Which travel insurance policy do I select if I am going on a cruise?

Cover is provided for river cruising and ocean cruising regardless of whether you are cruising overseas or within Australia. A number of options are available subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions in the policy.

The definition of Cruise means an ocean voyage on a commercially operated vessel for more than one night. If you are on a cruise for only one night or you are on a river cruise, you will automatically be covered under the policy without selecting the Cruise Option.

The policy cannot cover any medical expenses within Australia, so if your cruise might be in Australian waters, please check carefully if there are medical facilities onboard, and if so, whether Medicare applies.

An extra premium is payable for the Cruise cover option.

1. River Cruising – International or Domestic

Cover for river cruising is automatically included in your cover and there is no need to select the Cruise Option.

For international river cruising, medical evacuation and medical costs will be covered subject to the policy terms and conditions.

2. Open water sailing – International or Domestic

Please note there is an exclusion on any Open Water Sailing which means sailing more than 12 nautical miles from any landmass. This applies to a sailing vessel using either a motor and/or wind as its means of propulsion. There is no cover under the policy for these types of vessels unless the vessel stays within 12 nautical miles of any landmass.

For example, if you are on a commercially operated sailing vessel cruising along the coast of Croatia or The Whitsundays and that vessel always staying within 12 nautical miles of any landmass, cover is automatically included in your policy and you do not need to select the Cruise option.

3. Going on an Ocean Cruise – International

The definition of Cruise means an ocean voyage on a commercially operated vessel for more than one night. If you are cruising for only one night or you are on a river cruise, you will automatically be covered under the policy without selecting the Cruise Option.

Medical evacuation and medical costs will be covered with all ocean cruising subject to the policy terms and conditions.

If you are going on an international ocean cruise, you will be covered for this travel by selecting the Cruise Option and adding all countries and regions being visited to the destination list when quoting for a policy.

For international ocean cruises, there are currently no restrictions on the size of the vessel or on the medical facilities required onboard.

Going on an Australian Cruise

4. Cruising to Australia plus international ports

Many cruises depart Australian ports to visit other Australian ports and then international ports of destination. For example, Sydney, Brisbane plus countries in the South Pacific.

For these types of cruises, please select Australian Cruise and add all countries and/or regions being visited in the destination list when quoting for a policy - this will ensure you have cover for any medical evacuation and medical costs while overseas or onboard but please note, any medical treatment received in Australia is not covered given this is excluded and provided by Medicare.

5. Cruising to Australian ports or offshore islands with medical facilities and medical providers onboard and commercially operated

Many cruises depart from Australian ports to visit major city or regional ports, for example cruising from Sydney to Brisbane or cruising in the Kimberly region.

If your cruise has medical facilities and doctors onboard, and meets the definition of Cruise, please select Australian Cruise while quoting for a policy. This will ensure you have cover for any medical evacuation and medical costs while onboard, as some medical providers are not registered with Medicare.

6. Cruising to Australian ports or offshore islands with NO medical facilities and medical providers onboard or chartered for self-operation

Many cruises depart from Australian ports to visit major city or regional ports, for example cruising from Sydney to Brisbane or cruising in the Kimberly region. You may also charter a cruise, boat or yacht yourself for self-operation including a fishing trip.

If these cruises have no medical facilities and staff or are chartered for self-operation, please select Australia – Domestic cover, while quoting for a policy.