Since 1992, I have sailed on many cruises and enjoyed many trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, Bahamas, and Jamaica. I would not even consider traveling without travel insurance. Please take a minute to scan these articles below if you decide to travel WITHOUT travel insurance.
Bankruptcy court approves Windstar Cruises sale
U.S. Urges Avoiding Travel to Japan After 8.9-Magnitude Quake (Travel Pulse)
Hedging the Travel Bet: Disruptions Show Value of Travel Insurance (NY Times)
Midwest fliers latest to feel winter’s wrath (USA Today)
Holland America passenger dies in accident on ship-sold tour (USA Today)
Fog along Gulf Coast delays Carnival, Royal Caribbean ships (USA Today)
New Zealand Quake Strands Travelers (AOL Travel)
Reports of New Violence in Mazatlan Spur Cancellations of Cruise Port Calls (Cruise Critic)
At least get a quote for travel insurance from Travel Guard, a great company I have used many times.
Other well-respected providers are TravelSafe and Access America.
Also see: The Importance of Travel Insurance
Good article by Ed Perkins from Smarter Travel.
Regarding the discussion in this article of the recent unrest in Egypt…be advised that TravelSafe provides coverage for non-medical emergency evacuation.
Make Sure You Get the Right Travel Insurance
Update: Watched a TravelSafe insurance training webinar this week. Learned that TravelSafe offers hurricane warning coverage with their trip cancellation insurance. You are protected if, within 24 hours of your scheduled departure, the NOAA issues a hurricane warning for your destination and you decide to cancel your vacation.
Important point to note if you are visiting a Sandals Resort. They used to offer a “hurricane guarantee”, but no longer do.
TravelSafe’s plans are now “Primary Coverage” – No more waiting for homeowners or major medical company to pay first, $0 deductibles.
They also made some other enhancements: their BASIC PLAN will now include these additional benefits:
1. Cessation of Services of Common Carrier due to an unannounced strike, mechanical breakdown or bad weather (12 hours or more)
2. Home or destination uninhabitable from natural disaster
3. Permanent transfer of employment
4. Being hijacked, quarantined or called to jury duty
5. A Terrorist Incident
6. Concierge and Business Assistance Services
CLASSIC PLAN now allows for travelers 80+ to qualify for Pre-Existing Waiver when purchasing within 21 days of deposit. Benefits are limited to $10,000 trip cost and trip length of 30 days.
NEW – CLASSIC PLUS PLAN is the same as the Classic Plan except, the Cancel For Any Reason Benefit is included and reflected in the rates.
For more info on TravelSafe vacation protection plans, click here.