If you’re heading off on a cruise this summer, you likely think you have everything sorted. But, according to experts, there is one simple mistake people make which could leave you out of pocket. Clément Goubon, Chief Marketing Officer at Insurte says that travel insurance can trip people up.

He said: "One of the most common mistakes we see is assuming that cruise cover is included in a standard travel insurance policy—it usually isn’t." There are multiple things that can go wrong on a cruise, and one of the most commonly overlooked scenarios is missing your departure.

Travellers may assume that missed port departures are covered in a standard travel insurance policy, but unless it’s explicitly stated as a guarantee, it typically isn’t covered.

For travellers who book fly-cruise packages or independent excursions, even a 15-minute delay getting back to the port could mean being left behind—and catching up with the ship in another country often involves last-minute flights and overnight stays, which can be extremely costly out of pocket.

Another common oversight is illness, where passengers get sick and need to stay in their cabins, missing the action. If you are required by the ship’s medical team to isolate in your cabin, you could lose out on multiple days of your holiday.

It isn’t a given that your policy will cover you for cabin confinement, plus travel insurance policies require you to submit claims in a specific way. If you don’t follow the procedure closely, your event may not be covered.

“We’ve seen travellers miss ports, onboard events and excursions due to illness, only to find out afterwards that none of it was covered,” said Clément 

If you are sick enough to require medical evacuation, that's another huge cost that may not be covered by insurance.  Clément  said: “People assume the cruise line will foot the bill, but in most cases, that’s not true.

“Without specific cover for medical evacuation at sea, you could face an enormous out-of-pocket expense.”

Travellers should ensure their policy includes repatriation, especially if their condition prevents them from flying commercially, as well as any specific criteria, including whether repatriation while at sea is covered, too.

If you have a trip coming up, make sure you check and double check your travel insurance so you don't have any nasty surprises. 

Clément said "A cruise can be a relaxing, scenic way to travel—but it’s also important that you make sure you’re protected.

“Spending a few extra minutes comparing the right policies could save you thousands."