The cancellation or interruption of the voyage (46.5%) and the need for medical assistance (24.8%) are the main cruise incidents affecting the ship passengers, ahead of problems with luggage – which is the cause of 18.4% of all setbacks, according to data provided by “InterMundial Seguros”.
Next in line after these cruise incidents are problems with the means of transportation (6.6%) or repatriation / sanitary transportation (2.6%), according to the same data provided by the broker specializing in travel insurance.
The most frequent health problems to occur during cruises are the exacerbation or worsening of preexisting diseases, intestinal or respiratory diseases, dizziness, and dental emergencies.
The fact that cruise travel requires reservations to be made well in advance explains why cancellation is the main cruise incident affecting travelers, who are faced with very high cancellation fees, the company pointed out.
Along the same lines, Carlos Uceda, Director of the company's Technical Area also explained that the purchase of medication and healthcare services on board can have a “fairly high” price, and can reach the price of one hundred euros for a consultation.
For this reason, more and more cruise ship passengers are purchasing specific travel insurance for this type of travel, which in the case of “InterMundial Seguros” covers the entire trip, both on board and ashore.
This insurance covers medical care 24 hours a day, cancellation fees, lost or stolen luggage, the delay in exiting the means of transportation, transportation of a relative if the traveler requires hospitalization abroad or the early return home of a passenger due to the hospitalization or death of a family member, among other eventualities.
The number or cruise ship passengers has increased by ten million in the last ten years and the prediction is that this number will reach 25.3 million around the world over the course of the year, according to data provided by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).