An unexpected event on a cruise: What should you do?

What should you do if you miss your flight for your cruise and miss embarkation?

If your plane departs without you, notify your cruise line first.

If your flight is included in your cruise package
The cruise operator may sometimes offer special arrangements and cover the cost of certain expenses.

If your flight was booked separately
Contact your travel advisor immediately, then reach out to your travel insurance company. The faster you act, the easier it is to limit the consequences.

• Useful coverage in this situation: Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. This coverage applies to several situations, such as a flight delay or flight cancellation (up to a maximum amount), a sudden illness or injury, or a loss at home that prevents you from leaving or forces you to return earlier than planned.

Additional expenses may be reimbursed if your situation falls under insurable risks. Learn more about the coverage included with the CAA-Quebec Travel Insurance.

Tip: To avoid missing the ship and your dream cruise, arrive the day before departure and stay one night at a hotel.

What should you do if you get sick during a cruise?

Most ocean cruise ships have an onboard medical clinic with a doctor and nurses. They can handle minor emergencies and common health issues.

A doctor is not always guaranteed on river cruises, since access to medical care on land is usually easier.

• Useful coverage in this situation:
  • Emergency medical coverage: For medical consultations and treatments, hospitalization, and even evacuation if necessary (not covered by RAMQ)
  • Trip interruption insurance: To cover prepaid, non-refundable expenses

Itinerary change: What happens if a port of call is cancelled?

A port of call may be cancelled for reasons beyond anyone’s control: extreme weather, geopolitical situations, or port conditions.

Shore excursions booked directly with the cruise line may qualify for cruise excursion reimbursement (up to a maximum amount and under certain conditions). Coverage varies significantly from one insurance policy to another.

• Useful coverage in this situation: Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance may cover these expenses.

Note that refund conditions for excursions purchased elsewhere usually include more exclusions.

Did you miss the ship during a port stop?

If the delay is your responsibility (poor time management or private transportation), reimbursement is rarely available.

If the delay is caused by an excursion organized by an external provider, some coverage may apply depending on your travel insurance policy, but limits and exclusions may apply.

• Useful coverage in this situation: Trip interruption insurance, to cover additional expenses to rejoin the ship (transportation, accommodation, meals).

Contact the ship’s designated contact person listed in your daily cruise newsletter (keep a copy with your travel documents).

Good practice: Choose excursions offered by the cruise line. If the group is delayed, the ship will generally wait.

What should you do in case of passport theft or loss?

Without a valid passport, the cruise line may refuse to let you back on board—without compensation. If your passport is stolen or lost:

• Contact the ship’s designated contact person
• Call your country’s embassy or consulate

Tip: Always keep a copy of your identification documents with you (paper or digital). This can make it easier to obtain a replacement passport, whether to continue your cruise or return home.

• Useful coverage in this situation:
  • Trip interruption insurance: For living expenses and your new plane ticket to the next destination or your return home;
  • Baggage and personal effects coverage: Depending on the policy, for reimbursement of certain expenses related to stolen documents.

What happens if my spouse becomes ill before departure?

Cruise cancellation policies are often very strict in the weeks before departure. For many cruise lines, cancelling 30 days or less before departure results in cancellation fees equal to 100% of the cruise price.

If your travel companion’s illness is covered, travel insurance could help you avoid losing the amounts already paid (cruise, excursions, flights, etc.).

• Useful coverage in this situation:
• Trip cancellation insurance: To be reimbursed if you must cancel before departure;
• All-risk insurance: To cover an otherwise excluded condition or a known situation that could lead to trip cancellation.

Does travel insurance cover lost cruise days?

Generally, no. Travel insurance does not reimburse for “loss of enjoyment” of a trip. In other words, you will likely not be compensated for days lost because you were ill.

Cruise travel insurance: Summary of what may be covered

An unexpected event on a cruise can quickly lead to stress—and significant expenses. Depending on the coverage included in your policy, travel insurance plans may cover:

• Emergency medical care on board or on land
• Trip cancellation or trip interruption
• Hotel stays, meals, and unexpected expenses
• Itinerary changes or transportation to rejoin the ship
• Expenses related to lost or stolen documents
• Baggage coverage

Tip: Keep all receipts to open your insurance claim. Also keep your assistance card or the insurer’s app easily accessible for quick travel assistance 24 hours a day.

For more comprehensive coverage, consider purchasing all-risk travel insurance, which may also cover certain pre-existing medical conditions. Before leaving, check reimbursement limits and exclusions, which vary widely between insurers. Also learn about your air passenger rights in Canada.