Read this first
We are not licensed insurance agents, and this is not insurance, legal or medical advice. This page is a starting point so you know what to ask. Read the policy documents, and call the insurer or your cruise line with your questions before you buy.
Affiliate disclosure: the "Compare plans" button goes to Squaremouth. If you buy through it, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we tell you to check.
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Does Medicare Cover You on a Cruise? — Episode #5
Does Medicare cover you on a cruise?
Usually not. Medicare says it covers care on a cruise ship only when the doctor is legally allowed to treat you on the ship and the ship is in a U.S. port or no more than six hours away from one — "regardless of whether it's an emergency." Some Medigap plans may cover emergency care outside the U.S.
What the rules actually say
- Medicare's six-hour rule. Cover applies only when the doctor is legally allowed to treat you aboard and the ship is in a U.S. port or within six hours of one. Source: medicare.gov, "Travel outside the U.S."
- No medical evacuation, with limited exceptions, according to the CDC.
- Medigap plans C, D, F, G, M and N may cover some emergency care in the first 60 days abroad — 80% after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime maximum. Source: CDC Yellow Book, Travel Insurance chapter
- The ship's medical centre isn't free. Royal Caribbean says it doesn't accept land-based health insurance onboard — you pay, then claim. Princess adds medical charges to your onboard account.
The cruise lines' own plans, as published
| Royal Caribbean Travel Protection | Celebrity CruiseCare | Princess Vacation Protection | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical | Up to $100,000 | Up to $100,000 | Not listed on the main page — see plan documents |
| Emergency evacuation | Up to $500,000 | Up to $500,000 | Not listed on the main page — see plan documents |
| Cancel for a listed reason | 100% back | Charges waived | 100% of cancellation fees |
| Cancel for any other reason | 90% as cruise credit | 90% as cruise credit | 100% of cancellation fee as future cruise credit |
| Pre-existing conditions | Not covered (per Squaremouth, June 2026) | Check the policy | Check the policy |
Royal Caribbean raised its limits in 2026 — from $25,000 medical and $50,000 evacuation — with no price change.
Compare these three things before you buy
- Pre-existing conditions. Many outside plans offer a waiver if you buy within about 14 to 21 days of your first trip payment. Royal Caribbean's plan doesn't cover pre-existing conditions. The CDC notes conditions needing hospitalisation within 90 days before departure are often excluded — ask the insurer.
- Cash or credit. If you cancel for a reason the plan doesn't list, the cruise line plans give you cruise credit, not cash. Some outside plans pay cash. Read the policy.
- Price. Squaremouth found Royal Caribbean's plan costs about 8–10% of the cruise, against about 6% on average (range 4–10%) for standard cruise insurance.
Also ask: is the medical coverage primary or secondary? Does it cover my mobility equipment? What about a companion who has to cancel? Missed ports? Getting home early?
Cruise a few times a year?
Ask about an annual, multi-trip plan. It can cost less than buying a plan every trip. Check the trip-length limit, whether cancellation coverage is included, and how pre-existing conditions are handled.
Compare plans yourself
Squaremouth compares policies from multiple insurers side by side, so you can filter for the things that matter here: pre-existing condition waivers, evacuation limits, and whether a cancellation pays cash.
Compare plans on Squaremouth →
Affiliate link. If you buy through it we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and it never changes what we tell you to check. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Questions to ask the insurer
- Is medical coverage primary or secondary?
- Do you cover pre-existing conditions? What's the deadline to buy for the waiver?
- What's the medical evacuation limit, and does it get me home or just to the nearest hospital?
- If I cancel, do I get cash or credit?
- Is my wheelchair, scooter, CPAP or oxygen equipment covered if it's lost or damaged?
- What if my travel companion has to cancel?
Free download: Cruise Insurance Checklist
The Medicare six-hour rule, the medevac cost range, the cruise-line plan table, the three things to compare, the questions to ask — and a side-by-side grid to write down each plan's medical limit, evacuation limit, pre-existing waiver deadline, cancellation payout and price.
The sail date is optional — we only use it to time your reminders. Unsubscribe anytime.
Saying it once more
We are not licensed insurance agents. Limits, exclusions and waiver deadlines change, and the only version that counts is the policy document for the plan you actually buy. Read it, and call the insurer with your questions before you pay.
Where this comes from
- Facts checked on official and named sources, 28 September 2026.
- medicare.gov — travel outside the U.S. · cdc.gov Yellow Book, Travel Insurance chapter
- royalcaribbean.com — cruise travel insurance · royalcaribbeanblog.com (1 June 2026)
- celebritycruises.com — cruise insurance · princess.com — Princess Vacation Protection
- squaremouth.com — Royal Caribbean travel insurance analysis (affiliate partner)
- How we check things · Affiliate Disclosure
Facts checked 28 September 2026.
Sails Anyway is not a licensed insurance agent, not a medical provider, and not affiliated with any cruise line or insurer. Coverage terms change without notice. Confirm everything with the insurer and read the policy documents before you buy.