Travel insurance advice for cruise passengers

Andreas Behn, head of finance and insurance at Verbraucherzentrale Thüringen, advises that standard health insurance cards are often insufficient for medical needs during cruises. Ship doctors typically bill privately using international rates, requiring passengers to pay upfront.

Whether statutory health insurance provides partial reimbursement depends on the ship's registration. While European-flagged vessels may see some coverage, ships registered in countries like Panama or the Bahamas generally do not qualify for statutory reimbursement.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can assist during shore excursions within the EU and participating states for necessary public healthcare, but it does not cover private doctor fees, local co-payments, or medical repatriation.

Experts recommend comprehensive travel health insurance that covers the entire journey, including both onboard and land-based activities. Essential coverage should include medical transport, search and rescue, recovery costs, and medical repatriation, including helicopter services.