StuartIf you follow the blog, you’ll know that Chris and I recently embarked on a beautiful four-night sailing aboard Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride, culminating in a spectacular arrival right through Tower Bridge into London. It was supposed to be pure relaxation, but holiday reality caught up with us in a rather sharp way.
On the final day of the cruise, Chris experienced a sudden medical issue and had to visit the ship’s onboard medical centre. The care was excellent, but after a round of essential tests and treatment, we were handed a bill for over £1,000.
Thankfully, because we always practice what we preach, we had comprehensive travel insurance in place. Having that policy gave us total peace of mind, knowing our expenses would be covered and allowing us to focus entirely on Chris getting better.
We also got incredibly lucky with the timing. Because it was the last full day of our itinerary, we disembarked in London the very next morning and went straight to a local NHS hospital, which capped our private medical expenses right there.
But it was a massive eye-opener. What if this had happened on day one in the middle of the ocean? What if we were heading to the US or the Caribbean, where private healthcare costs are astronomical? A major illness or injury at sea requiring an emergency medical evacuation (repatriation) back to the UK can easily rack up a bill climbing into tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds. It could be a devastatingly hard lesson for anyone who chooses to travel without cover.
Here is my honest breakdown of the travel insurance reality.
The Good
- Ultimate Peace of Mind: Knowing you are covered means that if the unexpected happens, you aren’t panicking about how you’re going to pay a massive bill on your credit card.
- Immediate Protection: If you buy your policy the moment you book your holiday, you are instantly covered if you unexpectedly fall ill and can’t travel at all, protecting your hard-earned money.
- Bespoke Coverage: A good policy doesn’t just cover medical bills; it protects your entire investment, from lost luggage to cancellation of expensive, tailored itineraries.
The Bad
- The Upfront Cost: Yes, it’s an extra expense on top of an already pricey holiday, and premium cruise-specific policies or annual multi-trip cover can feel like a grudge purchase.
- The Fine Print: Insurance companies love jargon. You have to be meticulous about declaring pre-existing medical conditions, or they will flat-out refuse to pay. Standard policies often don’t include cruise cover by default either—you usually have to pay for a specific “cruise add-on” to cover cabin confinement or missed ports.
My verdict on travel insurance
Don’t risk it. Full stop.
Skipping travel insurance is the biggest gamble you can make. Our £1,000 bill on Star Pride was managed smoothly because we had insurance, but it served as a stark reminder of how quickly costs escalate. For UK travellers, ensure your policy is robust, always declare your medical history honestly, and make sure your policy includes high limits for medical expenses and repatriation. Buy it the day you place your deposit—not the week you fly.
Important Information: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. I do not recommend specific insurance products or providers. Travel insurance policies vary, especially regarding cruise cover and medical history; please ensure you review policy terms thoroughly or consult an FCA-regulated advisor to find the right cover for your circumstances.