Would you really want to be dropped into a hospial in a third world nation?

Cruise lines offer a coverage plan as well. One must be sure that any coverage suits what may be a need for them, such as ambulance, evacuation to a hospital and so forth, coverage in the ships infirmary –

just because a ship HAS a medical center and has a “British, or Italian or German” flair, that does not mean that the ships line will cover your costs as free because health car is free in that country – it goes by THE COUNTRY OF REGISTRY, so, do not expect a freebee with the doctor for medical treatment, it will be added to your shipboard account, and that goes for meds, believe me, I know mean , I was treated for a blown out knee during a Princess cruise, got extremely excellent care, but paid for it, my personal insurance would not cover it, and we had not taken travel insurance. Lesson learned.

If you have ANY medical problem you must have insurance that covers “current ” or PRE-EXISTING conditions. Read the policy thouroughly, have it translated from boiler plate to everyday language, but, do take it out.

Also, loss of lugagge and baggage coverage is alo important.

Last, some people may have as part of their home owners insurance, buried in part of the umbrella package, travel insurance,

There was an incident on the Queen Mary 2 five years ago whereby a crew memeber in the galley was severly cut and was air lifted to the RAF to Ireland for treatment. Cunard kept us all abreast of his ordeal thoughout the crossing. It was dramtic to say the least to see a chopper come out of the fog and headed to our balcony and then swerve to the bow to land.

Since this happened in St. Thomas,and American territory, our US medicare was accepted, had we been in either of our other 2 ports, our story would have been a bit different. If there is one thing CM always says, is to be insured,and I cannot say enough, to please, please, buy travel insurance..peace of mind is priceless.