WaveCare Cruise Insurance
WaveCare® from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is cruise insurance that addresses the unique coverage needs of people who love to cruise.
Above and beyond standard travel insurance coverage, WaveCare offers:
-
Higher medical evacuation limits, because medical evacuations from cruise ships are complex
-
Higher emergency medical expense limits, because shipboard medical facilities are expensive
-
Cruise disablement coverage, because sometimes cruise ships break down at sea
-
Cruise diversion coverage, because weather can force ships to change course
-
River cruise diversion coverage, because droughts and floods can affect itineraries
Get Your Free Cruise Travel Insurance Quote Now
All fields are required.
Reviews From Real Customers
“Nobody got hurt on the trip, but the cruise ship missed a scheduled port of call. While most people on the ship were bummed out, I turned to the WaveCare policy and they had a clause in there for a $500/person refund if the ship misses a port due to inclement weather... Filing the claim on line was simple and the payout was in my bank account within 10 business days. Super easy! Highly recommend.”
-James H.
"Thank goodness we took out travel insurance and doing so through [BHTP].
We had one huge nightmare of a trip that we have never experienced before in all of our travels. So, taking out the cruise insurance WaveCare by [BHTP] was well the cost we paid.
Take it from me, we would be in deep unexpected debt, if we had no protection this time."
-Deborah R.
What Is Cruise Insurance – And Why Do I Need It?
Why do you need special insurance for your cruise? Consider that:
-
Cruise medical emergencies are costly: Onboard treatment can exceed $1,500 a day, and your regular health insurance may cover little or none of it.
-
Emergency evacuation can break the bank: The cost to airlift someone off a cruise ship can reach six figures.
-
Missing your cruise is expensive: Cruise lines won't wait for a delayed flight. Missing your ship can mean thousands in lost prepaid costs.
-
Your cruise can be disrupted by events outside your control: Weather, mechanical failure, or geopolitical events can force itinerary changes, skipped ports or diversions.
What Does WaveCare Cover?
In addition to the must-haves you should demand from any travel insurance plan – coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, lost luggage, and medical emergencies – WaveCare also includes:
-
Higher medical emergency expense limits: Because shipboard care is expensive, WaveCare provides up to $75,000 in primary emergency medical coverage, meaning it pays first, before your regular health insurance does.
-
Higher emergency medical evacuation limits: Getting someone airlifted off a cruise ship can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. WaveCare's $750,000 in evacuation coverage handles even complex, remote evacuations.
-
Cruise disablement: When your ship breaks down at sea and can't complete its itinerary, WaveCare pays a $500 fixed benefit to cover you for missed cruise days and related expenses.
-
Cruise diversion: If severe weather or another covered event forces your ship to change course and skip a port, WaveCare pays a $500 fixed benefit.
-
River cruise diversion: River cruises face a different set of disruptions: low water levels, flooding, locks out of service. WaveCare covers river cruise diversions, too.
- Cruise line financial default: If your cruise line suddenly ceases operations and leaves you stranded, WaveCare can help cover expenses involved in getting you back home.
Here’s a full breakdown of WaveCare’s coverages:
Who Is WaveCare Best For?
Cruise insurance is the right choice for most cruise travelers, but it’s especially helpful for:
-
Seniors: WaveCare's emergency medical coverage and high evacuation limits provide extra protection for older travelers whose health insurance (including Medicare) doesn't extend abroad.
-
Families: Larger groups mean more prepaid expenses – and more memories at risk. WaveCare protects the full insured trip cost for everyone in your party listed on the policy if you have to cancel.
-
First-Time Cruisers: If you've never cruised before, WaveCare supplies the peace of mind and 24/7 support that helps first-timers cruise with confidence.
-
International Travelers: If you're sailing outside U.S. waters, your domestic health insurance may cover little or nothing. WaveCare fills that gap.
-
Luxury Cruisers: Higher-priced voyages with longer itineraries to more exotic locales mean more to lose. WaveCare can help protect that investment.
-
River Cruisers: River itineraries are more vulnerable to disruption from low water levels and bad weather. WaveCare's river cruise diversion provision considers that.
How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost?
Like other travel insurance, cruise insurance’s cost is based on several factors, including:
-
Total trip cost
-
Traveler age
-
Destination
-
Days to departure
-
Month of departure
-
Trip length
A good rule of thumb is that you should expect to pay about 5% to 10% of your total insured trip cost for travel insurance. For a cruise, that works out to:
However, remember that WaveCare includes several coverages specific to cruises. That additional coverage comes with only a small bump in the price of your policy, making cruise insurance an even more prudent purchase for your next cruise.
Why Buy Cruise Insurance From Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection?
WaveCare is cruise insurance built specifically for you, backed by the financial strength and claims-paying prowess of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance.
Easy Claims, Paid Fast
Most WaveCare claims can be filed in seconds with a photo from your phone. Filing a claim online shouldn't be the hard part; we've made it the easy part.
Pre-Existing Conditions Covered
Exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions are waived if you purchase your WaveCare plan within 15 days of your initial trip deposit.
24/7 Worldwide Travel Assistance
Live support around the clock, wherever you are – before, during, and after your cruise.
Answers to Common Cruise-Insurance Objections
"My credit card already covers me." Credit cards may offer some basic trip cancellation coverage but rarely include cruise-specific coverage, emergency medical coverage, or high-limit evacuation coverage.
"The cruise line offers insurance." Cruise line insurance may not be a full, comprehensive travel insurance plan with high medical and evacuation limits, fast claims processing or the backing of an A++-rated insurer.
"My health insurance will cover me." Most U.S. health insurance plans, including Medicare, provide little to no coverage outside the U.S. WaveCare's medical coverage steps in where your regular insurance stops.
"I never buy travel insurance." That works … until it doesn't. One shipboard medical emergency or missed embarkation can break the bank. WaveCare is the protection you hope you don't need.
How Does WaveCare Compare to Standard Travel Insurance?
Standard travel insurance wasn't created to address the risks that come with spending days on a ship far from shore.
Here's how cruise insurance compares to standard travel insurance:
How Does WaveCare Compare to Other BHTP Travel Insurance Plans?
Not only do you have coverage choices, but you can choose from among a variety of BHTP plans to cover your cruise. BHTP has an array of plans, so you can tailor your coverage to your travel needs. Choose your perfect plan from among these options:
Which BHTP Plan Is Right for You?
Choose WaveCare if: You're taking an ocean or river cruise, and you want cruise-specific protections like disablement, diversion, and high-limit evacuation.
Choose LuxuryCare if: You're taking a luxury cruise – longer, or to exotic destinations – with significant prepaid expenses.
Choose AdrenalineCare if: You're doing an eco-tour, a cruise that includes diving, or a cruise to a destination like Antarctica or the Galapagos.
Choose ExactCare if: You want comprehensive travel insurance with balanced protection and value, especially if your cruise also includes a land leg.
Frequently Asked Questions About WaveCare Cruise Insurance
Cruise insurance basics
What is WaveCare cruise insurance?
WaveCare is cruise-specific travel insurance from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection with additional or enhanced coverage for the risks cruise travelers face: medical emergencies at sea, evacuation off a ship, cruise diversions due to weather, and ship disablement.
What does WaveCare cover that standard travel insurance doesn't?
WaveCare covers cruise disablement, cruise diversion, river cruise diversion, and financial default of a cruise line. It has higher coverage limits for medical emergencies, medical evacuation and includes lost or delayed baggage coverage.
WaveCare covers cruise disablement, cruise diversion, river-cruise diversion, and financial default of a cruise line. It has higher coverage limits for medical emergencies, medical evacuation and includes lost or delayed baggage coverage.
How much does WaveCare cost?
Your premium is based on several factors specific to your cruise vacation. Travel insurance premiums are generally around 5% to 10% of total trip cost. Get a quote with your exact cost at bhtp.com.
Cruise insurance coverages
Does WaveCare cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes. Exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions are waived if you purchase WaveCare within 15 days of your initial trip deposit and you are medically able to travel at the time of your travel insurance purchase.
What are the differences between WaveCare and LuxuryCare?
WaveCare is designed for cruise travelers and includes cruise-specific protections. LuxuryCare is designed for high-dollar vacations and offers premium coverage levels for a broader range of trip types. You can buy LuxuryCare for a cruise vacation, however.
Does WaveCare cover river cruises?
Yes. WaveCare covers river cruises and includes river cruise diversion coverage for disruptions resulting from low water levels, flooding, and lock closures.
Does WaveCare have Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage?
No. CFAR is only available on BHTP’s LuxuryCare plan.
Cruise insurance claims
How do I file a WaveCare claim?
Most claims can be filed online in seconds with a photo from your phone.
Who underwrites WaveCare?
WaveCare is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), rated A++ (Superior) by AM Best — the highest financial strength rating AM Best awards. NAIC #22276.