Royal Caribbean Trip Insurance Tips and FAQ

To say embarking on a Royal Caribbean cruise is an exciting adventure is an understatement. You’ve been eyeing excursions, planning your wardrobe, and counting down the days until you can finally feel the sea breeze on your face. However, as much as you dream about the sun-soaked days ahead, unexpected events can suddenly disrupt your long-awaited vacation plans. Enter Royal Caribbean trip insurance.  

In today’s guide to travel insurance for cruises, we’ll explore the benefits of Royal Caribbean trip insurance, complete with common coverage options and tips for choosing the best plan for your cruise.  

Why You Need Trip Insurance for Your Royal Caribbean Cruise

When you book a Royal Caribbean cruise, you invest in endless relaxation and unforgettable memories. But like any investment, your cruise itinerary is subject to unforeseen risks that could throw a wrench in your vacation plans. From sudden illness before departure to accidental injuries while on board, many factors could force you to cancel your trip entirely or miss out on planned activities.  

It’s helpful to think of cruise trip insurance as your safety net, ensuring that you won’t lose the money you’ve spent on your dream vacation if life throws you a curveball. Royal Caribbean trip insurance helps protect passengers from common risks, including but not limited to:  

• Missed connections due to delayed flights or other transportation complications.
• Medical emergencies that require onboard treatment or care in a foreign port.
• Trip cancellations due to illness, injury, or family emergencies.
• Trip interruptions caused by sickness or injury while onboard.
• Delayed, lost, or stolen luggage during your journey.  

What Does Royal Caribbean Trip Insurance Cover?

Whether you plan to sail the Caribbean Sea with Royal Caribbean or voyage to one of the brand’s 300+ destinations around the world, you’ll want to know the details of the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program. The Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program is the default trip insurance for the brand’s cruises. Here’s a look at Royal Caribbean insurance coverage and how it stacks up against alternative providers.  

Royal Caribbean Medical Insurance

Accidents and illnesses can happen anywhere, even on your dream vacation. While traveling on a cruise, especially in international waters, your regular health insurance may not cover the required expenses for proper medical care. Royal Caribbean trip insurance fills this gap by covering costs related to:  

●  Hospital Visits and Treatment Costs: Royal Caribbean offers $25,000 of emergency medical coverage per person.

●  Emergency Medical Evacuation: Royal Caribbean offers up to $50,000 per person for evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility.

●  International Coverage: Royal Caribbean offers $25,000 of international medical coverage per person for expenses not covered by your regular insurance policy.  

While $25,000 and $50,000 may seem like sufficient funds to cover expenses, in the event of a severe medical emergency, Royal Caribbean trip insurance coverage limits may not adequately cover the total costs. In comparison, the Aegis Go Ready Cruise Plan offers $100,000 per person for medical emergencies and $250,000 per person for emergency medical evacuations, far surpassing Royal Caribbean limits.  

Trip Cancellation or Interruption Coverage

Life is unpredictable; sometimes, you may need to cancel or cut your cruise short due to unforeseen circumstances. If you cancel for covered reasons, like a sudden illness, you can receive up to 100% of cashback for Royal Caribbean cancellation fees. There’s also prepaid excursion coverage if your trip is interrupted for a similar covered reason.  

Keep in mind that depending on your reason for cancellation or interruption, you may receive the cashback in the form of Royal Caribbean credits. If you’d prefer straight cash for cancellations or interruptions, you’re likely better off with a third-party cruise travel insurance policy, like the Go Ready Cruise Plan.  

Missed Connection Insurance

If a delayed flight causes you to miss the departure of your cruise, Royal Caribbean trip insurance can help. Coverage includes up to $300 if you miss your trip departure for covered reasons by three or more hours, and potential alternative travel arrangements to meet your cruise at the next port. In comparison, providers like Aegis offer up to $750 per person for missed connections for the same minimum three-hour delay.  

Lost or Delayed Luggage Insurance

There’s a chance that the wardrobe you’ve planned can go missing if your luggage is delayed or lost in transit. Royal Caribbean offers lost luggage cruise insurance up to $1,500 ($500/item) if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged, and up to $500 to buy necessary personal items if your bags are delayed for 24 hours or more. Here at Aegis, we offer similar baggage coverage with available upgrades for ultimate protection.

Cancel for Any Reason Insurance

Royal Caribbean offers Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, allowing you to cancel your trip for an unlisted reason and receive 90% of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses. The catch? The fees are credited toward future trips, not directly paid out to you. In comparison, Aegis offers CFAR coverage to reimburse up to 75% of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses, and gives you the actual money back.  

Choosing the Right Trip Insurance for Your Cruise

When considering cruise vacation protection plans, Royal Caribbean trip insurance is commendable, but it’s certainly not the most comprehensive option available. Many providers — Aegis included — offer more robust emergency medical insurance for cruises, which is essential if you’re seeking broader protection, consider yourself a high-risk traveler, or have pre-existing medical conditions like asthma or diabetes.  

For instance, Royal Caribbean does not offer a waiver to cover Pre-Existing Conditions. In comparison, the Aegis Cruise Plan does cover Pre-Existing Conditions if you buy the policy on or before you make your trip’s final payment.    

Another key difference between the Aegis Cruise Plan and Royal Caribbean’s trip insurance is the number of covered reasons for canceling or interrupting your trip.  

While Royal Caribbean covers five reasons, most Aegis policies offer around 20. Notably, Aegis policies include Supplier Default protection, which is often not covered by Royal Caribbean or other cruise line plans. This means that if the cruise line faces financial difficulties and ceases operations (as seen recently with companies like Crystal and American Queen Voyages), the policyholder would not receive any compensation. Additionally, the Aegis Cruise Plan provides $25,000 per person for Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage, which is typically not included in Royal Caribbean or most other cruise line insurance plans.  

Beyond coverage limits, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for policy exclusions and limitations. For instance, Royal Caribbean cruise trip insurance may not cover risky or adventurous activities, like scuba diving or glacier hiking. It’s crucial to read the fine print and understand these exclusions to avoid surprises later. If you plan to partake in adventure sports, it’s wise to invest in adventure travel insurance instead.  

FAQs About Royal Caribbean Trip Insurance

Is Trip Insurance Mandatory?

Royal Caribbean trip insurance is not legally required, but it is highly recommended. Cruise insurance protects your financial investment and provides coverage for unexpected events like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage. Without insurance, you could face significant out-of-pocket expenses if something goes wrong.  

When Should You Purchase Trip Insurance?

It’s best to purchase trip insurance as soon as you book your cruise. Buying early ensures that you’re covered for any unexpected events that might occur before your departure, such as illness or injury. Additionally, you must purchase your policy between 10 and 21 days (depending on the policy) after the date of your initial payment or deposit to receive Royal Caribbean CFAR coverage.  

Can I Add Trip Insurance After Booking a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Yes, you can buy trip insurance after booking your cruise, but it’s recommended to do so as soon as possible. While some coverage options are still available closer to your departure date, purchasing early offers broader coverage, including potential CFAR protection.  

How Do You File a Trip Insurance Claim?

You can file a Royal Caribbean trip insurance claim in four easy steps:

1. Gather Necessary Documents: Collect receipts, proof of expenses, and any other relevant documentation, such as medical reports.

2. Contact Your Insurance Provider: Notify Royal Caribbean about the incident as soon as possible to begin the claims process.

3. Submit the Claim: Complete any required forms and submit your claim within the specified time frame (typically 30-60 days after the incident).

4. Follow-Up: Stay in contact with Royal Caribbean to ensure your claim is processed smoothly and resolved in a timely manner.  

Secure Your Cruise with Aegis Trip Insurance

Is trip insurance worth it for a Royal Caribbean cruise? Absolutely! However, purchasing Royal Caribbean trip insurance may not offer you the highest coverage limits or the most diverse benefits. Aegis provides flexible and comprehensive coverage options that can complement or exceed the protection offered by Royal Caribbean’s own insurance, ensuring peace of mind for all types of travelers.  

Protect your Royal Caribbean cruise with the Go Ready Cruise Plan by Aegis — secure your comprehensive coverage today!