Cruising covered when Cruise Trip Extra added at an additional cost to the base policy.
What better way to explore the most iconic port destinations of this Great Southern Land than on a cruise ship?
Just remember, if you’re going on a ocean or sea going cruise that is longer than two nights (multi-night) and enters international waters (such as Brisbane to Sydney or Sydney to Hobart), you need to purchase an overseas plan and must have our Cruise Trip Extra at an additional cost for all the days you’re onboard. We will automatically add this cover to your quote.
On the other hand, if you’re only cruising on a river within Australia, you do not need to add our Cruise Trip Extra.
Get a quote and buy a policy in minutes! If you’re going on a multi-night ocean or sea going domestic cruise, select your destination as ‘Domestic Cruise’ or ‘South West Pacific Cruise’.
When you select ‘Domestic Cruise’ or ‘South West Pacific Cruise’ as your destination, we’ll automatically add our Cruise Trip Extra to your plan and you’ll need to pay a premium for it (this cover variation is mandatory to be covered for cruising).
Once your Cruise Trip Extra has been added to your plan, checkout, pay and you’re ready to set off on your domestic cruise!
To get cover on your multi-night ocean or sea going cruise, it is mandatory to add our Cruise Trip Extra for all days you’re onboard, from the day you board to the day you disembark.
Our domestic plans include your choice for trip cancellation cover and varying luggage cover limits as standard.
~ Medical and dental cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness or injury.
#The level of cover applies per policy.
^Limits, sub‑limits, conditions and exclusions apply.
*Liability collectively for Sections 12. Accidental Death, and 13. Disability is $25,000 on the Explorer plan, and $30,000 on the Explorer Pro plan.
ΔItem limit applies for any one item, set, or pair of items including attached and unattached accessories.
Trip Extras let you build on your base policy, before you go or while you're away. Whether you want increased limits for your valuable items, extra cancellation cover, or pay-per-day cover for activities like skiing, motorcycle riding or cruising - just add what you need.
Although a cruise around Australia is relatively close to home, unexpected accidents can still happen and interrupt your cruise holiday.
Importantly, while things like falls and seasickness are common on cruises, there’s a misconception that Medicare will cover these incidents. Even on a cruise between Australian ports, Medicare won't reimburse you for onboard medical costs.
Plus, getting sick on a cruise often means having to miss pre-booked, prepaid onshore activities, or being advised by an onboard doctor to stay in your cabin for a period of time.
Additionally, your luggage might get lost or stolen from your cabin, or delayed before you board your cruise, leaving you stranded without essential personal items and forced to replace them last-minute.
Cruise travel insurance - such as what Freely’s Cruise Trip Extra offers - can provide cover for a range of possible mishaps while onboard.
For more detail, be sure to read the PDS.
Medicare and private health insurance providers won't cover medical expenses incurred onboard a cruise, even when a cruise is only travelling between Australian ports.
This means that once you leave port on a domestic cruise and you get sick or injured onboard, you may be dealt an expensive medical bill as a result of any treatment you have onboard.
In order to be covered for medical costs onboard a cruise, the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website recommends buying travel insurance for your cruise.
For multi-night domestic cruises that enter international waters (such as Brisbane to Sydney or Sydney to Hobart), you need to purchase an overseas plan and must have our Cruise Trip Extra at an additional cost for all the days you’re onboard.
On the other hand, if you’re only cruising on a river within Australia, you do not need to add our Cruise Trip Extra. This Trip Extra offers cover for onboard and ship-to-shore medical costs, as well as seasickness, emergency dental and cabin confinement.
Terms, conditions and limits apply. For more detail, please read the PDS.
Some olders travellers prefer to hop on a domestic cruise knowing that they’re covered for medical emergencies that might happen onboard – especially when Medicare typically won’t cover onboard medical costs.
Freely’s Cruise Trip Extra can offer senior travellers protection against medical costs that they might incur as a result of getting sick or injured onboard, including ship-to-shore medical (subject to criteria outlined in the PDS), COVID-19 (sub-limits and a special excess apply) and, if deemed necessary, evacuation to be returned to shore.
Importantly, travellers need to purchase an overseas plan and must have our Cruise Trip Extra at an additional cost for all the days you’re onboard, in order to be covered for cruises that enter international waters (such as Brisbane to Sydney or Sydney to Hobart).
For more detail, be sure to read the PDS.
Here are some helpful tips to consider ...
Seasickness is rarely a problem when you’re onboard a cruise ship due to their size and steadiness. However, if it’s something you’re prone to, ask if you can have a cabin on the lower level as close to the centre of the boat as possible. Refrain from having a heavy meal before you board the vessel for the first time, and avoid hitting the booze too hard. Your inner ear canal contains small crystals that are super sensitive to vibration and movement – and lying down to rest can help stabilise you if you feel dizzy or nauseous.
Respiratory illnesses (such as influenza and COVID-19) and gastrointestinal infections are the most commonly reported illnesses onboard cruise ships. Be sure to wash or sanitise your hands regularly, which we should all be good at by now! The buffet can be a bit of a breeding ground for bugs, too – as they thrive in foods kept at room temperature. Let the medical staff onboard know immediately if you start to feel unwell.
Even standing on the deck when it’s cloudy can expose you to high levels of radiation – let alone frolicking on exotic beaches or strolling through local towns licking an ice-cream cone. Cover up with long-sleeved clothing and top up your sunscreen every couple of hours. To avoid dehydration, drink lots of water!
Only pay for the extra cover you need on the days you actually need it.
Update your policy on your trip so you can embrace travel spontaneity.
Get 24/7 access to our medical and emergency specialists.
