Cruise Prep 101: Vacation Protection Plans/Overseas Health Insurance

Vacations are time to get-away from it all and just enjoy time off from the everyday rat race.

No one wants to think about what might occur between the time you book your cruise and when you arrive back home after you return from your fabulous cruise vacation.  But you should!

Unfortunately illness, accidents, injuries, and other emergencies don't play by the rules.  Those nasty situations can, and too often do, enter into the vacation equation.

This post is designed to assist you in being prepared for as many eventualities as possible.  It is by no means meant to put a damper on your vacation plans; it is offered just to make it worry-free as humanly possible.

1.  Between booking and boarding

Once you have made your deposit and secured a booking you have immediately placed a certain amount of money at risk in the event it becomes necessary to to cancel out of the cruise.  The closer you are to your cruise date, the greater the amount at risk.
Vacation Protection Plans offer you a level of security against the possibility of having to cancel out.  In some cases it means getting a full refund of the amount paid; in other cases it provides for a lesser amount of recovery.  https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/vacation-protection.aspx provides details, take time to read it over.

2.  "Catch-up" Expenses

Carnival's offering of Vacation Protection Plans provides for recovery of at least a portion of "catch-up" expenses incurred should you be delayed getting to the departure port.

3.  Lost/Delayed Luggage Expenses

Limited coverage is included for lost luggage or luggage delayed for more than 24 hours (see website or call your travel consultant for details).

4.  Medical incidents aboard ship or ashore in a foreign port of call

When traveling domestically to vacation destinations; whether by car, airplane, or some other means of transportation, we rarely think about the possibility of any of those events occurring.  But, even if one of those did occur, we most likely have insurance to cover expenses; or, could cut short our vacation and head home.
All Carnival cruises must visit at least one foreign port during the ship's itinerary.  That means you will be traveling internationally.  Traveling internationally is an entirely different animal than domestic travel.
Incidents requiring medical attention aboard ship or ashore; evacuation from the ship for medical care beyond the capabilities of the shipboard staff; or illness or injury occurring while ashore are very real and occur all too often.  On cruises my wife and I have taken we have witnessed first-hand the evacuation of a passenger and his wife by the U.S. Coast Guard off San Diego; removal of passengers suffering illnesses and injuries in Mexico and Panama.  There are numerous videos on YouTube and other sites showing helicopter evacuations.  All of these incidents can cost thousands of dollars in medical and transportation costs. 

Know What Your Current Insurance Will and Will Not Cover

As you travel domestically to and from the cruise port within the United States, your regular health and accident insurance policies will most likely cover, within the policy limitations, expenses incurred for medical attention/hospitalization/transportation associated with medical conditions.

On a cruise ship; or, when you are ashore in a foreign port, it is very likely your domestic health insurance policy: whether individual, group, or even Medicare, is NOT going to cover accidents or illness needing medical attention while abroad; or, evacuation home from overseas.

This link on the U.S. Department of State website is provides information important to anyone travelling aboard.  This link will take you to the relevant pages so you can read through those pages as you prepare for your cruise vacation. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/health.html

Every Carnival ship employs a medical staff and has an infirmary capable of treating a certain number of illnesses and injuries; there are limitations as to the care that can be provided aboard ship.  It is important to note that services rendered by the Carnival medical staff are performed on a fee-for-service basis.  This means you will be billed for any of their services needed while aboard ship.  

If needed, evacuation from the ship for medical attention ashore will most likely also incur fees-for-service by those providing evacuation services.  

Vacation Protection Plans provide a means of recovery of some, or all, of those charges.

Medical attention ashore in a foreign city

Vacation Protection Plans provide for limited coverage (in dollar amounts) for medical attention/hospitalization received overseas.  While a plan might not cover all incurred expenses, some coverage is better than none at all.

Buying a Vacation Protection Plan

Whether you purchase Vacation Protection Plans offered by Carnival or obtain one through your travel agent or insurance agent/broker, it is something you should carefully consider.  It is far better to have a Vacation Protection Plan and not need it; than it is to need a Vacation Protection Plan and not have one.