Understanding Princess Cruise Insurance
Princess Vacation Protection (PVP) is the moniker under which Princess Cruises provides travel protection policies. These policies cover unanticipated events that can interfere with your voyage or call for medical assistance en route. While it's not required, PVP is strongly advised.
Princess Vacation Protection Plan Options
Princess sells two PVP tiers: Platinum and Standard. Both cover trip cancellals, disruptions, medical bills, and emergency evacuations. The coverage values are where the main variations exist. For instance, the Platinum plan usually doubles the medical and evacuation coverage compared to the Standard plan. Standard PVP historically accounts for about 9% of the cruise bill, whereas Platinum runs about 12%. Minimum premiums might apply, and these percentages might change depending on promotions and cruise length.
Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation/Interruption
Under PVP, certain events are covered as causes for trip cancellation or suspension. These often include:
Traveler or close family member illness, injury, or death.
There was a big mishap on the way to the embarkation port.
Natural calamities or extreme storms influence the residence or travel destination.
Required military duty.
Jury duty.
"Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) Feature
The "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) option of Princess Vacation Protection is noteworthy. It lets you postpone your cruise for reasons not explicitly covered in the policy, such as changing your mind or having a family emergency not severe enough to satisfy the regular cancellation policies. With Princess's CFAR, you usually get a future cruise credit—75% for Standard PVP and 100% for Platinum—instead of a cash refund. Usually, within one year, this credit has an expiration date.
Baggage and Travel Delay Coverage
PVP also covers baggage delays, loss, or damage. Likewise, whether your journey is delayed arriving at your cruise or returning home, it reimburses you for expenses paid for trip delays.
Medical Coverage Limitations
Although PVP provides emergency evacuation benefits and medical expenditure coverage, the coverage levels are sometimes less than what standalone travel insurance policies offer. Depending on the plan, Princess might provide $10,000 to $20,000 for medical bills and $25,000 to $75,000 for medical evacuation. Independent insurance could provide far more significant limitations, say $250,000 or more for evacuation and $100,000 or more for hospital bills. This is something you really should give thought to when choosing your coverage.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Usually, a pre-existing medical condition is defined as a health problem you have had or have been treated for within a designated period before your trip. Pre-existing conditions may be limited or excluded from Princess Vacation Protection. If you have health issues, be sure you know these limitations. Sometimes independent travel insurance policies have a "pre-existing condition waiver," which, should bought during a designated period following your original trip deposit, can cover those conditions.
Compared with Independent Travel Insurance
It is imperative to compare Princess Vacation Protection with independent travel insurance products offered by Allianz, AIG, or others. While PVP is handy, independent policies may offer higher coverage limits, broader covered reasons, cash refunds instead of future cruise credits for CFAR, coverage for pre-existing conditions with a waiver, and coverage for travel plans made outside of Princess, such as flights and hotels. Independent policies also vary depending on trip cost, destination, and traveler age, so you can locate insurance that provides better value for your situation.
Strategies for Saving on Cruise Insurance
Compare Quotes: Use online travel insurance marketplaces like AARDY or Squaremouth to compare quotes from multiple insurance providers. This helps you find the best combination of coverage and price.
Consider a "Medical Only" Plan: If you're primarily concerned about medical expenses and emergencies, a "Medical Only" travel insurance plan might be more cost-effective than a comprehensive policy.
Bundle Insurance with Other Travel Purchases: Some travel agents or booking platforms offer discounts on travel insurance when purchased with flights or other travel components.
Check Existing Coverage: Review your health insurance policy or credit card benefits. You may already have some travel protection included, although it's unlikely to be as comprehensive as a dedicated travel insurance policy.
Book Early for Pre-Existing Condition Waivers: If a pre-existing condition waiver is essential, remember that you typically need to purchase the policy within a limited time window after your initial trip deposit to qualify.
| Insurance Provider | Plan Name | Trip Cancellation | Trip Interruption | Medical Expense | Medical Evacuation | Pre-Existing Conditions | Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) | Other Benefits | Cost | How to Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Cruises | Standard Vacation Protection | 100% for covered reasons; 75% future cruise credit for other reasons | 150% of trip cost for covered reasons | $10,000 | $50,000 | Not covered | 75% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) | Baggage delay, baggage/personal effects loss, trip delay | 9% of cruise fare (minimum $39) | At booking, before final payment, or on board. |
| Princess Cruises | Platinum Vacation Protection | 100% for covered reasons; 100% future cruise credit for other reasons | 150% of trip cost for covered reasons | $20,000 | $75,000 | Not covered | 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) | Baggage delay, baggage/personal effects loss, trip delay | 12% of cruise fare (minimum $59) | At booking, before final payment, or on board. |
| Allianz Global Assistance | OneTrip Prime | Up to $100,000 | Up to $150,000 | $50,000 | $500,000 | Available with waiver | 80% cash back (optional upgrade) | Trip delay, baggage delay/loss, 24/7 assistance | Varies based on trip cost and length | Directly through Allianz |
| AIG Travel Guard | Travel Guard Plus (example plan - other options available) | 100% | 150% | $100,000 | $1,000,000 | Waiver included if purchased within policy terms | No (unless stated otherwise) | Missed connection, cancel for work reason, bankruptcy protection | Varies based on trip cost and length | Via AARDY or other travel insurance marketplaces |
| Trawick International | First Class | 100% | 150% | $150,000 | $1,000,000 | Covered if purchased within 14 days of initial trip payment | No | Baggage loss/delay, travel delay, missed connection | Varies based on trip cost and length | Via AARDY or other travel insurance marketplaces |
| Trawick International | First Class (CFAR 75%) | 100% | 150% | $150,000 | $1,000,000 | Covered if purchased within 14 days of initial trip payment | 75% Cash Back | Baggage loss/delay, travel delay, missed connection | Varies based on trip cost and length | Via AARDY or other travel insurance marketplaces |
| Generali Global Assistance | Various Plans | Varies by plan (up to 100% trip cost) | Varies by plan (up to 175% trip cost) | Up to $250,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Covered on some plans (waiver available if purchased within 24 hours of final trip payment) | Available on Premium plan (75% of insured trip cost) | 24/7 travel assistance, concierge services, identity theft resolution | Varies by plan and trip cost | Through Vacations To Go, or other travel agencies |
| Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection | Various Plans | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Available on some plans | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Directly or through comparison sites |
| Travelex Insurance Services | Various Plans | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Available on some plans | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Directly or through comparison sites |
| World Nomads | Various Plans | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Not Available | Adventure activities, budget-friendly | Varies by plan | Directly through World Nomads |
