until I called.

Good luck!

 

[DCLMP]

I usually just buy the medical and it's not that expensive. If your okay with losing the cost of the cruise if you can't make it then I wouldn't buy the expensive insurance. I also book my cruises with a credit card that offers travel protection. I've never had to file a claim.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do I really need travel insurance?

Yes. Any manner of problems can happen. Flights delayed. Accidents. I read of a family who were "just taking a quickie" Mexican River era cruise and one of the kids got appendicitis and had to be medically evacuated.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Yes you do. We've had to cancel cruises a couple days out. Once on the day of. It's hugely disappointing to have to cancel, but at least the insurance helps soften the blow. Also, if you get injured in a different country, it can quickly cost thousands of dollars.

 

[Pixarfans]

With any insurance, are you willing to pay the cost of not having it? Or make the choice not to get medical care?

 

[Chemist]

Yes. Let's pretend, for the sake of pretending that you or your child comes down with actual influenza, or strep, or COVID, or Noro or something that makes them actually SICK the day you want to leave for the trip. Or the day before. Every single penny you have paid for that trip is non-refundable.

Or let's pretend someone close to you has a heart attack/stroke/cancer diagnosis right before the trip and you need to cancel. Every single penny is non-refundable.

Or, let's say someone gets badly hurt while traveling. Evacuation costs a fortune. (I badly injured my back skiing. Over a thousand dollar ambulance bill and that was just to get me down the mountain.)

Or, let's pretend your flight is cancelled and you can't get a flight for two days and miss your cruise.

Your cruise is actually non-refundable fairly far in advance. Not just non-refundable, not re-bookable for credit. Money just gone. Maybe you can afford to wave good-bye to multiple thousands of dollars, but given that you are balking at insurance, I'm guessing not.