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Look to your credit cards, first

What to consider if you buy a separate cruise travel insurance policy, what cruise travel insurance doesn't cover, how to shop cruise travel insurance options, is cruise travel insurance necessary.

Travel insurance can save you when you’re in a pinch, and cruises are especially important to protect. Whether you experience a flight delay, your car breaks down or you get sick, having a backup plan that will cover the cost of your trip, or at least help you get there without extra expense, can be essential. It’s recommended to arrive one day before the departure of your cruise to allow for any delays because if you arrive late to the departure point, the ship may have already left.

If you find yourself stranded at the pier long after your cruise has left, or aren't able to get to the pier at all, cruise travel insurance can help. These are some of the best travel insurance options for cruises.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Many credit cards provide sufficient travel protection that can help you in the event of a delay or cancellation. It can even help if you arrive on time, but your bags do not. Other travel protections include helping if you need medical attention or evacuation during your trip, as well as insurance for a rental car if you decide to drive in one of the ports you visit.

Some of the popular credit card options that provide ample protections include:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card . Terms apply.

United℠ Explorer Card .

You'll need to review the policy before the trip to decide if you need to purchase additional coverage.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

If you don't have a credit card with coverage or you want to add more protection, it is wise to buy insurance as soon as possible after booking the cruise. Some companies require that you buy cruise insurance within two weeks of making the initial deposit, particularly if you're hoping for pre-existing medical coverage.

The longer you wait to buy cruise insurance, the higher the price may become.

Also, your own health insurance may not cover cruise travel or medical attention onboard a ship. Often, some personal insurance plans do not protect passengers once they have sailed more than six hours from any U.S. port. This may come as a surprise for those who thought they were protected, which is why it can be wise to purchase additional coverage for a cruise.

Since medical treatment on a ship may be more expensive, and evacuation at sea may require a helicopter or small boat, having emergency coverage can be essential.

If you’re still deciding on additional protection, consider these factors:

Destination: Is it remote or far from an airport or medical facility? How difficult will it be for you to find medical care or leave the ship?

Length of stay: How long will you be traveling? If it's only a few days, the probability that you will need coverage is less than if the trip were longer or farther from home.

Credit card protections: Read the fine print of your credit card benefits. If you used that card to pay for your travel, you may already have protection in the event of trip delay or cancellation, missing or lost luggage, medical reasons or weather issues.

Personal liability: Will you be engaging in activities that may make you responsible for someone else’s injury? Will you be renting a car or participating in activities like boating, biking or motorized water sports? If you may be held liable for someone else’s injury, insurance can help protect you.

As important as knowing how you will be protected, it is also paramount to know what is not included.

For example, if any injury or health issue is alcohol-related, it may not be covered. You might also want to know if natural disasters like a hurricane, terrorist incidents or bankruptcy by the cruise line are also covered. Sometimes, there are specific carve-outs for such situations.

Another important factor to consider is COVID-19 protection , as not all insurance plans include it. You will want to consider what happens if you get sick before the sailing or onboard since you may have to find accommodation if you are not able to travel for a period of time.

Some cruise insurance policies will cover itinerary changes. This means if you have your heart set on visiting a particular place, but it gets cut from the itinerary (a common occurrence due to weather conditions), you would receive some form of compensation. Not all plans include this, and for certain trips with a popular port (like visiting Alexandria, Egypt, to drive to the Pyramids), it may be wise to check if you are covered.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

There are many providers of travel insurance, and often, cruise companies will recommend a partner when making a reservation. Those are often best since the cruise line has a history of working with that company and has considered the intricacies of the various ports its ships are visiting. Still, policies vary.

If you want to buy a policy beyond what is already offered by your credit card, start with an aggregator site like Insure My Trip that compares several policies based on the criteria you choose. How long will you be gone? Where are you going? Do you have any pre-existing conditions? All of these things can affect the price of a policy that you purchase.

There are other respected insurance options like Travel Guard , which has policies specifically geared toward cruise trips. SafeCruise from VisitorsCoverage is another plan that is designed for cruise travel, and it includes an upgrade for a partial Cancel For Any Reason reimbursement.

Deciding if you want to protect your trip probably depends on your budget. If you can afford a worst-case scenario without protection, then maybe you won’t need to purchase travel insurance for cruises.

But for most travelers, having a backup plan in case anything goes wrong makes the trip that much more enjoyable.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

While smooth sailing will always be the aim, cruising today is often about expecting the unexpected. You can prepare yourself by taking out an insurance policy that can compensate you when your vacation at sea does not go as planned.

Need to cancel your trip last minute due to an accident or illness? Did your bags get delayed or lost? Do you need to exit the sailing early to take care of an emergency back home? Was there a mechanical issue with the ship that required a change of itinerary, causing you to miss your flight home?

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

All of these contingencies and more can be covered; it's just a matter of finding the best insurance policy for you. Here's how to evaluate which plan is the right choice for you, as well as five of the best cruise travel insurance plans available.

The best cruise travel insurance plan will always be a 3rd-party option

No plan will meet the needs of all cruise travelers, so there is little benefit to booking the one insurance option recommended by your cruise line during the booking process other than convenience.

You'll often find more affordable rates, comprehensive coverage and favorable terms utilizing third-party insurance companies. You'll have a wide choice of plans, so you can pick the one that works the best for your situation.

If you're wondering where the best place is to purchase third-party insurance, "No one comparison site is getting preferential deals," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com . "Insurance carriers' rates are the same anywhere." However, these insurance comparison sites can help you directly compare the pricing and coverage of multiple policies by a range of preferred providers.

Look for the following coverage options and compare coverage amounts to determine which third-party plan is the best cruise insurance option for your upcoming trip.

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Trip cancellation

You'll want to be reimbursed if an unexpected event forces you to cancel your cruise. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy, detailing which specific reasons for canceling your trip are covered and not covered.

Trip interruption and travel delays

You'll also want to be covered if issues occur after travel begins. It's important to find "a plan that offers trip interruption if something does happen during your trip, along with a plan that offers emergency medical evacuation, coverage for travel delays and missed connection benefits," adds insurance expert Meghan Walch from InsureMyTrip .

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise

COVID-19 contingencies

Walch advises all travelers booking a cruise to consider a plan that includes cancellation coverage for COVID-19. Note that you'll need more than a home test to file a claim. According to Walch, "You'll need a doctor saying that you have been diagnosed with COVID and specify that you are unable to travel."

In addition, look for coverage if you get sick and need to isolate away from home. "Some plans offer additional trip delay coverage, put in place as a result of needing additional or higher limits for instances that might include if the policyholder gets quarantined in a location," Sandberg adds.

Cancel for any reason

A cancel-for-any-reason optional upgrade offers the most flexibility. You can get a refund of up to 75% if you cancel your voyage for reasons not usually covered by travel insurance. However, it adds about 40% to your premium and can only be purchased within a limited window of time after your cruise purchase.

Related: What happens if my cruise line changes my itinerary or ship?

Lost or delayed baggage

Baggage loss insurance covers your luggage if it is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip. In the case that you make it on the cruise and your bags do not, the insurance agency can assist with locating and redirecting the bags to your next port, reimbursing you for items you may need to purchase to get you through your travels while you are without your belongings and covering your losses in the case that the bag is actually gone for good.

Note that certain high-cost items such as electronics, luxury watches and fine jewelry are not always covered by baggage loss insurance. Consider purchasing additional coverage for such items or — better yet — keep those items with you at all times.

Health coverage

Medical coverage is another consideration. "Most domestic health coverage [including Medicare] does not cover travel abroad, so it is important to look at a travel insurance policy that offers medical coverage during your trip, just in case anything happens," says Walch. "If you fall ill or are injured during the trip, it can be pretty expensive – even when going to the ship's onboard medical facility."

Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise

Hurricane coverage

Extreme weather and hurricanes are typically not covered if the cruise commences as scheduled, though you might be eligible for trip interruption coverage if weather cancels the cruise or cuts the itinerary short. There are also insurance plans that offer trip reimbursement if a destination on your itinerary is under a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-issued hurricane alert or warning.

How much will cruise travel insurance cost?

Insurance pricing is dependent on the trip cost and the age of the insured travelers. Sandberg estimates that "travelers in their 30s or 40s can ballpark insurance coverage somewhere around 5% to 7% of the trip costs, with rates that can get lower depending on the extent of coverage."

Insurance is a tiered product that gets more expensive as you age. "As you get older, that range can expand to 10% of trip costs," notes Sandberg. "Adding bells and whistles, like 'cancel for any reason' [coverage], rates can rise to 11% to 12% of the cost of your trip."

Related: How cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

5 best cruise travel insurance plans

Following extensive research scouring the fine print, we've selected five of the best cruise insurance plans that will appeal to a variety of seagoing travelers.

All five plans provide coverage for COVID-19-related trip cancellation and interruption.

For the leisure cruiser: TravelSafe Classic Plan

TravelSafe's Classic Plan is the best value all-around for the average cruiser, with superior coverage limits at a fair rate.

This plan's coverage includes an impressive $1 million per person for medical evacuation and a high $2,500 coverage limit for bag loss. You have extra time – 21 days – from your initial deposit to add a cancel-for-any-reason upgrade to your plan. The accident and sickness medical coverage is primary, with coverage up to $100,000.

The policy's $750-maximum trip delay coverage begins after a six-hour delay and includes kennel fees for up to $100 per day, along with coverage for additional meal and accommodation expenses.

For the budget conscious: AXA's Silver Plan

AXA's Silver Plan is the company's entry-level offering, with more value added than most budget insurance options — most notably the company's concierge service. Coverage under this plan includes robust trip cancellation and interruption coverage, both at 100% of the costs, along with $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation.

The plan also offers identity theft assistance in case your wallet or passport gets stolen while traveling, assisting with filing and obtaining police and credit reports, taking inventory of lost or stolen items, and even wiring emergency funds to you when you're really in a bind.

You won't have the option to purchase a cancel-for-any-reason add-on or opt in for a collision damage waiver on this lowest-tier plan.

For the luxury cruise traveler: John Hancock's Gold Plan

John Hancock's Gold Plan offers robust medical evacuation and repatriation coverage up to $1 million per person, ideal for those luxury cruises that rove to the farthest reaches of the globe. The plan has excellent baggage loss coverage at up to $2,500 per person, along with a low three-hour minimum travel delay ($1,000 per person, $200 daily limit) benefit.

Preexisting medical conditions are covered by this policy, though you must purchase your policy within 14 days of your trip deposit.

For increased medical coverage: Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan

Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan offers primary medical coverage for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses up to $500,000, while many other plans only offer secondary coverage. The plan's medical evacuation coverage is high at $1 million, and preexisting conditions are covered with a few conditions that apply, namely that you purchase the policy within 20 days of your initial trip payment.

The policy also offers detailed, robust COVID-19 coverage, including reimbursement for medical care if you contract COVID-19 while traveling. Its coverage also includes meals, local transportation and lodging if you're delayed six or more consecutive hours due to quarantining with COVID-19.

Coverage options on the plan may vary slightly depending on which U.S. state you claim as your residence.

For the adventurous cruiser: World Nomads' Explorer Plan

World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that will cover more than 200 adventure activities on your travels, including scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping. The coverage for the long list of activities includes emergency medical expenses while outside the U.S., medical evacuation and repatriation, along with trip interruption.

World Nomads' Explorer Plan also offers $25,000 in coverage for nonmedical emergency evacuation for covered events, such as a natural disaster or political or security situations.

Travelers 70 and older are required to add a "Silver Nomads" policy, offered through TripAssure.

Bottom line

Cruising isn't always a blissful week spent relaxing on the pool deck or snorkeling among multicolored reefs. Mishaps occur, whether it's losing luggage, missing a flight or falling ill.

The best cruise insurance policies are the ones that won't let you sail without a safety net, charging a fraction of your trip expenses in exchange for the peace of mind that there's a plan in place should something go wrong. With a range of pricing and coverage options available, you can feel confident that you can find a policy to suit your travel needs.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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River Cruise Travel Assurance

Learn more about our River Cruise Cover and operations on Europe's waterways.

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Life on the River

If you are dreaming of experiencing a river cruise, be prepared to fall in love with one of the greatest joys in the world. As your 5-star floating hotel cruises through some of the most iconic waterways of Europe, not only will you witness Mother Nature at her best, but also human engineering at its finest.

Locked Rivers

Europe’s waterways are distinctive with varying water levels. To make traversing these waters seamless, water locks were invented. These engineering wonders are essentially an elevator with which ships can be raised or lowered to overcome the water level disparities. Locks line Europe's waterways, with 16 locks along the Main-Danube Canal, some as high as 25 metres.

The invention of the water locks is a true engineering marvel with Italian scientist and artist, Leonardo da Vinci, pitching in to perfect the process. Watching your Captain expertly manoeuvre your Scenic Space-Ship through the narrow canals is a special treat that awaits you on board.

Constant State of Flux

As with any other element of Mother Nature, rivers have personalities of their own. Our state-of-the-art Scenic Space-Ships are designed to convert easily to slide under all kinds of bridges. While we make every effort to plan our trips to the last degree, some days the water levels simply don’t co-operate. This leads to lock closures or difficulties passing under historic and often low-slung bridges when water levels are either too high or too low.  Our local offices throughout Europe monitor levels closely to handle all navigation issues in a timely and efficient manner to minimise disruptions.

River Cruise Cover Inclusions

Staying true to our commitment of being all-inclusive, your Scenic cruise includes peace of mind river cruise cover*.

Introduction

This may be enacted in the event of a deviation to compensate you for any changes to your itinerary.

Scenic is committed to open and transparent communication. Should information about potential issues be available prior to your departure we will notify you and allow you to make an informed decision about your travel plans. Should the impact happen during your cruise, you will be notified by your Cruise Director on board that River Cruise Cover has been enacted. Once your cruise is complete, we will review the total number of days that were disrupted and provide you with a letter upon your return home with the amounts that can be claimed and details of the claims process. We appreciate that you’ve invested a lot of time and funds for your holiday with us, so we want to ensure that we provide you with peace of mind when travelling with Scenic.

The River Cruise Cover

If your Scenic journey is delayed or cancelled after you have commenced your Scenic journey and before you have disembarked and completed your Scenic journey due to: 1. mechanical breakdown; 2. riots; 3. strikes; 4. civil commotion; 5. river or canal lock damage or closure; 6. adverse weather conditions; or 7. natural disasters.  

What does an itinerary deviation look like? How could it impact my trip and how might I be compensated?

A deviation can be a quick, minor inconvenience, a prolonged change or an extended disruption depending on the circumstances.  A minor disruption may include:    In the event that a ship can’t pass through a section of the river (due to water levels, a closed lock or river obstruction, for example), we use coaches to transfer you from your original Scenic Space-Ship to a new Space-Ship on the other side of the obstruction. These “ship swaps” are performed with the least impact possible with your Cruise Director accompanying you onto the new ship with your belongings to ensure the remainder of the cruise is as enjoyable as possible. You will be accommodated in a suite of the same type and value; should this not be possible you will be compensated the difference in the value of the suites.   A prolonged disruption may include:  Using coach transfers to the included sightseeing locations, while continuing to be accommodated on your Scenic Space-Ship. A prolonged disruption may also require us to continuously cruise without stopping for touring. Under Scenic’s River Cruise Cover you will be compensated between $100-$200 per person per day of the disruption should we not be able to fulfil the sightseeing listed in the itinerary.    An extended disruption or major impact to your itinerary: In the event of an extended disruption, accommodation off ship will be in local hotels with all meals provided. To the best of our ability we will ensure the hotels are of similar standard to your Scenic Space-Ship. Meals will be included, however, alcoholic drinks and amenities such as butler service, may or may not be included. Touring will be undertaken by coach. As we understand this experience will not be same as being on board the Scenic Space-Ship, under Scenic’s River Cruise Cover you will be compensated based on the suite category booked, between $300-$800 per person per day for up to seven days. Alternatively, a full refund for the remainder of the cruise should you choose to disembark and end/finish your journey.  

We will not pay for claims arising directly or indirectly from: 1. Consequential loss of any kind including loss of enjoyment or any financial loss not specifically covered in the Policy; 2. Pandemic, war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), Civil War, rebellion, revolution, insurrection or military or usurped power; 3. any loss or expense with respect to Cuba or a specially designated person, entity, group or company on the Specially Designated List or which if reimbursed or paid by Us would result in Us being in breach of trade or economic sanctions or other such similar laws or regulations; 4. any nuclear reaction or contamination, ionising rays or radioactivity; 5. any Goods and Services Tax (GST) liability or any fine, charge or penalty You are liable for because of a failure to fully disclose to Us Your input tax credit entitlement for the premium; Examples of what is classed as a normal disruption and is therefore not covered: • If high water levels prohibit the sailing of the ship for an afternoon but we are able to make it under the bridge that evening and deliver you to your scheduled disembarkation place the following day. • If we swap ships due to high/low water and the ship swap takes less than 6 hours to complete • If we embark/disembark the ship less than 100 kilometres from your scheduled point of embarkation • If we have to make alternate arrangement for any itinerary activities. For example, if due to prevailing conditions we are not able to attend Marksburg Castle and we select a replacement of similar quality, this will not constitute an event of delay.

Who do I talk to for more information?

*Please note that Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours are not liable for COVID-19 and other pandemic related issues such as quarantines, delays, lockdowns, repatriation expenses, loss of touring, loss of inclusions, border closings or location entry requirements or restrictions, etc. We strongly recommend guests obtain travel insurance to cover such costs and risks as well as any others resulting from Force Majeure Events

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Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

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WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
• Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

• Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
• Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
• Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

• Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
• Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

• Travel Guard Preferred upgrades include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.
• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your affordable travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

• Age and number of travelers being insured.
• Trip length.
• Total trip cost.
• The travel insurance plan you choose.
• The travel insurance company.
• Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.

Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

• Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
• Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

• Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
• Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
• Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
• Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

• How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
• Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
• The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

• Medical emergencies.
• Trip delays.
• Trip interruption.
• Trip cancellation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

• Rental car damage coverage. 
• Medical bundle.
• Security bundle.
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Adventure sports bundle.
• Pet bundle.
• Wedding bundle.
• “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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Scenic Luxury Tours Travel Insurance - 2024 Review

Scenic luxury tours travel insurance - review.

• Reputable Insurer
• Cancel For Any Reason Pays Cash Refund
• Low Medical And Evacuation Coverage
• Difficult To Buy

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Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours provides exciting and culturally rich ocean and river cruises to some of the most sought-after destinations in the world. They pride themselves on taking 5-star travel to a higher level and luxuries you would expect to pay extra for, such as butler service, are included in the cost of your cruise, making your vacation an unforgettable experience.

Our Scenic Luxury Cruise: The Best of the Balkans

For this review, we use a sample couple, ages 55 and 60, who selected a 15-day cruise through the Balkans for $9,200.

The trip begins in Budapest and ends in Bucharest and travels through countries considered the ‘crossroads of Europe’.

As you proceed through the booking process, you are given the option to include free return airfare OR receive $1000 off the trip cost per person, but not both. You must select one or the other. We opted to find our own airfare and took the $1000/pp discount instead. This reduces our overall cruise cost to $7200.

Another option you are presented prior to purchase is the ‘Deposit Protection’ plan. This $125 per person upsell lets you reschedule your booking within 24 months (whether you use it or not) without losing the original non-refundable deposit. However, travel insurance renders this charge irrelevant. Simply cancel the trip for a covered reason and the insurance reimburses you for the deposit so you can rebook when ready. Therefore, we declined this upsell. Our final total cost after taking the $1000pp discount comes to $7200 for both travelers.

How to Buy Travel Insurance with Scenic’s Partner – TripMate

Scenic does not sell their own travel insurance.  They have partnered with TripMate to provide travel insurance. You must go to the TripMate website for a quote and to purchase. In 2019 TripMate was acquired by Generali Global, so the policies they provide are Generali policies.

When looking at the insurance on TripMate, we have a choice of the Travel Protection Plan or the Travel Protection Plus Plan which is their Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy. Coverages for both are listed below:

The Travel Protection Plan provides $50,000 of medical coverage and $100,000 of medical evacuation coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are automatically waived if the policy is purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit or payment.

Choosing the Travel Protection Plus provides the same coverage but adds the Cancel For Any Reason benefit to provide a 75% refund of the trip cost if cancelling for a reason not listed in the policy.

In terms of price, for our sample trip, choosing the Travel Protection Plan would be $782 while the Travel Protection Plus Plan would be $1174.

Now let’s compare with travel insurance we can find in the open marketplace for our trip.

Alternatives to Scenic’s Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance covers the financial costs of an unexpected event while traveling from lost bags to medical treatment. Trip Insurance shines when it can cushion worst case scenarios.

Therefore, we recommend traveling with at least  $100,000 of Medical Insurance protection, $250,000 Medical Evacuation, and a Pre-existing Medical Conditions Waiver . For trips further afield such as Antarctica or Southeast Asia, we recommend having a minimum of $500,000 of medical evacuation.

To find alternative options to Scenic’s insurance through TripMate, we ran comparison quotes for the $7,200 trip using the TripProtectors travel insurance quote engine.

The least expensive policy that meets our minimum requirements is the Trawick First Class. This policy provides $150,000 of medical coverage and $1 million of medical evacuation coverage as well as providing a waiver for pre-existing medical conditions as long as the policy is purchased withing 14 days of the initial trip payment or deposit. Total cost for both travelers combined is $377.74, which is $404.16 LESS than the Travel Protection program offered by TripMate.

Next, we look at a comparable Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) policy. The least expensive policy that meets our requirements is the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%).

It also provides $150,000 of medical coverage and $1 million of medical evacuation coverage as well as providing a waiver for pre-existing medical conditions as long as the policy is purchased withing 14 days of the initial trip payment or deposit. Total cost for both travelers combined is $642.16, which is $531.85 LESS than the Travel Protection Plus program offered by TripMate.

Both Trawick plans offer greater benefits at a much lower price than Scenic’s travel insurance through TripMate! Let’s see how the policies compare side-by-side:

Cost Comparison

Overall, both the Protection Plan and Protection Plus Plan have minimal coverage for an extremely high price.

By shopping for cruise insurance through TripProtectors our two travelers can have 3x times the medical coverage and 10x more medical evacuation coverage than the Scenic Luxury Cruises’ Plans.

The Trawick First Class is $404.16 LESS than the Protection Plan while the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) is $531.85 LESS than the Protection Plus Plan. The savings with these policies could be used for airfare, additional excursions, or shopping.

In the following sections, we discuss know what to look for when shopping for travel insurance for your Scenic Luxury Tours & Cruises trip.

Trip Cancellation

A significant concern for travelers is  Trip Cancellation . If you became ill or had an accidental injury prior to your departure date, you may have to cancel your travel arrangements, resulting in financial losses. While disappointing, Trip Cancellation is doubly painful without cancellation insurance.

The Scenic’s Protection Plan and Protection Plus Plan provide a wide range of cancellation reasons listed below, which are similar to the reasons listed in policies available at TripProtectors :

• Unexpected injury, illness, or death of traveler or non-traveling family member
• Involvement of a traffic accident that causes you to miss your cruise
• Residence uninhabitable by natural disaster, fire, flood, burglary
• Destination uninhabitable or unreachable by fire, flood, or natural disaster
• Revocation of military leave
• Subpoena or being called to serve jury duty
• Documented theft of passports or visas
• Employer-initiated transfer of 250 miles or more
• Mechanical breakdown of a common carrier
• Default or bankruptcy of the common carrier or travel supplier

Trip Interruption

A  Trip Interruption  is a situation during your trip that causes you to miss some or the rest of your vacation. It’s like Trip Cancellation but happens during your travels.

The most common trip interruption is the injury or illness of a traveler. If you had an injury or illness on your vacation but can continue traveling after treatment, trip interruption reimburses the unused portion of the trip, and the cost to rejoin the trip in progress.

Trip interruption also includes a family member who had a sudden grave illness or passed away. If your covered situation requires curtailing the trip and going home early, Trip Interruption also reimburses for the unused portion of the trip, plus the added cost of going home early.

Both the Travel Protection and Protection Plus Plans provide 150% refund of trip costs as do the Trawick First Class and First Class (CFAR 75%) policies.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason  cruise insurance provides the highest level of flexibility and reimbursement if you must cancel your trip for any reason not covered by the policy.

If you cancel your Scenic cruise for a reason  not  listed in their travel policy, there is no refund with the Protection Plan, but you would receive a 75% refund in cash with the Protection Plus Plan. Surprisingly, they do refund in cash instead of cruise credits like other cruise lines. When it comes to refunds, we always prefer cash since future credits may not be used.

Travel insurance policies like the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) also pay a 75% cash refund of all prepaid, non-refundable trip costs including arrangements made outside of Scenic. This could include hotels, excursions, and transfers.

Cancel For Any Reason policies have several stipulations:

• Purchase the policy within 10 - 21 days (depending on policy), of your initial payment or deposit date and
• Insure 100% of the prepaid trip costs subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions. For additional prepaid non-refundable payments made after the purchase of the policy, insure within 10-21 days (depending on policy), of each subsequent payment added to your trip, and
• Cancel your trip 2 days or more before your scheduled departure date.

Medical Insurance for Emergency Treatment

One of the most important factors in selecting trip insurance is having adequate Medical Insurance  when you travel. Anything can happen, including accidental injuries or sudden illness.

If you have a medical emergency when traveling and don’t have proper medical insurance coverage while overseas, you could find yourself with huge, unexpected hospital bills. Many Americans mistakenly believe countries with universal health care will treat them for free. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Instead, Americans receive treatment at private hospitals, not public, and must pay like anyone else. Admission for inpatient care can cost $3,000-$4,000 per day, plus the cost of treatment, x-rays, surgeries, and specialists.

A common misconception is that Medicare will pay for hospitalization overseas.  Unfortunately, they won’t. Medicare does not pay providers outside the US. Some Medicare supplements do cover overseas, but have lifetime limits or reduced benefits, and pay for emergencies only. They can still require you to pay 20% of the costs. As a result, you could go on vacation and end up with medical bills in the thousands.

TripProtectors   urges overseas travelers to take travel medical insurance of at least $100,000 per person . In a medical emergency, $100,000 provides ample health care and helps protect your retirement savings from unexpected financial burdens.

Scenic’s Protection and Protection Plus Plans only provide a $50,000 benefit for Medical Insurance. Both the Trawick First Class and First Class (CFAR 75%) policies includes $150,000 per person of Medical Insurance, so you can receive proper treatment without ending up in debt.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

Medical Insurance isn’t the only potentially expensive part of a trip.  Emergency Medical Evacuation  transports you from the place of injury or illness to the closest hospital. Once you’re stable enough for transport, Medical Evacuation brings you home via commercial flight or, if necessary, private medical jet.

Medical flights can cost up to $35,000 per hour and regular health insurance does not cover it. In addition, the US State Department does not offer any medical treatment or evacuation assistance for US citizens. TripProtectors advises travelers to get at least $250,000 Medical Evacuation to assure there’s enough coverage to get them back home from almost anywhere if they experience a serious medical event. However, if traveling to Asia or Africa or beyond, we recommend a minimum of $500,000 for Emergency Medical Evacuation due to the distance from the US.

Scenic’s Protection and Protection Plus Plans include Medical Evacuation up to $100,000 per person. The Trawick First Class and First Class (CFAR 75%) plans offer $1 million per person for Medical Evacuation, so you can feel secure knowing you have adequate coverage to transport you back home if needed.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

A significant concern for senior travelers can be pre-existing medical conditions. A Pre-Existing Medical Condition is one in which you’ve received medical treatment, testing, medication changes, added new medications, or received a recommendation for a treatment or test that hasn’t happened yet. Most travel insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless you purchase the policy within the required time period from your initial trip deposit date (called the Time Sensitive Period). Otherwise, the insurer will look backward 60, 90, or 180 days (depending on the policy) from the date you purchased the insurance to see if there are any pre-existing medical conditions they won’t cover. This is called the Look Back Period. Any medical conditions older than this Look Back Period, unchanged or stabilized with no medication dosage changes are covered, as are any new conditions that arise after you purchase the policy.

If you must cancel, interrupt, or seek medical treatment for a medical condition while traveling, travel insurance policies typically exclude claims related to Pre-existing Medical Conditions. However, if you purchase the policy within a few days of your Initial Trip Payment or Deposit date, many policies add a Waiver to the policy that covers Pre-existing Conditions. As a result, there is no Look Back Period and Pre-existing Conditions are covered.

The Protection and Protection Plus Plans cover Pre-Existing Conditions as long as the policy is purchased within 14 days of the initial trip payment or deposit. This is also the case for the Trawick First Class and First Class (CFAR 75%) plans.

Price and Value

The Scenic Protection and Protection Plus Plans offer lower than expected coverage for the high price. The medical insurance coverage is only $50,000, and the medical evacuation coverage is only $100,000, which may not be adequate for a serious illness or injury. We were pleased to see both plans offer a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver, robust cancellation reasons and cash refunds when using the Cancel For Any Reason option. While better than many other cruise insurances, the price for this coverage is very high.

In contrast, by comparison shopping, we found the Trawick First Class policy comes in at $377.74, which is $404.16 LESS than the Scenic Protection Plan while the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) comes in at $642.16, which is $531.85 LESS than the Scenic Protection Plus Plan. Both Trawick plans include superior medical and evacuation benefits, as well as the pre-existing medical condition waiver if purchased within a Time Sensitive Period of 14 days from the deposit date, and a robust list of cancellation reasons. The extra savings over the Scenic plans could be used for additional excursions, shopping, or meals.

The Scenic Protection and Protection Plus Plans provide decent coverage in most areas but not enough medical coverage for our comfort. Their upsell of the Deposit Protection Plan should be avoided as this benefit is a waste of money and can be adequately covered by regular trip insurance. Overall, we rate it a 7 out of 10.

Travelers planning a Scenic Luxury Tours vacation will find the best value for their money and peace of mind when they shop for travel insurance at TripProtectors Travel Insurance Marketplace. There, you can review dozens of options and select the best policy to fit your needs.

To help you find the best policy, TripProtectors recommends having at least $100,000 in travel medical coverage and $250,000 emergency medical evacuation when traveling outside the US. And, if you purchase the policy within the 14-21 days of initial trip payment, please consider a travel insurance policy with the pre-existing condition waiver included to ensure the most coverage for your money.

If you are planning a Scenic Luxury Tours vacation in 2022, be sure to pack insurance before you travel. You never know when you may need it.

Have questions? Chat with us online, send us an email at  [email protected]  or alternatively call us at  +1(650) 397-6592 . We would love to hear from you.

Safe Travels!

This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.

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City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

• Hop-on or hop-off at any of Moscow’s main highlights
• Views of Moscow from an open-top, double-decker bus
• Learn about the city with recorded commentary
• Visit Red Square, Alexander Gardens, and more
• Bus pass inclusions: 48 or 72 hour bus pass + walking tour
• Boat pass inclusions: 60 minute boat trip + walking tour
• Bus & Boat pass inclusions: 48 hour bus pass + 60 minute boat trip + walking tour
• Vouchers valid for 12 months
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Location Name: The route begins at Red Square but you can board at any stop
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Red Route runs from 10:00am - 6:00pm, every 25 minutes. Duration - 60 minutes. First stop - Bolotnaya Square.
• Most travelers can participate
• Green Route runs from 10:00am - 6:00pm, every 60 minutes. Duration - 120 minutes. First stop - Bolotnaya Square.
• Orange Route (currently suspended) runs from 10:30am - 6:30pm, every 30 minutes. Duration - 140 minutes. First stop - Museum of Cosmonautics
• Walking tour runs daily at 10:45am. Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes. Meeting point - Next to monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
• Boat tour operates 5th May - 20th October, from 11:30am - 6:30pm. Duration - 60 minutes. Meeting point - Zaryadye Park Pier.
• Mobile and paper vouchers are accepted for this tour.
• Vouchers can be redeemed at any of the stops along the routes.
• Vouchers are valid for 12 months
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• DebbJ 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to get oriented to Moscow We started our Moscow experience with the hop on hop off. It was a great way to get orientated to the city. The additional optional tours were also good, we did the Metro tour which I highly recommend, we also paid for the Kremlin tour. The hop on hop off has three different lines all included. Only fault was the bus was sometimes full and you had to wait for the next one which was about 15 minutes (in the cold). Read more Written January 6, 2020
• UmaDelhi 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 2 days are required Very very good audio guides- the voice quality was also good and also the anecdotes of history were brilliant. Russia is truly beautiful Read more Written September 1, 2019
• BeverleyT 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Boat trip - TERRIBLE We got on the bus, but couldn’t buy a 1 day ticket. They suggested we do the 1 hour boat trip and said they would drop us to the dock. 1) they dropped us in the wrong place 2) they were lost because of the marathon Then the boat, after we finally found it: 1) stinking fumes, actually gagging 2) no commentary, in fact, no interaction unless you begged 3) offered us 2 for 1 icecreams as they had melted and refrozen as the fridge gets turned off at night Honestly, we enjoyed the afternoon in the boat but spent all of it laughing at just how awful it was!!! The worst thing in Moscow! Read more Written August 18, 2019
• niruDurbs 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Not the best value for the price The ticket is quite expensive and covers three different routes in a 24 hour period. The red route is quite exciting and takes about an hour. The bus comes every 10 to 15 minutes. However the other two routes take about two hours each and buses come every 30 to 40 minute period. If the bus is full then you have to wait at the stop for the next bus. So personally I feel that not much can be seen this way. I definitely was not impressed. However it must be noted that one can learn a lot about the history of Moscow Read more Written July 3, 2019
• IrishCueTravel 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles SLO Motion Not all their fault , but if you plan on trying this Attraction be patient! Traffic is a big problem first and foremost. But to add additional unnecessary delays; the bus stops at each site for 15 minutes at a time or More ! I gave up half way through ( 45 minutes) ; and walked back to the starting point in 10 minutes! Read more Written June 4, 2019
• michael g 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Worst hop on/hop off EVER Waited for 40 minutes in the cold rain for a bus that never came... unacceptable. Traffic is so bad that when on a bus the previos day it was barely moving. My advice-get a subway pass and a good travel guide book and do sightseeing on your own! Read more Written October 24, 2018
• Rebecca J 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Boat element was excellent We purchased a ticket online for the boat and bus for 2 days. The boat element was wonderful, we saw some amazing parts of Moscow along the river side. The bus element was very disappointing as it only started at 10am and was finished by 6:30pm. It was extremely warm when we were there and it would have been great to do the tour in the cool of the day. There was also no air conditioning in the down stairs part of the bus. They also turned away passengers at one of the stops as the bus was full and there was not another bus for 40 minutes. Read more Written September 26, 2018
• Monismith2014 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles it was very enjoyable it was very interesting seeing things we saw walking around from the bus. so much more to see. we had a lot better view of the attractions from the height of the bus.also the bus was reasonable slow which gave us time enough for photos. it stopped at sparrow hill for 10 minutes for picture taking Read more Written September 20, 2018
• fati666222 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles The best way to see Moscow We did both routes but if you have little time then only do the red route.Its very informative and it takes you to the important sights.The staff on the bus are very friendly and helpful. Read more Written August 20, 2018
• adolfo17 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles The worst hope-on hope-off service I've ever seen Diffiult to understand the route maps and stops. Staff wouldn't help either. Lengthy stops. No air conditioning. Read more Written August 4, 2018
• Peter F 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Two Routes There is a short red route which depending on the traffic takes about an hour. The route is generally around the Red Square area. The ear phones were small and sometimes the commentary did not link up with the sites you were seeing. The green bus takes you on a longer route and ours took two and a half hours due to the heavy traffic. I would not recommend this trip unless it is raining or you want to fill in time. The sights we saw were nothing outstanding with plenty of time at certain stops for photos. Also the driver stop for a bite to eat at one stop. Read more Written July 30, 2018
• Bernardo P 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Boat Trips Moscow, Russia Yesterday, I booked a boat trip with the GetYourGuide.com web page and was totally horrible, didn’t have audio guide as it shows on the picture-Nobody Talk-. The girl on the picture-light blue bag-ask for 100 Rubles for show her the QR Code while I had the Booking and PIN number cause she must see the vessel name-Didn’t say nothing and after she said board any vessel. I suggest take the trip and pay on site, avoid fake internet pages, there are many other services with a lot of entertainment, don’t take this ones. Read more Written July 14, 2018
• Kathrynowl91 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Good way to see some sites We usually do these tours when we travel. They get you round and you see the sight . The traffic is quite heavy so it is a bit slow but there is not a lot they can do about it. We only did the red route. Just a note people don’t queue here when the bus comes it’s a bit of a free for all. Read more Written July 13, 2018
• Daniyal91 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Was Ok.! Started our tour of moscow from here, We had got the 2 Day Pass with the boat ride. The route and the map was good but not well managed. The bus didn't stop at many points. Were were unaware a couple of times at what point we were and missed them. Headphones and maps were provided. Would recommend one should check out the route map before going and decide which places to stop in advance, this way one can manage and enjoy the tour more and us it more effectively.! The boat ride was Ok, a little crowded. No guide provided, just a boat ride with restaurant service Read more Written July 12, 2018
• WilliamDyer 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Poor service on boat and too many waiting times on buses For the price, you should expect at minimum English speaking tour guides with decent experience, but at least in my case that did not happen both in buses and boats. And in the boat even tough we were 90% English speaking tourist at least, the tour guide spoke 95% of the time in Russia, and only 3 sentences in English, I really counted how many times she spoke in English. And at the end she asks us if we have any questions? Of course I told her I couldn’t ask her anything since I didn’t understand 95% of what she was saying. The boat tour is not worth it, just take the bus that would be my advice. Second minus is the waiting times, in the boat they made us wait an hour before it departed, and in many stops with the buses waiting times of 20-30 minutes. I actually think I lost that day around 2 hours doing nothing. Be careful. Read more Written July 10, 2018

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise provided by City Sightseeing Moscow

Frequently asked questions

Find the answers to a range of commonly asked questions.

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Quick and simple answers to our most frequently asked questions

Hassle shouldn’t play a part in your holiday. Here on our FAQs page, you’ll find the answers you’re looking for to plan, prepare, and pack for your luxury cruise without any stress.

10 most commonly asked questions

From what’s included in the price of your luxury cruise to what you should pack for your holiday, you’ll find answers to the 10 most common questions we’re asked by our guests here. Need further help? Reach out to our team for assistance.

Are there different suite categories and prices?

We offer a variety of suite categories and types dependent on the ship you'll be travelling on. Information about the various suite options can be found in our brochures  or alternatively, our Reservations Team will be able to assist you on the phone .

Can Scenic arrange my passport and visas?

Scenic cannot arrange a passport or visas on your behalf, but our experienced Reservations Team may be able to advise you on the type of visas and documentation you need when visiting certain countries. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the conclusion of your trip. Please check your passport before departure and give yourself time to apply for a new one if this is required. Also, if the nationality on your passport differs from the country in which you currently reside, contact your local consulate to ensure you have the right documents for travel. Your holiday may be disrupted if you cannot provide valid documents at airports and border crossings. You can find out more about visa requirements here .

Can Scenic organise my travel insurance?

No, Scenic is unable to provide travel insurance. We'd recommend that you arrange insurance cover that best suits you and covers you in the event of unforeseen circumstances. It’s also a good idea to take any documents relating to your insurance with you when you travel.

Do Scenic accommodate those with special dietary requirements?

Yes, Scenic accommodates special dietary requirements to the best of our ability across our river cruises, ocean voyages and land journeys where applicable. If you have special dietary requests, please notify us at the time of booking and inform your Cruise Director when you arrive. Please note: while we endeavour to accommodate all dietary requirements, special requests are not guaranteed and failure to meet any request is not a breach of contract on our behalf. If your question has not been fully answered, please get in touch via our Contact Us page .

How do I book with Scenic?

If you would like to book a Scenic river cruise, ocean voyage or land journey, please call 0161 768 8129 or visit our Contact Us page . Our dedicated Reservations Team will guide you through the booking process and answer any queries you might have. For more information on making a booking, or to choose your perfect itinerary, please see our latest brochures, here .

What clothing do I need to pack?

There are no specific pieces of clothing we insist you pack, however we can offer advice, based upon your itinerary. We recommend comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing, as well as any garments, such as hats, gloves and water-resistant jackets, which will help you to stay comfortable whatever the weather. The dress code across all Scenic cruise and tour itineraries is casual and comfortable. Dinner attire is smart casual - open-neck shirts, trousers and dresses; you may if you wish wear a jacket or blazer with a tie but it is not required.

What is included when I book a cruise or tour?

Scenic river cruises include an all-inclusive promise. Fine dining, complimentary beverages, excursions, transfers, on board Wi-Fi, porterage, port charges, tips and taxes are all included. With no hidden extras to worry about throughout your cruise, you can virtually leave your wallet at home. For the full list of inclusions when booking with Scenic, please refer to your itinerary or contact our dedicated Reservations Team .

What is the standard baggage allowance?

You are entitled to carry one suitcase per person with the total sum of its length, width and height not exceeding 76 x 53 x 28cm (30 x 21 x 11in), and a maximum weight not exceeding 20kg (airline dependent). Overweight or oversized items may not be carried, however, some ships may permit additional baggage at your cost. Personal and valuable items such as make-up, cameras, medication or money/currency should be carried in a separate travel bag.

When will we receive our final documents?

You can expect your travel documents to arrive between 2 – 4 weeks prior to your departure date. When booking within two weeks of travel, your travel documents will be emailed to you to print at home.

Will I require health checks and vaccinations?

If you have a serious medical condition, we recommend consulting your GP before booking with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. If you have any mobility difficulties, you should inform us at the time of booking. Your GP will provide information regarding any and all vaccinations required to visit any of the destinations on a Scenic itinerary. Alternatively, see the NHS website .

General Information

Our general information FAQs can help you plan and prepare for a comfortable getaway. From Wi-Fi access to information on facilities, we’ve covered everything you need to know about life on board our luxury vessels.

Are additional tours available throughout the cruise or tour?

Scenic itineraries feature a number of optional tours and excursions, including helicopter and hot air balloon rides in selected destinations (optional activities may incur additional costs). All our river cruises, ocean voyages and land journeys include a wide selection of daily excursions and special events, handpicked by our Journey Designers to offer once-in-a-lifetime encounters. Read more about our truly all-inclusive Scenic Freechoice, Scenic Enrich and Scenic Sunset Drinks activities in our brochures, here .

Are all meals and drinks included?

Yes, all meals and drinks (with the exception of a selection of speciality wines and rare spirits) are included in the price of your Europe river cruise or Scenic Eclipse voyage. Inclusions differ for land journeys and the land element of South East Asia river cruises. Selected meals and drinks are included. Please refer to the itinerary for full details.

Are any on board salon and spa services available?

Our ships feature a salon, spa, and wellness area offering a variety of services. Please note that salon and spa services are not included in the price of your river cruise or ocean voyage, and are charged as extras.

Can I order a gift to be placed in the suite?

Yes, you can. To arrange this, please contact our UK call centre on 0161 768 8129 and the team will be able to help you.

Can I order refreshments to the suite?

A variety of refreshments, including alcoholic and hot drinks, and light lunches and snacks, can be ordered to your suite. Most of our Europe river cruise ship operate an 18-hour all-inclusive room service policy. Room service is available 24 hours a day on Scenic Eclipse.

How can I pay for purchases on board?

All purchases made on board your Scenic Space-Ship or Scenic Eclipse are charged to your shipboard account, which is payable at the end of your cruise. The on board currency on most Scenic Space-Ships is the Euro, and on Eclipse it is USD. Your shipboard account may be paid in Euros or via credit card on river cruises, and in USD or via credit card on ocean voyages. Please note: When travelling on the Mekong, the currency is USD, and in Egypt, it's the Egyptian Pound. However, your shipboard account may only be paid by credit card.

How can I unsubscribe from the database?

To unsubscribe from our database, please write to: Marketing, Scenic, Floor 1, Piccadilly, Manchester M1 3BN If your question has not been fully answered, please get in touch via our Contact Us page .

How do I request the use of a Scenic e-bike?

If you'd like to use a Scenic e-bike, please notify the reception staff the day before. They will organise for the bikes to be unloaded when the ship enters port. Please note that Scenic e-bikes are not available, and are not available during Portugal cruises due to cycling path restrictions along the respective rivers.

Is it possible to visit the wheelhouse on my ship?

Guests can access the wheelhouse with prior consent from the Captain. A tour of the wheelhouse offers great insight into the intricacies of river navigation, particularly as the ship passes through complex locks. Please speak to your Cruise Director if you're interested in visiting the wheelhouse during your cruise.

Is there an on board fitness room?

All our ships feature a gym and fitness area, so you can continue your keep-fit regime during your river cruise. There's also a designated walking area on the Sun Deck.

Is Wi-Fi provided on the ships or in hotels?

Complimentary Wi-Fi access is available on board some of our vessels. Please be aware that internet access may be limited or non-existent at certain times due to high demand from other users, or proximity to telecommunication services. We cannot guarantee that you will have full Wi-Fi coverage in your suite. If you are travelling on a land journey, please note that Wi-Fi is available at selected hotels only.

What are the on board dining times?

Dining times may vary depending on the day's activities, but are generally as follows: Breakfast: 7am – 9:30am Lunch: 12pm – 2pm Dinner: 7pm – 10pm Please note: if a specific sightseeing excursion means you will miss a meal on board, speak to a member of staff and they will be happy to have a picnic box prepared for you before you depart.

What are the Sun Deck opening times?

Guests can access the Sun Deck from 8am to late evening. However, the crew may need to close access to the Sun Deck without notice for safety purposes or due to local authority restrictions.

What is the main language spoken on Scenic cruises and tours?

The main language is English. All staff, crew and tour guides speak English, and all announcements and lectures will be made in English.

What is the seating plan in the Crystal Dining room?

We offer a flexible, open seating service in most of our dining rooms, including the main Crystal Dining room. This allows you the flexibility to sit at a table of your choosing and to arrive at a dining time that suits you.

What type of food can I expect on board?

Scenic ships are equipped with a range of dining venues, each offering a unique dining experience that reflects the local region and its customs. Our chefs are keen to showcase local cuisines and delicacies, so the food on offer may differ from what you are accustomed to back home. Each on board eatery is designed to enhance your cruise, and we’re sure you’ll love much, if not all, of the delicious food on offer.

When can I use the pool?

Not all of our ships have a pool, and pool opening times may vary depending on the cruise location. Please speak to your Cruise Director upon arrival to check pool opening times during your cruise. Pools are available on the following ships: - Scenic Sapphire - Scenic Diamond - Scenic Azure - Scenic Jasper - Scenic Opal - Scenic Amber - Scenic Spirit - Scenic Eclipse - Scenic Eclipse II

Where can I help myself to complimentary hot drinks?

Tea and coffee making facilities are available at designated stations throughout the ship, including in the Crystal Dining room, Observatory Lounge and River Café. Alternatively, hot drinks can be ordered to your suite.

Which meals are offered as a buffet service?

Both breakfast and lunch are offered as a full buffet service and include a wide array of hot and cold dishes for you to enjoy. Dinner is served à la carte, and there is no buffet service available in the evenings (please note: some themed cruises may include a buffet dinner).

Will there be a Cruise Director on my cruise or tour?

Yes, an experienced Cruise Director or Tour Director accompanies every Scenic river cruise, ocean voyage and land journey. Our experienced team are responsible for co-ordinating excursions and dealing with any special requests from guests. Working closely with the crew and guests, our Cruise and Tour Directors help our luxury river cruises, ocean voyages and land journeys run smoothly.

What are the group sizes for Land Journey itineraries?

The maximum group size is 36 guests, however this differs per destination and itinerary.

What type of food can I expect on my land journey?

You can look forward to sampling local delicacies in some of the world's foremost restaurants, dining experiences and hotels. Our Journey Designers have handpicked a range of special dining experiences for you to enjoy throughout your tour, helping you experience cuisine that reflects the local region and its customs.

When are Scenic Freechoice and Scenic Freechoice Dining options chosen?

Once the booking has been made, guests can log on to their Trip Personaliser and book their chosen Scenic Freechoice and Scenic Freechoice Dining options. If the options do not show on the Trip Personaliser, guests will choose these with the Tour Director on tour.

Prior to travel

Know before you go with our prior-to-leaving FAQs. Whether you want to find out what our standard baggage allowance is, need help with your final documents, or have a question about accessibility; we’ll provide you with the answer you’re looking for.

Once I've booked, what other information do you require?

Once your booking is confirmed, you'll need to enter your personal details on Trip Personaliser prior to travelling (details on Trip Personaliser will be sent to you). Required information: Personal details

• Contact number

Next of kin details

• Relationship

Passport details

• Nationality
• City & country of birth
• Issue & expiry dates
• Passport number
• Country of issue

Additional details

• Frequent Flyer membership - if applicable
• VISA numbers - if applicable

Please note, all guests must complete their Trip Personaliser form prior to travelling. Failure to complete the form may prevent guests sailing with Emerald Cruises.

Am I allowed to take prescription medication?

Yes, you are allowed to carry whatever prescription medication you require, and we’d recommend packing an ample supply that covers the duration of your cruise or tour. Due to strict drug laws in certain countries, make sure medication is carried in its original packaging with the prescription label clearly marked. When travelling through airports or border crossings, we’d recommend that you keep medication in your hand luggage ready for inspection. If your question has not been fully answered, please get in touch via our Contact Us page .

Are Scenic cruises and tours suitable for solo travellers?

Yes, we are happy to accommodate solo travellers on our river cruises, ocean voyages and land journeys.

Do I need to provide Scenic with my health and fitness information prior to travelling?

You will receive a Health and Fitness form in your pre-travel documents, which you have the option to fill out before travelling, with vital information relating to your health. This information will only be used in the event of an emergency and will be returned to you unopened upon the completion of your cruise. While the form isn’t compulsory, we’d strongly recommend that you fill it in. However, should you have any serious pre-existing medical conditions which could affect your risk of needing medical attention at any point over the course of your trip, you must advise us of this before travel.

Do you offer face-to-face information sessions?

Yes, we do. Our information sessions are the perfect opportunity to find out more about Scenic. Upcoming information sessions will be promoted on the Scenic website. Alternatively contact the team on 0161 768 8129 to register your attendance.

I'm pregnant - can I still travel on a river cruise, ocean voyage or land journey?

The majority of cruise operators recommend that pregnant women should not travel after the 28-week period. If you do decide to travel, you may be asked to provide a doctor's certificate clarifying you're fit to travel.

Should I attach the Scenic luggage label provided prior to departure?

No, please wait until you have collected your luggage from your destination airport. The tag may be accidentally removed by airline companies or may be lost/damaged in transit. Scenic luggage labels are required to keep your luggage safe during transfers, so it’s important to retain it until you have checked into your suite or hotel.

What fitness levels do cruises/tours require?

Due to the amount of excursions available during a Scenic cruise or tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required to take full advantage of each itinerary. You must be physically able and self-sufficient to undertake the cruise or tour you have booked, and/or travel with a companion who is able to provide any assistance you may require during your holiday. Some of the all-inclusive excursions offered require a reasonable level of fitness to complete, and you may be required to climb ramps and/or stairs. Please also note that not all Scenic ships have a lift. Here is a list of the ships which have an elevator and their restrictions: - Scenic Space-Ships in Europe have a lift which services the Diamond Deck and Sapphire Deck. - Scenic Spirit has a lift which services all decks between the Diamond Deck and Gem Deck.

What validity do I need on my passport?

All guests are required to possess a passport valid for 6 months beyond the conclusion of their trip. Please note, if your nationality (passport) differs from the country in which you reside, please take the time to check carefully with your local consulates concerning visa and passport requirements for your travels. Holidays can be disrupted or altered altogether if the correct documents cannot be supplied at airports or borders, so check carefully that you have the required papers.

Ocean Voyages

Our Ocean Voyage FAQs can help you plan and prepare for a comfortable getaway. From Wi-Fi access to information on facilities and what to wear, we’ve covered everything you need to know about life on board our ultra-luxury vessels.

Are credit cards accepted on board?

Mastercard, Visa and AMEX credit cards are accepted. Unfortunately, Debit Cards or Traveller’s cheques are not accepted.

Are dining tables and seating times assigned?

Scenic Eclipse offers dining during a designated time based on the days program and scheduled excursions.

Are drones permitted?

Use of drones is not permitted on board Scenic Eclipse.

Are tables for two available?

Guests can request to be accommodated at tables of two. This is a request only and needs to be made on board with the restaurant manager on embarkation day or with your butler. These requests are better accommodated in the smaller venues.

Can I be contacted on the ship if needed?

If friends or family need to contact you while you are travelling, they can reach you through the ships satellite phone. Please note, charges will apply and there may be limited reception when cruising through remote areas. Scenic Eclipse - US satellite phone number: +1 929 259 6820

Can I pay with cash on board?

USD cash payments will be accepted at the Guest Services. Cash payments made in AUD, NZD, GBP and CAD will be exchanged into USD before settling a guest account. No coins will be accepted, apart from USD coins.

Can I reserve a table in the speciality restaurants prior to my voyage?

Reservations may only be made on board with the Restaurant Manager on embarkation day, or with your butler.

Can you accommodate for special dietary requirements?

Yes, in most cases we are able to accommodate special requirements. Please provide as much detail as possible prior to your cruise departure of your dietary requirements to the Scenic Reservations Team, or your travel agent.

Does Scenic Eclipse have a laundry service on board?

Scenic Eclipse is equipped with a free self-service laundry located on Deck 3. It features washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards and is available 24 hours.

Is there unlimited Wi-Fi on board?

Complimentary internet facilities are available and Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the ship for your personal electronic devices. We cannot guarantee the availability or quality of the internet connections as this may vary according to destination and weather. Please note service will be limited in Polar and remote regions. Some sites also may not be accessible due to Scenic firewall/company protection.

What is the dress code?

When you are relaxing on board, the dress code is smart casual and comfortable. Do not forget your swimsuits and exercise attire for the heated pools and plunge pools, the wellness areas and the gym, yoga and Pilates studio. For evenings, while there are no formal nights, the recommended on board dress code is elegant casual for most restaurants. Suggested attire for women includes a dress, skirt or trousers with a sweater or blouse, and for men, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional, but not required.

What is the on board currency?

The on board currency is US Dollars.

What language is spoken on board?

The official language spoken on board is English. All officers, staff and crew as well as local guides and regional specialists speak fluent English. All announcements and lectures will be presented in English.

What power outlets are in my suite?

The on board electricity is 220 volt/60 Hz. Your suite is equipped with Schuko power sockets, international power sockets (multi-sockets) and USB type-A sockets. Additionally, one 110v/60 Hz United States type power socket is provided in every suite together with a shaver Schuko.

Will newspapers be provided on board?

Yes, newspapers will be provided electronically.

What do I need to pack for polar regions?

To ensure you are properly outfitted for your cruise, Scenic will provide you with a complimentary polar parka on selected voyages. You will receive your parka when you embark your cruise and it is yours to keep as a memento. You will also have complimentary use of polar boots for the cruise duration. In addition to these items, it is imperative that you bring your own waterproof trousers. You can view our Polar Packing Guide here .

What if a guest's shoe size is smaller/larger than the sizes on the chart?

As we can only carry limited sizing’s, guests who may not fit into standard size boots, will need to provide their own boots. To keep feet warm, we recommend insulated polar boots.

What is Ship To Shore?

For 30 years, Ship To Shore has specialised in providing quality expedition clothing and equipment for professional and amateur travellers. Ship To Shore has partnered with Scenic Eclipse to offer you the option to buy or rent gear that can be sent directly to the ship for your Antarctica journey. Below is a dedicated site for our Scenic Eclipse guests outlining the right gear to pack, along with a complete expedition package that includes everything you will need: https://scenic.shiptoshoretraveler.com/destination/115

What should I pack for an Antarctica cruise?

Any trip to Antarctica is a truly thrilling experience, particularly so if it is your first time. However, knowing what to pack for Antarctica can prove challenging. Uncertain about what to bring, many first-time polar travellers typically over pack. You can view our Polar Packing Guide here .

What wildlife could I see in Antarctica?

A plethora of wildlife calls the Antarctic Peninsula home with vast colonies and species of penguins, seals and pods of whales. The sheer amount of wildlife you will have the opportunity to observe on an Antarctica cruise is what makes it so unique and sets it apart from just about any other place in the world. To learn about all the wildlife you could see on an Antarctica cruise, read more here .

What is the difference between Antarctica and the Arctic?

Antarctica and the Arctic are, quite literally, polar opposites, and there are many differences between these two fascinating destinations. Explore our Antarctica and Arctic destination pages to find out more.

Is an Antarctica cruise safe?

Our highest priority is our guest's safety and Scenic Eclipse has been built to ensure the highest international safety standards. Scenic Eclipse uses custom-built stabilisers that are 50% larger than those of other ships and which provide far greater stability as they navigate the world's oceans. With forward bow thrusters, a Polar Class 9 rating, and an electronic Azipod propulsion system, Scenic Eclipse can navigate through Arctic and Antarctica waters safely. This dedication to your safety, environmental protection and world-class innovation has allowed us to design the most inspiring and exciting itineraries possible.

When is the best time to travel to Antarctica?

Winter in Antarctica is exceptionally cold. A complete lack of sunlight and treacherous winds during April to September mean the only accessible time for humans to explore the last great wilderness of Earth is during the warmer months of late October to March. This is when the sea ice begins to melt, allowing ships to cruise through its immaculate waters.

What destinations will I visit on an Antarctica cruise?

Our Antarctica cruises not only take in this extraordinary continent but also visit two fascinating archipelagos. Little islands with big tales to tell, South Georgia Island is one of the most unique and biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth and the Falkland Islands offer up stunning natural beauty, complete with an intriguing history. 

What is Antarctica?

Encompassing an area of 14 million square kilometres, almost twice the size of Australia and home to 90% of all ice on Earth, it soon becomes clear why Antarctica is labelled the “the land of snow and ice”. One of the least explored continents, and laying claim to be the coldest, windiest and driest on Earth, no humans permanently reside here.

What is the address for my embarkation pier?

Pier locations will be outlined in your documentation.

What time does disembarkation start?

All guests must check out of their suites no later than 8:30am; guests can remain in the public areas but need to disembark the ship by 9:30am at the latest. Further information will be provided towards the conclusion of your voyage.

What time does embarkation start?

Embarkation takes place from midday to 3pm.

Who do I contact if my flight is delayed on embarkation day?

Your documentation will contain contact details for our local Scenic representative and Port Agent for the region in which you are travelling.

Can I book a Helicopter and Submarine excursion?

Discovery experiences can only be booked at the Excursion Centre on board and are subject to availability, regulatory approval and prevailing weather, marine and ice conditions and may be cancelled at short notice. We cannot guarantee availability, even if you have made an on board reservation. Some activities require a minimum and maximum number of participants to operate.

When are Scenic Freechoice excursions available to book?

Will tenders be used at my port of call.

A mix of docking in port and tenders will be used for most voyages. Further information will be provided in your documentation.

Do I need a medical certificate to take a cruise?

In order for us to ensure your comfort and safety, all guests need to complete an online medical form, which will be available 90 days prior to sailing.

What are the medical services on board?

For your peace of mind, Scenic Eclipse is equipped with a medical centre offering primary care, staffed at all times by an on call doctor. You must advise us prior to finalising your booking of any pre-existing medical conditions that might increase your risk of requiring medical attention, affecting the normal conduct of the cruise and / or the enjoyment of other cruise guests. It is important to note, however, that there are no hospitals or doctors available in polar and remote regions, and emergency evacuation is extremely difficult and expensive. Cruising conditions can be unpredictable and rough waters may be encountered anytime. If you suffer from seasickness, please consult your Medical Practitioner before your cruise and always carry the recommended preventative medications. Our resident medical team can assist you with additional medication and services if required, with any relevant payments charged to your on board account.

Are children welcome on board?

Luxury expedition style cruising is not recommended for children under 12. Guests under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult and must share their accommodation with an adult. No children programs or babysitting services are available on board.

What is the smoking policy?

Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II are non-smoking vessels in all public areas. There is a designated outside smoking area on Deck 6 for guests. All suites, including suite verandah’s and terraces are non-smoking.

What is the Scenic Eclipse visitor policy?

In selected ports on request, visitors may be allowed on board. Visitation is not permitted on embarkation and disembarkation day. A visitor form is to be completed prior to the cruise. The guests will be informed once approved. Visitors will receive a visitor pass at ship’s gangway after they provide photo identification. Visitors will need to be accompanied at all times.

Accommodation

Our accommodation FAQs cover suite-specific information, including the different cabin options and guidance on what’s included in your room.

Are bathrobes and slippers provided?

Yes, bathrobes and slippers are provided for the comfort of all guests, regardless of suite class.

Are irons and ironing boards provided in the cabin?

No, but all our ships offer a comprehensive laundry service. For information on laundry concierge, please speak to your personal butler upon arrival on board.

Are mini bars provided in the suites?

Yes, a complimentary mini bar is provided in every suite for your enjoyment. This is restocked daily with a selection of beverages and snacks, and you can also order other drinks and meals to your suite.

Are the suites air conditioned?

Individual climate control systems are available in all suites, helping you adjust the temperature to your desired level. If you have trouble operating the system in your suite, your personal butler will be able to assist.

Are there coat hangers in my suite?

Yes, coat hangers are available in all suites.

Are twin rooms available?

Yes, twin rooms are available. Please speak to us about your room requirements at the time of booking.

Does my suite include a hairdryer?

Yes, a hairdryer is included in all suites.

Is there a safe in my room?

Yes, all suites come with a secure safe for your valuables.

What type of plug sockets are in my suite?

Each Scenic river cruise ship is fitted with 220v European electricity outlets, but you will need a suitable European plug adaptor to use electrical items such as mobile phone chargers. Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II are fitted with American electricity outlets.

Will there be a phone in my suite?

All Scenic suites are equipped with a telephone, which can be used to order room service or for outbound calls. Should you use the phone, any outbound calls you make will be charged to your shipboard account, payable at the end of your holiday.

Currency & travel

We want to make sure your cruise runs smoothly on and off the ship, so our travel FAQs provide useful information on things such as local currencies, tipping, and charges.

Are credit cards accepted?

Many locations accept major credit cards, including Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa and American Express, and these can be used in some shops, hotels and restaurants. Please note that some establishments may charge a small fee for credit card transactions, or else enforce a minimum purchase amount. Before you travel, make sure your credit card and pin will work in the country you’re visiting; your bank will be able to help with this matter. Please note that on board Scenic Eclipse & Scenic Eclipse II, unfortunately, Debit Cards or Traveller’s cheques are not accepted.

Does Scenic cover tipping and gratuities?

Yes, tipping and gratuities for drivers, local guides, porters, and waiting staff are included in the total price of your holiday. Please note, tipping is not included for meals, drinks, taxis and transfers outside your itinerary and only applies to on board services. We’d recommend tipping 10-15% in restaurants (unless a service charge has already been applied) and 10-15% on taxi meters. As a rule, always pre-negotiate taxi fares before agreeing to travel.

Is it easy to exchange cash?

Cash or traveller’s cheques can be exchanged easily at hotels, banks or designated exchange bureaus. It’s also possible to buy small amounts of local currency on board your ship for a fee. For the best exchange rate, we’d recommend exchanging money before you travel.

Is porterage included?

Handling and porterage of your luggage (as per the luggage allowance) is included in your cruise or tour. Should you wish to carry bags beyond this allowance, porterage of these items may be charged or you may be responsible for handling the baggage yourself.

What currency do I need to take?

Most countries visited during a Scenic river cruise use the Euro, but some nations have retained their own currency; these include Scandinavian nations, Switzerland and the Eastern European States. For small purchases made on land or in small towns, we’d recommend carrying some local currency as ATMs or credit card facilities may not be available. When booking an ocean voyage or land journey, our experienced Reservations Team will be able to advise on the local currency for the destination you're travelling to.

Booking online

Book your holiday yourself with just a few clicks and secure your place on board.

How do I book a cruise online?

Booking online is easy. Simply browse the itinerary you’re interested in, scroll down and select your departure, and click the ‘Book Now’ button which will then take you to our online booking system.

What information do I need to book my cruise online?

• Full name (as per your passport)
• Date of birth (as per your passport)
• Full address
• Email address

Is booking online secure?

Booking online with Emerald Cruises couldn’t be safer as shown by the padlock visible alongside our URL in the website address bar. All data is sent via RSA encryption and securely stored with us, as outlined in our Privacy Policy .

What payment methods do you accept?

You can pay for your cruise using MasterCard, Maestro, and Visa. Please note, some promotions require specific payment methods. Please refer to the terms and conditions for each individual promotion.

How do I take advantage of a promotion?

Prices shown during the online booking system exclude any additional promotions you may have seen during your visit to our site until a promotion or discount is applied To take advantage of these offers, you can apply them during ‘Confirm & Pay’ stage by selecting ‘Apply Promotion’ below the offer listed.

How do I find out more information about my flights or rail journey?

During step 2 of the online booking process, after completing the guest information section, you’ll be asked if you require flights arranging. This is included in the price of your cruise if paid in full, and a member of the team will be in touch with you using the contact details provided to arrange the best option for you.

What happens after I’ve completed my online booking?

Sit back, relax, and begin your cruise countdown! A member of the team will be in touch soon to discuss travel options with you.

ATOL and safety

We uphold ourselves to the highest standards to ensure you enjoy complete peace of mind.

Is Scenic protected by ATOL?

Yes: ATOL Number 9294.  

Why book with an ABTA member?

Scenic is a member of ABTA: ABTA Number Y6328. As ABTA members, we’re committed to delivering the highest standards for our customers by signing up to ABTA's Code of Conduct . This includes accurate advertising, fair terms of trading, changes to bookings, and managing customer complaints.

Do the ships provide mobility-wheelchair access?

We welcome passengers with medical conditions or disabilities and can provide mobility provisions when notified in writing of a person's needs before boarding. However, please be aware that there may be limitations on board and during excursions. Some of our ships do not have elevators, and where there is an elevator on board it may not access all decks. While collapsible wheelchairs are permitted on board under appropriate circumstances, you must be able to climb up and down stairs on coaches, and some excursions may require you to negotiate cobblestones or climb steps. In addition, standard suites and bathrooms have significant thresholds and cabin doors which limit access, meaning they may not be wide enough to allow access to many wheelchairs. Please speak to a member of our team about your requirements prior to booking so that we can offer information on mobility and access.

Is it safe to travel to/in each of the countries?

If you have concerns about the safety of any destination on your cruise itinerary, we’d recommend making your own enquiries before you travel. The government’s foreign travel advice can be accessed here . This page offers up-to-date safety information on all the destinations listed on the Scenic website.

Is there an emergency contact for the ship?

Full email and telephone contact details for the ship can be found in your final documents.

What are the safety regulations on board Scenic ships?

After boarding your Scenic ship, our crew will run through a brief safety demonstration, highlighting the relevant safety information, as well the emergency procedure. Our ships are built to the highest specification to ensure complete guest safety, and feature a range of life-saving equipment, including sprinkler systems.

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