re. cruise cover on a future trip (post insurance renewal)

katejo

I have a current European annual policy which expires in January. It doesn't include cruise cover. I am looking at a possible 3 day cruise in March. I know I will have to add cruise cover to any renewal but why is it a requirement to add it to my current annual policy to cover any cancellation before the end of January? That wouldn't involve any additional cruise expenses such as transport to hospital from a cruise boat. I think I will get round it by just buying a single trip policy  for the specific dates. I don't want to pay a cruise supplement for a whole annual policy when only doing one trip. However, I still don't find it logical!

lisyloo

You need cover from the point you are liable for any significant costs because you might have to cancel.
If you are prepared to forego your deposit then you could delay.
As it's only 3 days and if you're prepared to take the risk of cancellation you could delay until shortly before you travel (or at your renewal).

Your choice, but basically it's cancellation cover.

It quite logical that you can only be covered for cancellation if you've got cover - no?

katejo

lisyloo said:

You need cover from the point you are liable for any significant costs because you might have to cancel.
If you are prepared to forego your deposit then you could delay.
As it's only 3 days and you're prepared to take the risk you could delay until shortly before you travel.

Your choice, but basically it's cancellation cover.

That doesn't answer the question really. I have a policy now but it doesn't include cruise cover. I just don't see the relevance of additional cruise cover before departure on the trip. Why should it cost more to cancel a mini cruise than to cancel a land based trip?

JGB1955

What, specifically, does 'cruise cover' cover?  Is it medical evacuation, cancelled ports, missed departure, cabin confinement, unused pre-booked excursion cover? In my experience cruise cover is an add-on and basic cancellation before the date of the holiday would be covered by the standard annual policy.

katejo

JGB1955 said:

What, specifically, does 'cruise cover' cover?  Is it medical evacuation, cancelled ports, missed departure, cabin confinement, unused pre-booked excursion cover? In my experience cruise cover is an add-on and basic cancellation before the date of the holiday would be covered by the standard annual policy.

That's my argument. I did query on a previous occasion (with an insurer) why cruise supplement was needed for river cruises. It's easier to evacuate someone from a river cruise than an ocean one. i was still told that it was to do with the cost of evacuation. 

JGB1955

Our annual Nationwide travel insurance includes BASIC cruise cover.  Just need to find out what 'basic' means!

35har1old

JGB1955 said:

Our annual Nationwide travel insurance includes BASIC cruise cover.  Just need to find out what 'basic' means!

Doesn't cover missed ports but all medical issues and evacuation from ship are covered 

katejo

35har1old said:

JGB1955 said:

Our annual Nationwide travel insurance includes BASIC cruise cover.  Just need to find out what 'basic' means!

Doesn't cover missed ports but all medical issues and evacuation from ship are covered 

None of these is relevant until one is actually on the trip.