Best Travel Insurance for Antarctica Cruises
Written by Antonio Cala
Table of Contents
Embarking on an Antarctic cruise is a mesmerizing adventure, offering voyagers a chance to witness the planet’s southernmost landscapes and wildlife. However, this once-in-a-lifetime trip carries unique risks and challenges, from unpredictable weather patterns to remote locations far from conventional medical facilities.
This highlights the importance of selecting suitable travel insurance that caters specifically to the needs of Antarctic travelers.
When travelers consider insurance plans for an Antarctica cruise, they must look beyond standard travel insurance provisions. Proper coverage should include high limits for emergency medical expenses and evacuation, as the cost of airlifting from such remote regions can be astronomical.
In addition, considering policies that cover trip cancellations and interruptions can save travelers from significant financial loss due to the volatile conditions typical of Antarctic travel.
It’s essential to examine the finer details, such as coverage for adventure activities, which many travelers partake in during their cruise, like kayaking or polar diving.
For a comprehensive exploration of insurance options designed specifically for adventure travelers, be sure to explore our master guide The Ultimate Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance.
Quick Recommendations
If you want some quick recommendations, here is our infographic to help you choose the best insurance for your next adventure cruise to Antarctica.
Antarctica Cruise Insurance Overview
Understanding Travel Insurance for Antarctica
Although some Antarctica cruises offer medical & evacuation insurance with every booking, it’s highly recommended you purchase a separate travel insurance to protect yourself and your investment.
In the case of most of Polar cruises, what you really need is a policy with a high trip cancellation/interruption insurance since these trips normally have a high dollar amount.
If your cruise trip doesn’t include medical/evacuation coverage, you should definitely get a policy that offers that, since you will going as remote as it gets.
In the following section, we will get into the specifics of what a typical insurance policy for an Antarctica cruise covers and does not cover.
What Does It Cover?
An insurance for a cruise to Antarctica works like a traditional travel insurance policy, offering you protection for the following:
Medical Expenses
If you experience an injury or illness while exploring the icy wilderness on your Antarctic cruise, the importance of specialized insurance cannot be overstated. Tailored for the unique conditions of polar expeditions, this insurance ensures that you are covered for emergency medical expenses incurred in remote regions, including potential evacuation and treatment costs.
The coverage addresses a range of health concerns, from minor ailments to serious medical emergencies. Whether you require prompt medical attention or advanced care, a robust insurance policy provides the necessary financial backing to support you through the unforeseen medical challenges that can arise in the harsh and isolated environment of Antarctica during your voyage.
Baggage Coverage
Should your personal effects, such as your camera or other items, become damaged, stolen, or lost during your Antarctic expedition, securing appropriate insurance is essential. Insurance policies crafted for such circumstances typically offer personal luggage coverage.
The extent of coverage can vary significantly, with protection ranging from modest sums to substantial amounts. This enables you to file a claim to assist with the costs associated with repairing or replacing your vital gear crucial for your journey through the extreme conditions of the Antarctic.
Trip Cancellation or Interruption
Emergency Evacuation
Undoubtedly, the most critical form of protection for any polar journey, including an Antarctic cruise, is emergency medical evacuation coverage. This provision guarantees that you can be swiftly conveyed to the nearest appropriate medical center for care or potentially repatriated to your home country should the situation necessitate it.
What Doesn't Cover?
Every insurance provider sets their own parameters regarding the scope of their coverage and the exclusions that apply. The most common exceptions include:
Ignoring travel advisories: If you decide to embark on a journey despite warnings from authorities like the U.S. Department of State, your insurance policy may not offer protection. This is very unlikely to happen for Antarctica, but you never know.
High-risk pursuits: Some insurers may exclude coverage for specific high-risk activities that are offered on the most adventurous and specialized Antarctic cruises, such as ice diving or glacier mountaineering. It’s important to check whether the pursuits you intend to engage in during your cruise are covered or if you need to secure additional or specialized insurance.
Best Travel Insurance for Antarctica Cruises in 2024
Our Pick For
Americans who need high medical coverage
Nationalities: Only US citizens and residents are eligible.
Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions can be covered for Trip Cancellations and Interruptions, as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, and are medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.
Seniors Over 65: There is no maximum age limit.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 180 days.
Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.
Reasons To Buy
The prices are very competitive.
Plans are very customizable with plenty of extras available and the option of removing items you don’t need.
Pre-existing medical conditions accepted.
24/7 chat available with the Faye Mobile App
Reasons To Avoid
Only available to American residents.
Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $250,000. If you experience sudden illness or injury in-trip, including COVID-19. We can cover prescription drugs, hospitalization and physician costs.
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage of transportation in the case of illness or injury that is acute, severe or life threatening when adequate medical treatment is not available in the immediate area.
Trip Cancellation: Up to 100%. If you need to cancel your trip for covered reasons, including if you get sick, contract COVID-19, or a travel provider goes bankrupt. We can cover flights, hotel bookings, tickets & activities, and quarantine accommodation.
Trip Interruption: Up to 150%. When you must unexpectedly cut your trip short or extend it for covered reasons, including if you contract COVID-19.
Trip Delay: Up to $4,500. Up to $300/day, for delays of more than 6 hours. When you’re stranded in transit due to reasons outside of your control such as flight delay or theft of passport.
Lost or damaged Belongings: Up to $2,000. Reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, including clothing, personal items and professional equipment like a phone or laptop.
Cancel for Any Reason: Up to 75% of Trip Cost. The ability to nix your trip for reasons other than those covered in your plan’s trip cancellation coverage, including fear of contracting COVID-19, as long as you purchase this coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled departure date.
Pet Care: Up to $2,500 in veterinary expenses & $250 for kenneling. Coverage of veterinary expenses if you take your furry friend along (including pet sickness or injury), or kenneling costs if you arrive back home later than expected.
Adventure & Extreme Sports: Up to $250K (international trips) or $50K (domestic trips) for accidental & sickness expenses. Medical and transportation coverage if you become injured while participating in an adventure or extreme sport, like skydiving, bungee jumping, motocross or free diving.
Faye insurance provides American residents one of the biggest medical coverages on the market at a very competitive price.
If you live in the US and your Antarctica cruise doesn’t include medical/emergency insurance with your booking, then Faye is the best option for you. It provides the highest medical coverage available and 100% of your trip in case of cancellations.
We recommend Faye for Americans who want a complete travel protection for their cruise to Antarctica, including high medical coverage ($250k medical & $500k evacuation), trip protection cancellation & interruption, and baggage coverage.
Our Pick For
Americans who don't need high medical coverage
Nationalities: All nationalities are covered, as long as they are US residents.
Pre-existing conditions: Yes.
Seniors Over 65: Senior travel insurance package is offered to seniors over 65.
Trip Duration: Travel Select and Travel Basic plans cover trips up to 364 days. Travel America plan covers trips up to 14 days.
Groups: Individual and family plans available.
Destinations covered: Covers worldwide, except Ukraine, Syria, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Belarus, and Russian Federation.
Reasons To Buy
The price is competitive.
Pre–existing conditions accepted.
Covers worldwide, except Ukraine, Syria, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Belarus, and Russian Federation.
Reasons To Avoid
Only available to US residents.
They receive mixed reviews online.
Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: Up to $50,000. It comes with a dental coverage sublimit of $500
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. It comes with an escort coverage limit of $25,000.
Trip Cancellation: 100% of insured trip cost. It comes with a limit of $50,000.
Trip Interruption: 150% of insured trip cost. It comes with a limit of $75,000.
Trip Delay: Up to $2,000. The policy comes with a daily sublimit of $200 and a minimum delay of 5 hours
Baggage & Personal Effects: Up to $1,000. Items sublimits apply.
Additional Medical Coverage. Increase your medical expenses coverage by $50,000 and up your medical evacuation coverage by $500,000.
Adventure Sports. Get protection for participating in professional athletic events, ziplining, skydiving, mountain climbing, and traveling on any air-supported devices.
Cancel for Any Reason. Protect yourself against the unexpected – whatever it maybe – and cancel your trip for any reason up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure date.
The Travelex Select Plan is the best option for American residents going on Antarctica cruises that already provide medical/evacuation insurance included with the trip.
It covers 100% of your trip in case of cancellation (up to $50,000).
Travelex is particularly appealing for the more traditional Antarctica cruises, where medical coverage is often included, and the priority is safeguarding your trip investment against potential cancellations.
Our Pick For
Non Americans + Expensive cruises
Nationalities: Only residents of the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and UAE can purchase a Travel Guard insurance policy.
Pre-existing conditions: Yes.
Seniors Over 65: Travelers aged 65-75 are covered.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 364 days.
Groups: One children aged 17 and under is included with an adult policy at no extra cost.
Reasons To Buy
Highest medical expenses and trip cancellation/interruption coverage combined under the same policy.
Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver Available (must be purchased within 15 days of the Initial Trip Payment).
Reasons To Avoid
Not all nationalities are covered.
Must be less than 75 years old.
Travel Medical Expense/Dental Expense: Up to $100,000/$500. Travel Medical Expense pays for medical expenses incurred due to a Sickness or Injury that happens while on a Trip. A $500 sub-limit applies for dental expenses.
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains: Up to $1,000,000. Covers evacuation expenses as directed by a Physician to the nearest adequate medical facility or home in the event of death or if medically required.
Trip Cancellation: Up to 100% Insured Trip Cost. Reimburses nonrefundable, Unused payments or deposits if you must cancel your Trip due to an illness, Injury, or death of you, a Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner, or for other covered reasons. Maximum of $150,000.
Trip Interruption: Up to 150% Insured Trip Cost: Reimburses nonrefundable, Unused payments or deposits if you must interrupt your Trip due to an illness, Injury, or death of you, a Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner, or for other covered reasons. Maximum of $225,000
Trip Interruption – Return Transportation Only: Up to $1,000. Reimburses the additional Transportation expenses incurred by you to reach the Return Destination if your Trip is interrupted by one of the Unforeseen events shown in the Policy Trip Interruption section.
Trip Delay: Up to $1,000. Reimburses up to $200 per day for Reasonable Additional Expenses until travel becomes possible if your Trip is delayed for more than 5 hours due to covered reasons.
Baggage Coverage: Up to $2,500. Reimburses you if your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen while on your Trip. Coverage is primary.
Trip Saver: Up to $5,000. Reimburses up to $5,000 for meals, Hotels and additional Transportation if the Insured must begin their Trip sooner than the originally scheduled Departure Date due to Inclement Weather or Common Carrier changes.
Baggage Delay: Up to $500. Reimburses you for the purchase of necessary personal effects if your bags are delayed for more than 12 hours.
Missed Connection: Up to $1,000. Reimburses you if Inclement Weather or Common Carrier causes cancellation or a delay to your point of departure of regularly scheduled airline flights for three or more hours. Does not apply if you do not leave adequate time between connecting flights.
Security Evacuation: Up to $100,000. Coverage for security evacuation, Flight Guard® and Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption due to a riot or civil disorder.
Cancel for Any Reason Bundle. Reimburses up to the Maximum Limit shown on the Schedule of Benefits if you cancel your Trip for any reason, not otherwise covered under the Policy, up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.
Adventure Sports Bundle. Removes the exclusions for adventure and extreme activities from all benefits on the Policy.
Pet Bundle. Daily benefit for boarding, and a medical expense coverage for illness or Injury of dog or cat while traveling. Includes coverage for Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption if your Pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days prior to the Departure Date.
Wedding Bundle. Trip Cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Coverage does not apply if you are the bride or groom in the wedding.
The Travel Guard Deluxe plan is the best option if you don’t live in the USA and want a high trip cancellation coverage (up to $150,000), a medical coverage up to $100,000 and emergency evacuation up to $1,000,000.
Please note Travel Guard doesn’t receive the best reviews online.
Our Pick For
Non Americans + Budget + Not very expensive cruises
Nationalities: Most nationalities can purchase insurance from World Nomads, including residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, or New Zealand. However, as of the current writing, most European residents are unable to buy a World Nomads policy.
Pre-existing conditions: Not covered.
Seniors Over 65: Travelers aged 70 and over are not covered.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 365 days.
Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.
Reasons To Buy
The price is competitive.
Reasons To Avoid
Prices and coverage vary greatly by the country of residence.
Some European nationalities are not covered.
Pre-existing medical conditions not covered
Max age is 70 years old.
Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: Up to $100,000. Coverage is for medical expenses for emergency treatment of an accidental injury that occurs during the trip. Emergency treatment must be medically necessary and performed during the trip. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Emergency dental treatment: Up to $750. Coverage is for emergency dental treatment for accidental injury to sound, natural teeth. The injury and treatment must occur during the trip.
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage is for an accidental injury or sickness occurring during the trip that results in your necessary emergency evacuation. An emergency evacuation must be ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants your emergency evacuation. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable cancellation charges if you must cancel your trip (after the effective date) due to covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Interruption: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable, unused expenses if you must interrupt your trip (after departure) due to a covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike, or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Delay: Up to $3,000. Coverage is for unused portion of pre-paid accommodation or additional expenses, on a one-time basis, if you are delayed en route to or from the trip for 6 or more hours due to a defined hazard as explained in the certificate / policy.
Baggage & Personal Effects: Up to $3,000. Reimbursement is for loss, theft or damage during the trip to baggage and personal effects (including sporting equipment) owned by you, provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover the property. Per article limit of $500.
Activities covered based on 4 groups. You pay more for higher group. The Explorer plan includes more activities than the Standard Plan. Extreme activities not covered (cave diving, free soloing, etc)
The World Nomads Explorer Plan is a great option for non-Americans if your trip cost is under $10,000. It offers good medical coverage ($100k), emergency evacuation ($500k) and some equipment coverage (up to $3,000) under the same policy.
We recommend World Nomads if you’re looking for an affordable travel insurance for an Antarctica cruise that is less than $10,000.
Comparison Table
Company |
Plan |
Medical Expenses |
Emmergency Evacuation |
Trip Cancellation |
Trip Delays |
Equipment Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Adv Sports |
$250,000 |
$500,000 |
100% |
150% |
$2,000 |
|
|
Select |
$50,000 |
$500,000 |
$50,000 |
150% |
$1,000 |
|
|
Deluxe |
$100,000 |
$1,000,000 |
100% |
150% |
$2,500 |
|
|
Explorer |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
$10,000 |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
Conclusion
When selecting insurance for your Antarctic cruise, a key factor is determining whether your cruise operator provides complimentary medical and/or evacuation insurance as part of your package.
For American residents whose Antarctic cruise includes medical/evacuation coverage, an optimal choice is Travelex – Select. This plan offers comprehensive coverage, reimbursing 100% of your trip cost in the event of cancellation (up to $50,000).
If you are an American resident and your Antarctic cruise package lacks medical/evacuation insurance, Faye stands out as a superior selection. It offers extensive medical coverage, accommodates pre-existing conditions, has no age restrictions, and also covers 100% of your trip cost if you need to cancel.
Non-US residents embarking on a less costly Antarctic cruise (under $10,000) may find the Explorer Plan from World Nomads to be a fitting option. It provides significant medical coverage at an affordable rate.
Lastly, for non-US residents setting out on higher-priced Antarctic cruises (over $10,000), Travel Guard – Deluxe is a potential choice. This plan can cover up to $150,000 for trip cancellation or interruption. However, it’s important to note that this provider may not have the most favorable reviews online.
Other Adventure Cruise Destinations
If you would like to read more about insurance options for adventure cruises from around the world, you can check out the other articles we’ve written below:
Other Travel Insurance Reviews
If you would like to read more about insurance options for other type of adventure trips, you can check out our other reviews below:
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Hiking Trips
- Mountaineering & High Altitude Trekking
- Mountain Biking, Bike-touring & Bike-packing
- Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing & Bouldering
- Kayaking, White Water Rafting & Paddle Boarding
- Fishing & Spearfishing
- Diving Liveaboards & Freediving
- Sailing, Kite Surfing & Surfing
- Adventure Cruises
- Adventure Motorcycling
Antarctica Cruise Insurance Reviews Online
During your research, you might want to consider checking out articles from various publications that provide insights into the best insurance companies for Antarctica cruises.
Below are a few articles that caught my interest.
How To Find The Best Antarctica Travel Insurance For You – AntarcticaCruises.com
Antarctica Travel Insurance – LandedTravel.com
About the Author
Antonio was born and raised in Southern Spain, and quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight. Their passion for adventure took them to visit 150+ countries.
They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions. Today, they’re still traveling, currently around the USA with an RV.
Traveling to so many places, remote destinations and by different means taught them a lot about travel insurance, which policies to hold depending on the area and the type of adventure they were doing. Antonio now publishes regular content to help other travelers choose the best travel insurance for adventure trips.
Together, they also run the travel community Summit, the RV site Hitched Up, the boutique accommodation blog Unique Places and the popular newsletter Adventure Fix, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Antonio Cala
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix