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Cme cruises: combining education and adventure at sea.

CME (Continuing Medical Education) Cruises have gained popularity in recent years as a unique and innovative way for healthcare professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills while enjoying a relaxing and adventurous vacation at sea. These cruises offer a perfect blend of education, networking, and leisure activities, making them an attractive option for busy professionals looking to fulfill their educational requirements in a refreshing setting. Let's delve into what CME cruises are all about and why they are becoming a preferred choice for many in the medical field.

What are CME Cruises?

CME cruises are specialized conferences held aboard cruise ships that offer accredited educational sessions for healthcare professionals. These cruises are designed to provide physicians, nurses, and other medical practitioners with opportunities to earn CME credits while enjoying a cruise vacation. The educational sessions cover a wide range of medical topics, from the latest advancements in treatments and technologies to updates on guidelines and best practices in various medical specialties.

Benefits of CME Cruises

• Education in a Relaxing Environment: One of the primary advantages of CME cruises is the unique learning environment they provide. Instead of traditional conference rooms, attendees get to participate in sessions in comfortable and scenic settings, such as onboard theaters or conference facilities with ocean views. This relaxed atmosphere can enhance learning and retention compared to standard classroom settings.
• Networking Opportunities: CME cruises bring together healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. This creates excellent networking opportunities where attendees can interact with peers, exchange ideas, and build professional connections in a relaxed and informal setting. Networking events, social gatherings, and group activities during the cruise further facilitate collaboration and relationship building.
• Travel and Leisure: Beyond the educational aspect, CME cruises offer a complete vacation experience. Attendees can explore multiple destinations during the cruise itinerary, enjoying shore excursions, cultural experiences, and recreational activities at various ports of call. This combination of learning and leisure makes CME cruises appealing to those seeking both professional development and relaxation.
• Family-Friendly Options: Many CME cruise programs offer family-friendly amenities and activities, making them suitable for healthcare professionals who want to combine their educational pursuits with family vacations. Onboard facilities such as kids' clubs, entertainment options, and family-friendly excursions cater to attendees traveling with their loved ones.

Choosing the Right CME Cruise

When considering a CME cruise, it's essential to research and choose a program that aligns with your professional interests, educational needs, and travel preferences. Factors to consider include:

• Accreditation: Ensure that the CME cruise is accredited by recognized medical education bodies to earn valid CME credits.
• Educational Content: Look for a program that offers relevant and engaging educational sessions delivered by expert faculty members.
• Cruise Itinerary: Consider the destinations, duration, and onboard facilities to match your travel preferences and availability.
• Networking Opportunities: Check for networking events, social activities, and opportunities to interact with peers and speakers.
• Family-Friendly Options: If traveling with family, explore options for family-friendly accommodations and activities onboard.

CME cruises offer a unique blend of education, adventure, and relaxation, making them an attractive choice for healthcare professionals seeking professional development opportunities in a distinctive setting. By combining accredited educational sessions with a cruise vacation experience, these programs provide a valuable platform for learning, networking, and rejuvenation. Whether you're a physician looking to stay updated with medical advancements or a nurse seeking networking opportunities, a CME cruise can offer a fulfilling and enriching experience both professionally and personally.

Let customers speak for us

Excellent course. Covers a lot of useful material. Provides good evidence for recommendations/ treatments. Take home points provided a summary of applicable information. I would take again I the future.

Though this topic is not very applicable to my practice of medicine. ,It was required to renew my DEA license. it was a wonderful review and update on a difficult topic in the medical world. Excellent lectures . I was not excited about the 8 hr requirements,but I I really enjoyed it.

Great mix of updated material and fun! The lectures covered a lot of topics with great information.

Great CME relevant to my practice. Dr. Burgess does a great job researching and presenting the most up to date information. Classes covered a ton of info efficiently and succinctly and did not overlap any on shore activities. This was my first cruise and the whole experience was spectacular! Highly recommend!!

This was my first cruise CME Outpatient 2024 and I can say I loved it. The information is very up to date and useful in my practice. The speaker was very knowledgeable and Oslum was very accommodating to our needs. I highly recommend this CME. I will definitely go on another CME vacation cruise!!

Thorough and informative review of many topics within family medicine. Lots of updates and new studies and data reviewed, very applicable! Would definitely recommend.

I attended the CME Vacations Outpatient Medicine Update in 2024. This was a very valuable conference for my practice. Lectures include a summary of a significant amount of up-to-date literature which will affect the way I practice medicine. Lectures were fast-paced and enjoyable. Summary and take-home points were well-written and I will certainly keep the slide deck from this conference on my desktop to use as a reference while seeing patients. I highly recommend this conference to others who practice outpatient clinical medicine.

Great speaker. Great Location. Relevant outpatient evidenced based pearls to take with you for your practice and colleagues. Most recent up to date sources. Will definitely be back for more. Excellent.

This conference was fantastic. The content was concise, relevant and evidence based. I am leaving with several practice changing pearls which I will share with my colleagues. The 4 hour sessions are well timed occurring only while at sea, leaving all time in ports for personal time. Highly recommend!

Relevant update for outpatient family medicine, efficiently presented. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed the flexibility and information that this CME provided. I was able to attend the session in person and listen online to get the most of the conferences.

Great up to date information! The presenters spend a ton of time on preparation, really appreciate the most up to date information. The cruise destination is also beautiful up in Alaska!

Venue is amazing !! Only have 3 days left !! Conference is so informative and up to date. Thankyou so very much for elevating my level of care !! Cant wait for next year cmevacation !!

Content and presentation were excellent. He was informative and interesting. Will recommend to others at work. Only complaint is no desks in the room. Would it be possible to send the presentation in an outline form rather than slides.

Very good presentations on GI and cardiology topics that matter to my practice. Very timely info, easy to understand.

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Get to Know PES!

Since 1980, The Professional Education Society (PES) has provided accredited CME/CE Cruise and Travel Seminars for Medical, Dental, Nursing, and Allied Healthcare Professionals, welcoming friends and family as traveling companions. Our exclusive, customized cruises and worldwide destinations provide unique insight into healthcare innovations, challenges, and cross-cultural perspectives.

Prescribed Credit or Continuing Education Recognized Provider by: AAFP –American Academy of Family Physicians ADA –American Dental Association BRN –California Board of Registered Nursing

How it Works

Pick a Program

See all of our upcoming CME/CE Cruise & Travel Seminars listed below. Click on any trip for more information including the itinerary, seminar information, and pricing.

Register with PES

Fill out our online registration form or contact PES by phone or email. Our PES Travel Advisors will guide you through the booking process.

Get Ready to Travel!

Earn CME/CE credits while you travel the world with PES! We will handle all of the important details and keep you informed every step of the way.

Volunteer to be a Speaker!

Our panel of PES Distinguished Speakers are selected from our registered PES seminar participants as a complement to our in- country professional program speakers. Want to volunteer? Call or email PES!

Refer-a-Friend Discount!

Upcoming programs.

The Professional Education Society invites you to join our upcoming seminars !

Secrets of Egypt & the Nile on AmaWaterways

Joint Medical/Dental Symposium Confronting Healthcare Needs October 11 – 22, 2024

Italy & Dalmatian Coast Cruise on Windstar

Exploring Medicine, Dentistry & the Mediterranean Healthcare Model May 5 – 13, 2025

PES Future Travel Survey

Let us know where you want to go on a future CME/CE Cruise & Travel Seminar!

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Cutting Edge Science

Distinguished faculty, exclusive venues.

CALL US AT +1 206-512-8951

CME River Conferences & WIMS Present  2025 Woman in Medicine European Retreat

FEATURED CRUISE:

SOUTHERN FRANCE & PROVENCE RIVER CONFERENCE

​ March 29 to April 5, 2025

THE ONLY ALL MEDICAL CME

Dedicated river conference.

Our Mission: Bringing together the top academic physicians and thought leaders in the world with practicing community clinicians to create an environment for high-level interaction in order to obtain up-to-date medical knowledge to benefit patients. Learning is patient-centered and case-based to maximize the translation of medical knowledge to clinical practice.

Because this is a dedicated medical education conference, course participants will have unprecedented access to faculty to interact with them both during and after the daily programs. 

Your all-inclusive CME-Riverboat Conference will include our education program followed by a day tour program at our ports of call

 So join us for an all-inclusive river conference full of exploration & education

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Half-Day CME Courses in Family-Friendly Destinations

Every MCE program is designed to give you a combination of excellent Continuing Medical Education and an opportunity to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Whether it is a beach destination, the excitement of the city, enjoying nature or hitting the theme parks – our half-day format gives you the freedom to unwind and appreciate the destination.

See Our Amazing Destinations

Always 100% Free of Commercial Support

All MCE Conferences are presented completely free of commercial influence. You will never have to navigate through a maze of vendors or sit through a pharmaceutical presentation at any of our conferences. Just sit back and enjoy our nationally recognized faculty.

View Our Upcoming Conferences

CME Designed by Primary Care for Primary Care

Our CME conferences are tailored for a primary care setting. Each program is developed and reviewed by practicing primary care physicians to ensure that it will be useful to you and your practice. Our accredited CME is designed to meet the continuing education requirements for all members of the primary care team.

See Our Upcoming Topics

Save up to $200 on Each Program

Returning MCE Conferences attendees receive $50 off all subsequent programs for three full years. Plus, anyone attending a conference with another healthcare professional will receive a $50 discount. When combined with our $100 Early Registration discounts, you can save up to $200 on tuition for each MCE Conferences program.

Conferences

Save up to $100 on your conference tuition.

All past MCE Conferences attendees (within the past three years) automatically qualify for a $50 tuition discount, and if you are attending with another healthcare professional you can take another $50 discount. Combine the discounts to SAVE $100.

Destinations

Find your perfect cme destination.

With over 50 live CME programs offered each year in locations ranging from world-class cities to National Parks and from beach resorts to everyone’s favorite theme parks, there is certain to be a destination that is just right for you…

About MCE Conferences

Cme 100% free of commercial support.

All MCE programs are structured in a Half-Day format, providing an opportunity to enjoy some quality time in our family-friendly CME destinations.

The MCE Difference

MCE Conferences is dedicated to combining outstanding Continuing Medical Education with travel to amazing family-friendly destinations. We offer a wide range of CME travel destinations from beaches to the big city, from the tropics to the ski slopes and from national parks to theme parks. Our concierge-level customer service is dedicated to making sure your experience with us is unforgettable.

Our live and interactive CME Conferences are led by national speakers dedicated to providing Primary Care clinicians with new, evidence-based, and always 100% commercial-free CME programs. And our Half-Day format educational sessions are structured around the idea of spending quality time with family in some of the most exciting, and family-friendly travel destinations.

Come see why so many of our attendees rate us as “the best CME program we have ever been to.”

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A Suspected Blood Clot Landed Me in a Cruise Ship Medical Center

Advanced equipment and medication make it easy to care for passengers and crew.

Jill Schildhouse,

As I limped on board a cruise ship after a flight from Phoenix to Barcelona, Spain, my heart began to race: This was exactly how my left calf felt when I’d had a blood clot . Sure, that was nine years ago, but it’s not a sensation I’d ever forget.

I was dumbfounded, as I’d taken all the proper precautions my hematologist and vascular surgeon insisted on before each of my frequent long-haul flights: I took my blood thinner, wore medical-grade compression socks , drank plenty of water and got up to walk and do calf raises every hour or two in flight. How could this be happening again? And right before two back-to-back cruises around Spain, Italy, France and Malta that my dad and I had been looking forward to for months.

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Yet there I was on embarkation day, terrified I could die of deep vein thrombosis in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea because I wouldn’t be able to receive proper medical attention. As soon as we put our belongings in our cabin, I looked at my dad and said, “I have to go find the ship doctor and see what they say — before the ship leaves port in a few hours. I may have to disembark and go to a hospital.”

Visiting a megaship’s medical center

Off we went, down to a lower deck to the medical facility. I walked in and explained to the person at the desk that I suspected I had a DVT and asked what diagnostic capabilities they had on board. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, a nurse did a thorough intake, took my blood and performed an ultrasound.

Soon, I saw a doctor who was able to definitively rule out a blood clot. The diagnosis? A pulled muscle from running through the Philadelphia airport to catch a tight connection — she said that the symptoms between that and a DVT are so similar (pain and tenderness in the leg, leg swelling, muscle spasms) that it’s a good thing I double-checked given my history. An onboard massage worked out my calf muscle and two days later I was able to join my preplanned excursions (the ones I missed were refunded by the cruise line since the medical team knew I couldn’t participate in them).

I was surprised and impressed by the advanced equipment they had on board, and asked if that was common on cruise ships. The doctor explained that it was on many cruise lines, since they not only have to treat passengers, but the crew as well. In fact, 50 percent of passengers are older than 50, according to the “Cruise Lines International Association 2023 Global Passenger Report.” And, according to National Council on Aging research, nearly 95 percent of adults 60 and older have at least one chronic condition, while nearly 80 percent have two or more. It stands to reason that the medical capabilities would be robust.

But the MSC World Europa is a megaship that can carry up to 6,762 passengers on board — would travelers on smaller ships have the same luck if they needed medical care?

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Small- and midsize ships are also fully equipped

“Our ships are equipped with the most modern medical equipment available in the medical market,” says emergency physician Ibrain Soto, M.D., the doctor on board Crystal Serenity , a ship that holds just 740 passengers. The ship follows the recommendations of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) regarding the minimum amount of medical equipment to carry on board cruise ships. This includes an onboard laboratory, X-ray machine, cardiac monitor and defibrillator, an EKG, ventilator/respirator, infusion pumps and an onboard pharmacy.

Soto says the ship’s medical team includes one doctor and two nurses, who are required to have intensive care and emergency medicine training, plus more than five years of experience in the field. “We are able to diagnose and treat all medical and trauma emergencies and provide initial stabilization on board,” he says. “Our medical team is also trained to manage chronic medical conditions for our crew and passengers of any age group. Ninety percent of our guests are over 50, so we are very familiar with the management of medical conditions of patients in advanced age groups.”

Holland America Line

Up to $200 onboard credit on select cruises

Ships even smaller than Serenity — like Scenic, a cruise line with a fleet of ships that carry fewer than 230 passengers — also have robust capabilities. In fact, according to Liz Baugh, Scenic’s lead medical consultant, who served as a medic in the Royal Navy, this line has an X-ray machine, blood analyzers, ECG and a range of diagnostic tests, alongside a fully equipped emergency cart with a manual defibrillator and a military-grade portable ventilator. And the cruise line has even gone so far as to scrutinize data from the last four years to build a robust pharmaceutical list to remain as self-reliant as possible.

“We risk-assess everything based on the worst-case scenario and work our way back from there to make sure that we have covered the risks within our control and have a plan for things that may come up unexpectedly,” says Baugh. This quest for self-reliance is especially crucial given Scenic’s prevalence in some of the most challenging maritime environments: ships that sail in polar regions, where there is a lack of resources.

What can’t cruise ships handle?

While cruise ship capabilities are seemingly endless, there are some medical conditions beyond their purview. This includes more serious dental issues, though doctors can do some basic (temporary) dental repairs. “Other areas that are beyond the ship’s capabilities would be complex cardiac or abdominal issues requiring specialist investigations,” Baugh says.

She explains that Scenic also has 24/7 access to a clinical second opinion service. Depending on the outcome of that discussion, Baugh says the doctor will then assess the urgency of the condition and make a plan. Based on the degree of the emergency, Soto’s team would consult with a shoreside medical consultant. The passenger could be sent ashore in the next port of call for further examination or medically evacuated directly from the ship, either by ground or air ambulance. A heart attack or stroke would need “urgent medical evacuation,” Soto says.

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How much does onboard medical care cost?

I had to do a double-take when I received my own bill — it was 166.15 euros (about $180) for my visit, both tests and the pain relievers they prescribed. If this had gone through my insurance in the United States, it would have cost quite a bit more.

The medical facilities don’t use insurance. However, detailed paperwork will be provided should you want to initiate a claim with your insurance company. The cost of medical care is added to the overall cruise bill and paid at the end of the cruise.

Both Baugh and Soto explained that the costs are kept as low as possible to avoid deterring people from seeking medical care when it’s needed. Also, the medical department isn’t used as a revenue driver, Soto says. And if the bill grows because of longer or more advanced care, “we will always provide our guests with a proper internationally coded medical bill and a letter for them to be able to [file a] claim from their insurance once they return home,” Soto says.

Tips for avoiding an onboard medical visit

Hoping to avoid the medical center altogether? Baugh advises knowing your limitations and remembering that you are on a moving platform, which can affect balance. “On holiday, normal routines can be somewhat changed, so think carefully about your medical needs and make a plan for factoring in the effect that a change in routine may have on any medication that they normally take,” she says.

And always bring extra prescription medication, since, as Soto says, guests often forget to bring their medicine or run out during the cruise. In these cases, he says the medical team will provide the medication through its onboard pharmacy for the duration of the cruise. And if the medication isn’t available on board, the doctor will write a prescription and the cruise line’s port agent will purchase it locally.

Jill Schildhouse is a Phoenix-based freelance writer whose work has been published in AAA , U.S. News & World Report , USA Today , Outside , Travel + Leisure , Southern Living and other publications. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and has visited 38 countries. ​​

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Topics in Internal Medicine, Primary Care, and Hospital Medicine

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• Course Description
• Faculty & Accreditation
• Itinerary & Ports of Call
• Pre & Post Hotels & Tours
• Cruise Pricing
• Travel Protection
• Shore Excursions

COURSE CREDITS & HOURS

Course fees, target audience, program purpose.

This educational activity will present attendees with key updates in clinical topics fundamental to the care of the adult inpatient, including major advances from the medical literature. Additionally, this we will review fundamental skills basic to the practice of hospital medicine, such as diagnostic test interpretation and medical decision making. The content will allow for attendees to practice evidence-based medicine grounded in current evidence and literature applicable to internal medicine and associated specialties.

• Describe key updates & current literature related to the modern practice of hospital medicine
• Describe key updates & current literature related to the modern practice of hospital medicine.
• Recognize key clinical features of tick borne diseases.
• Interpret medical test results in a scientific manner using Bayes' Theorem based strategies or a Fagan Nomogram.
• Discuss the mechanisms of acute pancreatitis
• Describe the current standard of care for prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis in a hospitalized patient.
• Describe key treatment considerations for geriatric inpatients.
• Describe the current state of sepsis recognition and treatment, in accordance with widely accepted published guidelines.
• Peri-operative management
• Manage perioperative patients using validated tools and strategies to optimize outcomes
• Assess the patien's current state of physical, psychological, and spiritual health
• Analyze the patient's current dietary and exercise practices
• Discuss an individualized health-promotion strategy for the patient.
• Explain the classification of headaches
• Discuss the appropriate use of brain imaging in evaluating patients with headache
• Describe the appropriate use of abortive and preventive medications in the treatment of migraine.
• Describe the appropriate measurement and classification of hypertension
• Discuss the laboratory testing and imaging needed to diagnose common causes of secondary hypertension
• Describe the major classes of anti-hypertensive treatment and discuss the type of patient most likely to benefit from each class.
• Apply appropriate lifestyle modification and stress management skills, including muscle relaxation, breathing control, thought-stopping, and cognitive restructuring
• Recognize and manage side effects of anxiolytics.
• Elicit a thorough, non-judgmental sexual history
• Describe appropriate laboratory and radiologic testing in the evaluation of male sexual problems
• Discuss the effects, risks, and benefits of testosterone replacement and medications to improve the patient's erectile and ejaculatory function
• Apply techniques for establishing and maintaining rapport with patients
• Describe the spectrum of possible interventions available for addressing patients spiritual needs.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Dale a. matthews, md, facp.

Dale A. Matthews, MD, FACP Associate Professor of Medicine (retired) Georgetown University School of Medicine Executive Healthcare Services (retired)

Dale A. Matthews, MD, FACP has served on the faculties of Yale University, the University of Connecticut, and Georgetown University and has lectured at over 30 medical schools. He gives lectures on primary care general internal medicine, the doctor-patient relationship, and the psychological and spiritual dimensions of medicine, including the role of religion, faith, and prayer in clinical care. He is the author of The Faith Factor: Proof of the Healing Power of Prayer (Viking, 1998), a four-volume research work (The Faith Factor: An Annotated Bibliography of Clinical Research on Spiritual Subjects), three documentaries, and over 65 peer-reviewed scientific articles, book chapters, and other publications. Dr. Matthews is a graduate of Princeton (AB, cum laude, Romance Languages, 1976) and Duke University School of Medicine (1980). His internship and residency in internal medicine took place at the University of Connecticut (1980-3) and he completed the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Program and Fellowship in Clinical Epidemiology at Yale (1983-5). In 1989, he was named the George Morris Piersol Teaching and Research Scholar of the American College of Physicians. He has received many awards for his compassionate patient care, including Washingtonian Magazine Top Doctor recognition. He has appeared on numerous television shows, including the Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America. He lives in McLean, Virginia with his wife, Demetra, a certified public accountant. He has two adult children and three grandchildren. He enjoys family and church activities, Bible study and teaching, golf, baseball, piano, singing, songwriting, ballroom dancing, travel, and photography.

Robert Fogerty, MD

Medical Director, Senior Medical Director, Clinical Leadership & Associate Clinical Professor Yale New Haven New Haven, CT   

After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Boston College, Robert L. Fogerty received his MD and MPH degrees from Northwestern University and completed training in Internal Medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital. In 2011, he joined the Yale faculty as a founding member of the Academic Hospitalist Program. His academic interests include safety and quality of care in the inpatient setting and cost-effective care. Publications include the Journal of Hospital Medicine, JAMA Internal Medicine, and The New England Journal of Medicine. He is also the co-founder & Past-President of the Society of Hospital Medicine Connecticut Chapter, faculty in the High Value Practice Academic Alliance (HVPAA) training programs, and a founding member of the Hospital Capacity Management Consortium. In his current role as Senior Medical Director, Clinical Leadership, Dr. Fogerty reports to the Chief Medical Officer and works with medical directors from multiple clinical disciplines in clinical operations, professional development, corporate compliance, and other areas.

Accreditation

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 16 (part II) MOC points in medical knowledge in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

PORTS OF CALL

Port Canaveral, Florida - As the home of Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral is the launching point for all-out adventure in Central Florida. Its beaches offer a mix of family-friendly shores and secluded swaths of sand. And with Orlando’s theme park sprawl only an hour away, you can easily mingle with your favorite characters. Beyond the parks lie equally amusing gems packed with Old Florida character. Kayak past manatees in the Banana River Lagoon and zip line above alligators at Brevard Zoo. Discover notable art museums and Park Avenue’s ritzy charm. Orlando cruises give you access to trace the region’s roots at the Orange County Regional History Museum.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Labadee, Haiti - Beachside meets mountainside on the shores of Labadee — a Royal Caribbean private destination on Haiti’s northern coast. Here you’ll find pristine sands, coral reefs and jungle-covered hilltops nestling lagoon-like bays. There’s no shortage of places to relax and recharge across five stretches of beach. Or dial up the thrills on an active adventure like a half-mile-long zip line ride over the ocean. And fascinating culture, history and the natural beauty of Haiti’s spectacular coasts wait to be discovered around every corner. Escape to the Western Caribbean for a wilder way to experience paradise.

San Juan, Puerto Rico - The vibrant capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan offers something for every traveler — world-famous beaches with crystal clear waters, incredible cuisine, rugged natural beauty and a rich history that goes back 500 years. With its ancient fortresses and colorful colonial-era buildings, San Juan makes it easy to feel as though you’ve slipped into the past. Life moves at a slower pace along the sunny cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, and salsa beats seem to waft perpetually from open windows. If you’re craving a hike, head to El Yunque National Forest. And if you’re more in the mood to unwind, set your sights on the beautiful shores of Isla Verde or El Condado. Mealtime is also an adventure, with so many delicious options to try — from mofongo and pastelon to chillo frito and alcapurrias. Pair every bite with a piña colada — Puerto Rico’s national drink.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. - Named after a Danish Queen, Charlotte Amalie has one of the most breathtaking deepwater harbors in the world. The key sights of Charlotte Amalie are located within the town centre, making it easy to combine sightseeing with St. Thomas’ fantastic shopping opportunities. Eighteenth century architecture provides the perfect backdrop for walking tours and shopping here in the "Duty Free Capital of the World." For a dose of history, visit Emancipation Park, the American-Caribbean History Museum, or Bluebeard the pirate's castle at Magen’s Bay. If tropical bliss is what you're after, head to any of Charlotte Amalie’s pristine beaches, where the warm water, white sands and palm trees will lull you into deep relaxation!

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Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas

Prices below are for the full cruise including meals and evening entertainment

Because this program is sailing soon, full payment of the fare is due at time of booking.

3rd/4th in Stateroom - Please call to secure the best possible pricing

Cruise pricing is presented per person , based double occupancy of the stateroom, following industry practice. Pricing presented above is listed accordingly to allow easy comparison for the stateroom categories displayed. Our agents always provide 'total cost' pricing disclosing all particulars before you make any commitment.

Chubb Travel Protection Overview

Please note, this insurance protection is available to the residents of the United States only, that coverage limits are per person and that limits can vary by State.

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• Travel Insurance

Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Best cruise insurance plans of august 2024.

Updated: Aug 1, 2024, 4:43am

Our analysis finds that WorldTrips, Nationwide and PrimeCover are the best cruise insurance companies.

If you need cruise insurance, you’ll want policies that provide generous coverage for medical expenses, trip interruption and trip cancellation at a good price. We evaluated 40 travel insurance plans based on these criteria to help you find the best coverage for cruises.

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Summary: Best Cruise Insurance Ratings

What is cruise insurance and how does it work, what does cruise insurance cover, how much does cruise insurance cost, where and when to buy cruise insurance, what are the travel insurance requirements of different cruise lines, is cruise insurance worth it, case study: cruise insurance saves the day, again, methodology, best cruise insurance frequently asked questions (faqs), how we chose the best cruise insurance.

We evaluated policies on cost and coverage for missed connections, trip interruption, trip cancellation, medical expenses and evacuation, and more. Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below.

• 40 travel insurance plans evaluated
• 1,560 coverage details analyzed
• 280 rates scored
• 102 years insurance experience on the editorial team

GREAT FOR ADD-ON COVERAGE

Top-scoring plan

Atlas Journey Elevate

Average cost

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$250,000/$1 million

The Atlas Journey Elevate policy stands out for its excellent medical evacuation benefits. We also like its wide range of add-on benefits. These include “cancel for any reason,” “interruption for any reason” and extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, medical expenses and more.

More:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

• One of the lowest average costs among top-rated policies evaluated.
• Very good travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after only 5 hours.
• Very good missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person after 3 hours.
• Medical coverage level is low compared to some competitors evaluated.
• Baggage delay benefits have a 12-hour waiting period.

Here’s a look at top coverage types that are included in the WorldTrips Atlas Elevate policy.

Also included:

• Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 for specified problems. These include if your arrival home is delayed due to a transportation delay and you can’t work for at least two days, your flight lands at a different airport than scheduled, your passport is stolen and can’t be reissued, and more.

Optional add-ons offered:

• Adventure sports add-on to extend coverage to safaris, bungee jumping and more.
• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” coverage.
• Rental car theft and damage coverage of $50,000.
• School activities coverage if trip has to be canceled due a test, sporting event, etc.

BEST FOR POLICY PERKS

Cruise Luxury

$150,000/$1 million

We recommend Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan because it provides an array of extensive benefits such as “interruption for any reason” and “cancel for work reasons.” Some competitors don’t offer any of those perks. We also like that it includes benefits for delays in your ship’s arrival to the next port of call, superior missed connection coverage and evacuation benefits—all at a decent price.

More:   Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

• Includes $25,000 in non-medical evacuation benefits.
• Pretty good baggage delay benefits of $1,000 per person.
• Good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person covered after only a 6-hour delay.
• Medical coverage is lower than some other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
• 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to some competitor policies with only a 6- or 12-hour delay requirement.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury policy.

• Coverage if the CDC issues a health warning at your destination.
• Coverage for extension of the school year, terrorism in an itinerary city, work-related emergency issues.
• “Interruption for any reason” up to $1,000.
• Inconvenience benefit of $250 per person if your cruise ship’s arrival at the next port of call is delayed for two or more hours due to mechanical breakdown or fire.

Optional add-on offered:

• If you cancel two or more days prior to your departure for a reason not listed in the base policy, CFAR provides 75% compensation of your insured trip cost.

Best for Evacuation

The Luxe policy stood out in our analysis because it has superior benefit limits across the board. We also liked its generous evacuation coverage, short waiting periods for delays and wide range of optional benefits.

• You can buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, compared to 15 days for many other top-rated companies.
• Non-medical evacuation benefits of $100,000.
• Provides “hospital of choice” in its medical evacuation coverage, meaning you choose the medical facility rather than being transported to the nearest adequate treatment center.
• Top-notch trip interruption reimbursement of 200%, which is twice as much as many competitors.

More:   PrimeCover Travel Insurance Review

• Medical expense limits of $250,000 per person is great but some competitors provide twice as much travel medical insurance.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the PrimeCover Luxe policy.

• Benefits of $300 for changing original travel arrangements, such as transferring airlines.
• Benefits of $500 for itinerary change.
• Benefits of $500 for lost golf fees and $150 lost ski/snowboard.
• Benefits of $1,500 for rental property damage liability.
• Benefits of $5,000 for search and rescue.
• Coverage of $1,000 for sports equipment rental.
• Travel inconvenience coverage of $100 each for closed attractions and flight diversions.

Optional add-on coverage includes:

• Choices of $100,000, $250,000 and $500,000 for AD&D flight-only coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade.
• Increased coverage choices of $4,000 or $7,000 for trip delay.
• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade.
• Rental car damage coverage of $50,000.

BEST FOR MISSED CONNECTIONS

Travelsafe insurance.

Classic Plus Plan

$100,000/$1 million

We like TravelSafe’s Classic because it provides superior missed connection and evacuation benefits. It also has very good trip interruption and hurricane and weather coverage at a competitive price.

More:   TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review

• Provides coverage for non-medical evacuation at $25,000 per person.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
• Excellent baggage loss coverage limits of $2,500 per person.
• $100,000 in medical benefits is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be sufficient for your needs.
• Baggage delay coverage is a little skimpy at $250 per person after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Classic Plus policy.

• Compensates $300 for fees if you have to redeposit frequent traveler awards for reasons covered by your trip cancellation insurance.
• If your return home is delayed by 24 hours or more due to a reason covered in your policy, the policy includes $100 of pet kennel coverage.
• If your travel supplier makes a change that forces you to lose non-refundable costs for missed activities, you’re eligible for $250 per person for itinerary changes.
• Accidental death and dismemberment for flights, up to $500,000 per person.
• Business equipment and sports equipment coverage of $1,000 if lost, stolen or damaged.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% of lost trip costs.
• Up to $35,000 in rental car damage and theft.

BEST FOR BAGGAGE

Axa assistance usa.

AXA’s Platinum plan stood out in our analysis because it hits all the high points for coverage that you’ll want if you’re looking for top-notch protection, including non-medical evacuation coverage and baggage insurance.

More:   AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

• Generous medical and evacuation limits.
• Baggage loss coverage of $3,000 per person is among the highest of plans we reviewed.
• Provides excellent non-medical evacuation coverage of $100,000 per person.
• Travel delay and baggage coverage kicks in only after a 12-hour delay.
• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade not available.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in AXA’s Platinum policy.

• “Cancel for any reason” coverage.
• Lost golf rounds.
• Lost ski days.

GREAT FOR MEDICAL EXPENSE AND MEDICAL EVACUATION

Seven corners.

Trip Protection Choice

$500,000/$1 million

We like Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan because of its great upgrade options and excellent benefits. These include unrivaled medical coverage limits, non-medical evacuation and very good missed connection benefits.

More:   Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

• Highest medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits among top-rated plans.
• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrades available.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Includes $20,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• Hurricane and weather coverage has a 48-hour delay, compared to some competitors’ plans that require only 6-, 12- or 24-hour delays.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice policy.

• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $40,000 per person for qualifying common carrier events.
• Change fee compensation of $300 per person if you have to change your flight or original travel arrangements due to qualifying events.
• Coverage of $500 for pet kennel benefits if your return home is delayed by six hours or more due to qualifying missed connection, interruption or delay problems.
• Frequent traveler coverage of $500 to pay for the cost to redeposit awards due to a trip cancellation caused by a reason listed in your policy.
• Event ticket fee registration coverage of $15,000 if you can’t attend an event due to unforeseen reasons listed in trip cancellation and interruption coverage.
• Coverage of $35,000 for rental car damage.
• Golf and sports equipment rental coverage up to $5,000.
• “Interruption for any reason” coverage.

GREAT FOR PRICE

Trawick international.

Safe Travels First Class

We picked Trawick’s Safe Travels First Class policy because it provides solid benefits at a great average cost—it’s the fourth cheapest among the 12 top-rated plans we evaluated. We also like that it includes high medical evacuation limits and good missed connection coverage.

More:  Trawick Travel Insurance Review

• Offers “cancel for any reason” upgrade.
• Top-level medical evacuation coverage of $1 million.
• Excellent baggage loss coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Medical coverage is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in Trawick’s Safe Travels First Class policy.

• Common carrier accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $25,000.
• Coverage for sports fees.
• Coverage of $50,000 for rental car damage.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that allows you to recoup 75% of insured trip costs if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to departure.

BEST FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION COVERAGE

Generali global assistance.

Premium plan

Medical and evacuation limits per person

Generali’s Premium policy got our attention because of its very good benefits at a decent average price. We like the Premium policy’s generous time frame for getting coverage for pre-existing conditions, excellent trip interruption insurance and medical coverage. It also includes and includes generous benefits for rental car damage and accidental death.

More:   Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

• You can qualify for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions if you buy the policy prior to or within 24 hours of making your final trip payment, as opposed to a deadline of 10 to 20 days after making your first trip deposit, which is typical from top competitors.
• Excellent hurricane and weather coverage with no waiting period.
• Top-notch emergency evacuation coverage of $1 million per person.
• If you want “cancel for any reason” coverage you must buy it within 24 hours of making your initial trip deposit, compared to 10 to 20 days from top competitors.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Generali Premium policy.

• Coverage of $52,000 for rental car theft and damage.
• Coverage of $2,000 for sporting equipment.
• Coverage of $500 for sporting equipment delay.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that compensates you 60% of your insured trip cost if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.

BEST FOR AD&D

John hancock insurance agency.

Average Cost

We recommend John Hancock’s Gold policy if you want a short travel delay waiting period and high medical and evacuation limits. The Gold plan also has the highest limits ($100,000) for accidental death and dismemberment of the plans we reviewed. It also stands out because it  includes very good trip interruption, baggage and missed connection coverage.

More:   John Hancock Travel Insurance Review

• Good missed connection coverage of $1,000 per person after 3-hour delay.
• Travel delay benefits kick in after only a 3-hour delay.
• Pricey among the plans we analyzed but you buy top-tier benefits.
• Baggage delay benefits require a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the John Hancock Gold policy.

• Coverage for sports fees and equipment loss.
• Coverage of $200 for ticket change fees if delayed by one hour or more.

Optional add-ons:

• Coverage of $300,000 or $500,000 for flight-only accidental death and dismemberment.
• Rental car collision coverage of $50,000.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade providing 75% of insured trip costs if you cancel at least 48 hours before your departure.

GREAT FOR TRAVEL DELAY WAITING PERIOD

Usi affinity travel insurance services.

While pricing is higher than most other top plans, we chose USI’s Diamond plan for its solid range of top-level benefits, including first-rate medical and evacuation benefits and very good missed connection coverage. It also has a short waiting period for travel delays—six hours compared to 12 hours for some top-rated competitors.

More:   USI Affinity Travel Insurance Review

• Superior coverage levels for medical expenses and evacuation.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $1,500 per person.
• High baggage loss coverage of $2,500 per person.
• Baggage delay coverage is good at $500 per person but requires a 12-hour delay for benefits to start.
• Has the second-highest average cost among top-scoring plans.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the USI Affinity Diamond policy.

• Rental car damage benefits of $1,000.
• Flight-only accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $10,000.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade providing reimbursement of 75% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel at least 48 hours before departure.

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION

Travel Guard Preferred

$50,000/$500,000

AIG’s Travel Guard Preferred plan is one of our favorites because it provides solid benefits at a very low average price. Optional pet, wedding, security, baggage, medical, adventures sports and travel inconvenience upgrades allow you to customize a policy to fit your needs.

Additionally, the Travel Guard Preferred plan includes benefits if (under certain conditions) you must start your trip earlier than planned—a feature not found in all policies.

More:   AIG Travel Insurance Review

• Provides up to $750 for “travel inconveniences,” such as flight delay to your return destination, runway delays and cruise diversions.
• Reimburses up to $2,500 for meals, accommodations and transportation if you must begin your trip earlier than scheduled due to inclement weather or common carrier changes.
• Very low travel medical insurance limits compared to other policies we evaluated, but you can increase coverage with an upgrade.
• Missed connection benefits of $1,000 are low compared to some competitors.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in AIG’s Travel Guard Preferred policy.

• Ancillary evacuation benefits up to $5,000 for expenses related to return of children, bedside visits, baggage return and more.
• Flight accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $100,000 per person.
• Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 total ($250 per problem) if you encounter issues such as closed attractions, cruise diversion, hotel infestation, hotel construction and more.
• Trip exchange benefits of 50% of your trip cost that pay the difference in price between your original reservation and the new one.
• Adventure Sports Bundle for adventure and extreme activities.
• Boarding and medical expenses for illness or injury of dog or cat while traveling is covered with the Pet Bundle. Includes trip cancellation or trip interruption if your pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days before your departure.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that reimburses 50% of insured trip costs.
• Rental vehicle damage coverage of $50,000.
• Wedding Bundle to cover trip cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Note that brides and grooms are excluded from this benefit.
• You’re allowed to add a person to your policy who will qualify for family member-related unforeseen events that can apply to claims for trip cancellation and interruption with the “Name Your Family” upgrade.

BEST FOR HURRICANE AND WEATHER

Hth worldwide.

TripProtector Preferred Plan

We were impressed byHTH’s TripProtector Preferred policy which is packed with luxury-level benefits and has a short waiting period for hurricane and weather. It also stands out for its superior medical and evacuation benefits and trip interruption coverage, but it also comes with a high average price.

More:   HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

• Waiting period of only six hours for hurricane and weather, compared to most competitors that have 12 or 48.
• Excellent trip interruption coverage of 200% of the trip cost.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.
• Highest average cost among top-rated companies, but you’re getting robust benefits.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the HTH Worldwide TripProtector Preferred policy.

• Coverage of $35,000 for rental car damage and theft.
• Coverage of $250 for pet medical expenses if your dog or cat traveling with you gets injured or sick during your trip.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that compensates you 75% reimbursement of trip costs if you cancel at least two days prior to your scheduled departure.

Cruise insurance can be any travel insurance policy that has the coverage features you want. It does not have to be a travel insurance policy with “cruise” in the policy name.

Travel insurance for cruises works the same as standard travel insurance. You pay for a policy that compensates you for problems that can disrupt your cruise. It’s helpful to have missed connection coverage included in a cruise insurance policy, as the cost of catching up to a cruise can be significant.

Cruise insurance generally covers the following—up to your policy limits— if the expense is caused by a reason listed in your policy or not excluded from coverage:

Travel Medical Insurance

This pays for medical expenses associated with injuries and illness you get while on the trip. The top travel insurance plans have $500,000 in travel medical insurance , but you might find $150,000 to be sufficient for a cruise. If you’re a senior, good travel medical coverage is crucial.

U.S. health plans may have very limited or no coverage when you’re outside the U.S. And Medicare doesn’t cover medical care outside the U.S., with only very narrow exceptions .

Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage

Medical evacuation travel insurance covers the costs to get you to the nearest adequate medical facility or even back home if it’s medically required. Your travel insurer’s emergency assistance team can also help arrange for the medevac.

Coverage for Pre-existing Medical Conditions

You can also get a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if you buy coverage within a certain period, usually within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit. This means medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions that arise during your trip will be covered.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you 100% for the pre-paid and non-refundable deposits you lose if you have to cancel for a reason covered by the policy .

Trip Interruption Coverage

This will reimburse you for unused trip costs if your trip is cut short because of illness, injury, death, a family emergency back home or other reasons. Trip interruption insurance can also pay for the extra expenses of a trip interruption, such as a one-way plane ticket home on short notice. The reason for the interruption has to be listed in the policy.

“Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) Travel Insurance

Canceling for reasons that aren’t listed in the policy isn’t covered, unless you have already purchased a CFAR upgrade. This typically reimburses you 75% of trip costs, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your departure. Adding it increases a policy cost by an average of 50%.

For example, you could make a “cancel for any reason” claim if you’re worried about being seasick—a reason not covered by standard trip cancellation insurance. Buy this coverage shortly after you make your first trip deposit or the purchase window for it will close.

“Interruption for Any Reason” Travel Insurance

Cutting a trip short for reasons that aren’t listed in the policy aren’t covered, unless you have already purchased “interruption for any reason” travel insurance . This coverage typically reimburses you 75% of trip costs. It usually adds 3% to 10% to your travel insurance cost. You generally must buy it within 15 to 20 days of making your first trip deposit. Benefits don’t kick in until you are a specified amount of time into your trip, for example 48 or 72 hours.

Travel insurance companies currently offering “interruption for any reason” coverage include PrimeCover, Nationwide, Seven Corners, Travel Insured International and WorldTrips.

Additional Types of Travel Insurance for Cruises

A comprehensive travel insurance plan will package additional benefits such as travel delay insurance , baggage insurance and missed connection insurance .

The best travel insurance plans offer high levels of reimbursement and short waiting periods for benefits to go into effect when things go wrong. A travel insurance agent can help you match your concerns to the right travel insurance package.

A cruise travel insurance policy may also compensate you if your cruise ship is disabled and you’re stuck on board without power, food or water for a specified amount of time listed in your policy. For example, the WaveCare plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection provides a flat $500 reimbursement for cruise disablement if you’re stuck on the ship for five hours or more without one of these: power, food, water or a restroom.

Typically, cruise insurance also provides a 24/7 hotline for travel emergencies.

The average cost of cruise insurance is $453 per trip, based on our analysis of rates for 40 cruise travel insurance plans.

Cruise insurance costs will generally depend on your age and the cost and length of your trip. Below are examples of cruise insurance costs for the top-rated companies in our analysis.

You can buy cruise insurance from your cruise line, through a travel agent or from a travel insurance agent or company.

Although you can purchase a policy right up to your departure, there are advantages to buying travel insurance right after booking your trip . One is that you can maximize the length of your trip cancellation coverage. For example, if you buy a travel insurance policy three months before your departure and get seriously injured a week before you leave, you can file a trip cancellation claim.

Buying cruise insurance within the first two weeks or so of making your first trip deposit also qualifies you for additional coverage. This can include a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver or a “cancel for any reason” travel insurance (CFAR) upgrade, depending on the policy.

CFAR allows you to recoup 50% or 75% of your forfeited, non-refundable trip costs, depending on your policy. You must cancel at least 48 hours prior to your departure. CFAR increases your travel insurance cost by about 50%.

If the dates of your trip change, your travel insurance company should allow you to change the dates of your policy to match the new travel dates. You can also add items to your itinerary later—such as shore excursions—and then add them to your travel insurance coverage.

Cruise lines departing from the U.S. generally do not require travel insurance. But it’s a good idea to buy a policy that includes travel medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance. That’s because U.S. health insurance is unlikely to cover you if you travel outside of the United States.

EXPERT TIPS

How to Get Travel Insurance for a Cruise

Penny Gusner

Insurance Senior Writer

Insurance Lead Editor

Michelle Megna

Ashlee Valentine

Insurance Editor

Les Masterson

Understand What Cruise Insurance Covers

I suggest you read sample policies online while you’re shopping around. You can learn the finer details and become familiar with how much you’ll be compensated for if you file a travel insurance claim. That way you won’t get any unpleasant surprises about what’s covered and what isn’t.

Assess Your Needs

I think it’s smart to think about your personal circumstances before you start shopping. For example, If you’re worried about a problem at home potentially escalating before or after your departure, you should look for policies that offer “cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrades.

Buy Travel Medical Insurance

I don’t think many people realize that cruise companies generally don’t accept your health insurance coverage if you get sick or injured while on your trip. Medicare Parts A and B may provide coverage in limited cases—for example, if you’re in a U.S. port or no more than six hours away from one. That’s why it’s important to buy travel medical insurance with ample benefits when you purchase a policy for a cruise.

Get An Annual Plan for Frequent Travelers

My advice for those planning on taking multiple trips is to consider an annual travel insurance plan . It’s more affordable than buying multiple policies during one year and all your trips will be covered.

Compare Cruise Insurance Policies

I recommend shopping around and comparing policies from multiple travel insurance companies. The price can vary from one company to another for similar benefits.

Cruise insurance is worth it if you don’t want to risk losing the non-refundable money you invested in your trip if the unexpected happens. For example, let’s say you missed the boat. Cruise insurance can pay for you to rejoin the cruise if you can’t board on time because of an issue covered by the policy, such as severe weather.

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your trip cost, according to our analysis of travel insurance rates. That means cruise insurance might be worth it if:

• Your non-refundable trip costs are much more than you can afford to lose.
• You are traveling internationally and your U.S. health plan has limited coverage abroad.
• You are traveling to a remote area with limited health care facilities and want insurance that will pay for medical transportation to an adequate medical facility.
• You are traveling to a hurricane-prone area where your trip could be scuttled due to weather.
• Your trip involves connecting flights or multiple destinations, which increase the chances of travel delays and lost baggage.
• You want to be partially reimbursed if you decide to cancel your trip or return home early for any reason.

I’ve unfortunately filed several cruise insurance claims in recent years, but I’m so grateful I had coverage. When my father passed away on the day we were set to depart, insurance reimbursed us over $3,000 for the trip cancellation. Later, my wife and I tested positive for Covid-19 in Paris right before our river cruise. We had to cancel and pay for a week’s stay in a pricey hotel, but insurance covered the entire $12,000 claim. Most recently, I was diagnosed with cancer before a cruise and had to cancel for surgery. The documentation was complex, but our policy paid the remaining $2,000 to $3,000 after refunds without hesitation. Travel insurance gave us peace of mind through it all.

– David R., Texas

To find the best cruise insurance, Forbes Advisor analyzed travel insurance data to score travel insurance policies based on the following factors. We include only travel insurance policies that include missed connection coverage.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Travel Insurance Companies

Editor’s note: While our parent company has an interest in PrimeCover, this review was subjected to our team’s standard rigorous editorial process, which remains independent of any influence from insurance companies, business relationships, affiliates or any other external parties.

Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

If I cancel my cruise without insurance can I get a refund?

You may qualify for a refund if you cancel a cruise without travel insurance, but the specifics depend on the refund rules outlined by the cruise company. Typically, the closer to the departure date, the less likely it is you’ll get a refund. For example,  if you cancel your cruise 90 days or more before departure, you may get a refund, minus the non-refundable deposit. But if you cancel 30 days or less, you may not get any of your money back.

Even if you have travel insurance, you wouldn’t be eligible to file a cancellation claim if your cruise company provides refunds. Travel insurance only compensates you for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

How do I buy cruise insurance for a long-duration cruise?

The coverage in many travel insurance policies will max out at 90 days, so you’ll need to look for a travel insurance policy that can provide coverage for a long trip length.

For example, Allianz Global Assistance ’s OneTrip Premier Plan can cover a trip up to 366 days and includes $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage and $1 million in emergency medical evacuation benefits. It also provides trip cancellation coverage in the event that there is an NOAA hurricane warning at your destination.

How do I buy insurance for cruise shore excursions?

If your shore excursions are pricey, insure the non-refundable deposits for the excursions and the cruise. If your excursions are included in the cruise cost, you would simply insure the cruise trip cost.

Travel medical insurance can cover medical expenses you incur while on and off the ship. But if your excursions involve adventure activities or extreme sports, be aware that many travel policies exclude these from coverage. Still, there are adventure travel policies and optional upgrades that will cover injuries due to activities such as mountain climbing, parasailing, skydiving and hot air ballooning.

Review your policy to be sure the plan you’re buying will cover your adventurous fun. If it doesn’t, ask about an adventure sports add-on, or consider a company such as World Nomads that caters to the adventurous traveler.

Do I need a special cruise insurance plan?

You don’t need a travel insurance plan that’s specifically for cruises. Any good travel insurance policy with generous medical coverage and the other benefits you want can be the best cruise insurance for you.

Can you buy cruise insurance after booking?

You can buy cruise insurance after booking your trip, right up until just before departure. The downside to waiting is that you likely won’t be able to cover pre-existing medical conditions, and you’ll lose the option to add “cancel for any reason” coverage .

Buying right after you book also lets you lock in trip cancellation coverage right away.

Can I cancel a cruise without insurance?

You can cancel a cruise, but you may have to pay a cancellation penalty. You could also lose the cost of pre-paid shore excursions. If you don’t have travel insurance for these losses, check the credit card you used for booking. Some credit cards include trip cancellation coverage .

Next Up In Travel Insurance

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Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.

11-Night Splendors of Egypt & the Nile CME AWAY® River Cruise

On board uniworld river tosca, topics: dermatology emergency medicine psychiatry.

Sailing November 4th, 2023 - November 15th, 2023

Cruise the Nile in a manner once reserved for queens and pharaohs.

For 12 adventure-filled days, experience Egypt and the Nile’s most wondrous sites in style and luxury. *  Wander amongst the towering ruins of the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest ancient religious complex, and the entrancing Temple of Luxor. Visit temples dedicated to Hathor, Horus, and other mythological figures, and pay homage to the country’s first female ruler at the Temple of Hatshepsut. Follow in the footsteps of renowned scholars and explorers as you venture forth into the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. You will enjoy an exhilarating ride in a  felucca , a traditional Nile River sailboat.

This captivating itinerary begins and ends in Cairo, where you’ll visit the famous Egyptian Museum and its stupendous and unrivaled collection of pharaonic artifacts, including treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Journey to Giza to gaze upon the mighty ancient Pyramids and the timeworn, enigmatic Sphinx—iconic images that continue to amaze.

An enchanting land of marvels, myths, and wonders old and new, Egypt is an extraordinary destination no culturally curious traveler will want to miss.

Faculty & CME Details

Dr. anne curtis.

Dermatology

About The Speaker

Dr. Anne Curtis is a busy Toronto dermatologist who combines a practice in general dermatology with one in cosmetic dermatology. She graduated from medical school at the University of Toronto in 1982 and was awarded the Cody Gold Medal for the highest standing over 4 years of medical school. She then completed a fellowship in Internal Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, where she was Chief Resident at University Hospital. Dr. Curtis then returned to the University of Toronto where she completed her dermatology training in Toronto and Hamilton. In addition to her Canadian fellowships, she has her American Board certifications in Internal Medicine and Dermatology as well.

In addition to her office practice, Dr. Curtis is the former Director of the Dermatology Laser Centre at Women’s College Hospital. She also teaches both family medicine and dermatology residents and is the President of the Eglinton Branch Society of the Ontario Medical Association. For 5 years she was an Ontario Delegate to the Canadian Medical Association. She is the current Treasurer of the Toronto Dermatological Society and organizes the meetings of a large Toronto dermatology journal club. Dr. Curtis is married to an academic psychiatrist and is the mother of 3 adult sons. She enjoys drama and sings soprano in her church choir.

Dr. Mitchell Shulman

Emergency Medicine

Dr. Mitch Shulman (or “Dr Mitch” as he’s known to those who follow him on radio, TV and in print) has always loved teaching. He’s an Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at McGill and an attending physician in the emergencies of the 2 campuses of the McGill University Health System teaching medical students and residents. He has presented at McGill’s Thursday Evening Lecture series and its Lunchtime Webinars, at the McGill Refresher Course for Family Physicians and at many other professional meetings. He’s an ACLS Master Instructor. He’s also actively engaged in educating the public. He appears daily on Bell Media Radio, weekly on Global TV’s, Montreal This Morning and is an award-winning columnist with a weekly column in the largest English language weekly in Quebec, The Suburban. He volunteers his time speaking at many charitable events.

After completing his undergraduate training at Harvard, he came back home to Montreal to attend McGill Medical School and then did a residency in Emergency Medicine (where he was Chief Resident). He was among the first Royal College certified Emergency Medicine specialists (1983) and served as an examiner for the Royal College. He was acting Director of the Emergency Department and served as its Research Director. He’s been a community doc and an occupational health physician. Currently, as well as his emergency department clinical responsibilities, he also serves as a medical scientist on an ethics review committee and works at the McGill Student Health Center. His commitment to his community runs deep. He was its Medical Director responsible for First Response and coached hockey to the Junior level. He still refs local ice hockey and plays. His philosophy on teaching has always been that we all have valuable knowledge to share and so he sincerely looks forward to hearing from you as we share the learning at this Sea Courses event.

Dr. Blake Woodside

Dr. Blake Woodside is an expert in the treatment of severe eating disorders, and their common comorbidities. Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, he has been treating patients and engaged in the development of new treatments for eating disorders and their common comorbidities, such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorders and post traumatic stress disorder for many years. He is also a trained Marital and Family Therapist, and is a clinical member and approved supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. His research has focused on the underlying biological variables contributing to eating disorders and on the development of new treatments. He lives in Toronto with his wife Anne and his three living children.

• Introduction to Eating Disorders
• Overview of Anxiety Disorders
• Understanding Depression
• Acne and Rosacea- an approach to treatment
• Diseases of the Hair and Nails - diagnosis and treatment
• Nevi and Skin Cancer- diagnosis and treatment
• Cosmetic Dermatology - assessing and counselling patients
• Basic & Advanced Cardiac Life Support: Latest Updates: What Do They Mean For Me and My Patients?
• Concussion: It’s Not Just About Athletes
• Office Emergencies: You And Your Staff Are At Risk! Do You Know What To Do?
• ENT Emergencies: From Nose Bleeds To Orbital Cellulitis: What You Need to Know to Handle Common and Uncommon ENT Emergencies
• Emergency Procedures For Non-Emergency Docs: Tricks to Manage the Airway and Access the Circulation When your Patient is Crashing
• In-Flight Medical Emergencies: Is There A Doctor On Board?
• Managing Pain: Useful Tips from the Emergency Room That You Can Apply Elsewhere

Venue Information

Additional noteworthy features.

• Meals onboard prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
• Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner
• Farewell Dinner
• Complimentary house wine, local beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee will be served during lunch and dinner onboard
• 9 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking trained Egyptologists

ACCOMMODATIONS

• 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the elegant  River Tosca
• Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites
• 4 nights in Cairo at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza (or similar)

EXPERIENCES

• 1 country: Egypt
• 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Services of an experienced Egyptologist
• Cultural enrichment
• All transfers on arrival and departure days
• Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour

Itinerary & Schedule

Detailed itinerary, day 1 | saturday, november 4, 2023 | cairo (arrive),   day 2 | sunday, november 5, 2023 | cairo, day 3 | monday, november 6, 2023 | cairo, fly to luxor (embark) cruising the nile river, dendera, day 4 | tuesday, november 7, 2023 | dendera, cruising the nile river, luxor, day 5 | wednesday, november 8, 2023 | luxor, kom ombo, day 6 | thursday, november 9, 2023 | kom ombo, cruising the nile river, aswan,   day 7 | friday, november 10, 2023 | aswan, day 8 | saturday, november 11, 2023 | aswan, cruising the nile river, edfu, day 9 | sunday, november 12, 2023 | esna, cruising the nile river, luxor, day 10 | monday, november 13, 2023 | luxor (disembark), fly to cairo, day 11 | tuesday, november 14, 2023 | cairo, day 12 | wednesday, november 15, 2023 | depart cairo, pre-and-post trip information.

Cruise, Land, Resort must be booked through CME AWAY®.

This course is designed for family physicians, specialists, and allied health care professionals. The aim is to provide evidence-based material, as well as practical and relevant clinical pearls that will be easy to implement into one’s own medical practice. Conference attendees will be invited to complete a pre-course Needs Assessment to assist the faculty with the development of their presentations.

Dermatology Emergency Medicine Psychiatry

Inquire about this CME AWAY ®

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Nasdaq composite today: Tech-heavy Nasdaq closed up 2.32%

Wayne Duggan

Farran Powell

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Published 4:55 p.m. UTC Aug. 15, 2024

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Nasdaq composite today

The Nasdaq composite closed today at 17,591.07. Compared to yesterday’s close, the benchmark index rose by 398.47 points, or 2.32%. Year to date, the benchmark index is up by 19.13%.

Nasdaq chart today

The Nasdaq composite has historically had a high correlation with the S&P 500 . The two indexes even share common components, including Apple , Microsoft and Alphabet .

Like the S&P 500, the Nasdaq typically reacts to macroeconomic catalysts such as U.S. gross domestic product growth, corporate earnings, investor sentiment and geopolitical headlines.

Nasdaq performance

Despite periods of extreme market volatility, such as the dot-com bubble and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nasdaq has generated an overall gain of 290.19% in the past 10 years. That’s significantly higher than the S&P 500, gaining 183.50% in that period.

Nasdaq 100 companies

The Nasdaq 100 index is a subset of the Nasdaq composite that includes the 100 Nasdaq stocks with the largest market caps. Listed below are the top and bottom market movers among Nasdaq 100 companies.

Dow performance vs. Nasdaq performance

The Nasdaq composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average are the most popular U.S. stock market benchmarks.

The Nasdaq closed today at 17,591.07, compared to the Dow, which closed at 40,566.86. Year to date, the Nasdaq is up, with a return of 19.13%, while the Dow is up, with a return of 7.56%.

While both indexes are well diversified, each has a unique focus that may appeal to different types of investors.

The Dow is known as the blue-chip index because its 30 components are typically large companies with industry-leading businesses, valuable and recognizable brands, and long track records of stability and profitability.

The Nasdaq contains more growth stocks with unproven track records. As a result, the Nasdaq can be more volatile during periods of market weakness but tends to outperform the Dow when the economy is booming.

Top 10 companies in the Nasdaq 100

The Nasdaq composite is market capitalization weighted, meaning larger, more valuable companies have a greater impact than smaller, less valuable companies.

The top 10 companies represent a total combined index weighting of more than 50%.

As of Dec. 29, 2023, the Nasdaq's top 10 components by weight were Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), Nvidia (NVDA), Alphabet Class A (GOOGL), Alphabet Class C (GOOG), Tesla (TSLA), Meta Platforms (META), Broadcom (AVGO) and Costco (COST).

What is the Nasdaq composite?

The Nasdaq composite is an index that tracks the share prices of all the stocks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. It is maintained by Nasdaq and has more than 3,400 total components.

To be included in the index, a stock must be a common stock of a company listed exclusively on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Real estate investment trusts , American depository receipts and limited partnership shares are eligible for inclusion, while preferred stock, exchange-traded funds and some other types of securities are not.

Because the Nasdaq composite includes all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, there are no specific eligibility requirements for the index related to market cap, trading volume or other characteristics. However, the Nasdaq Stock Market has eligibility requirements for listing on the exchange.

To gain eligibility for an initial listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market, a company must meet at least one of four sets of eligibility requirements, which include a bid price of at least $4 and at least 1.1 million unrestricted publicly held shares.

Once listed, companies must continue to meet Nasdaq's continued listing standards, which include at least 400 total shareholders.

The Nasdaq composite is reconstituted daily, with new constituents added or removed based on security information from the previous trading day.

How to invest in Nasdaq companies

Because the Nasdaq composite is an index, not an asset, you can't buy it directly. However, there are several options for tracking the performance of the Nasdaq without buying shares of more than 3,400 companies. You can buy index mutual funds and ETFs designed to track the Nasdaq composite.

More advanced traders can also trade Nasdaq derivative contracts, such as futures and options. Nasdaq even offers more than 150 annuities and indexed life products linked to Nasdaq indexes.

Nasdaq ETFs

Exchange-traded funds contain baskets of securities constructed to match the performance of an underlying index, such as the Nasdaq composite. You can purchase shares of the popular Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF (ONEQ) directly in your brokerage account, just like a stock.

Several ETFs track a related index called the Nasdaq 100. The Invesco QQQ Trust Series I ETF (QQQ) tracks the Nasdaq 100 index, with an expense ratio, or annual management fee, of just 0.2%.

More aggressive traders can buy leveraged Nasdaq ETFs, such as the ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ), which provides triple leveraged exposure to the Nasdaq 100. However, investors should understand that leveraged ETFs come with unique risks and often underperform their targets over the long term.

What are Nasdaq futures?

Nasdaq futures are derivative contracts tied to the Nasdaq composite index. Nasdaq futures give traders a way to speculate on the future price movements of the Nasdaq or affordably hedge against long or short positions in Nasdaq index funds.

Each CME E-mini Nasdaq Composite Futures (QCN) contract costs $20 times the value of the Nasdaq composite. The CME E-mini Nasdaq 100 Futures (NQ) costs $20 times the value of the Nasdaq 100.

These futures contracts trade on CME Globex from Sunday at 6 p.m. ET to Friday at 5 p.m. ET, with a daily maintenance period from 5 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

As of Dec. 29, 2023, more than 3,400 stocks were included in the Nasdaq composite index. But that number fluctuates as companies gain and lose eligibility. Every common stock listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market is included in the Nasdaq composite index.

The Nasdaq composite’s all-time intraday high was 18,671.07 on July 11, 2024.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Wayne Duggan is a regular contributor for Forbes Advisor and U.S. News and World Report and has been a staff writer for Benzinga since 2014. He is an expert in the psychological challenges of investing and frequently reports on breaking market news and analyst commentary related to popular stocks. Some of his prior work includes contributing news and analysis to Seeking Alpha, InvestorPlace.com, Motley Fool, and the Lightspeed Active Trading blog. He’s the author of the book "Beating Wall Street With Common Sense," which focuses on practical investing strategies to outperform the stock market. He resides in Biloxi, Mississippi

Farran Powell is the lead editor of investing at USA TODAY Blueprint. She was previously the assistant managing editor of investing at U.S. News and World Report. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including TheStreet, Mansion Global, CNN, CNN Money, DNAInfo, Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money and the New York Daily News. She holds a BSc from the London School of Economics and an MA from the University of Texas at Austin. You can follow her on Twitter at @farranpowell.

S&P 500 (SPX) today: The benchmark index rose 0.25% this morning

Investing Tony Dong

Crude oil prices today: WTI prices are down 1.14% today

Investing Wayne Duggan

Silver price today: Silver is trading at $27.98

Palladium price today: Palladium is down 2.57%, trading at $929.50

Investing Coryanne Hicks

Platinum price today: Platinum is trading at $940.35

Gold price today: Gold is down 1.11% today

Nasdaq composite today: The index is up by 0.02%

Crude oil prices today: WTI prices are down 1.60% today

Silver price today: Silver is trading at $27.85

Palladium price today: Palladium is up 2.31% today

Platinum price today: Platinum is down 0.01% today

Gold price today: Gold is trading at $2,468.73

Nasdaq composite today: The index closed up 403.34 points

Silver price today: Silver is trading at $27.71

S&P 500 (SPX) today: The index opened up 0.29% in early trading

Morning Bid: US Rate Cuts in View After Tame CPI Report

FILE PHOTO: A woman shops for groceries at El Progreso Market in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, D.C., U.S., August 19, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File Photo

By Lewis Krauskopf

(Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. 

The prospect of looming U.S. rate cuts was back on the front burner after an inflation report, which had kept markets on edge ahead of its release, showed a tame reading.

Wednesday's consumer price index showed a moderate rise in July with the annual increase in U.S. inflation slowing below 3% for the first time in nearly 3-1/2 years.

Following the July CPI data, the question investors seemed to be debating was not whether the Fed would cut rates at its Sept. 17 to 18 meeting, but by how much. Traders appeared to be leaning toward a more modest 25 basis point cut, but 50 bps was not ruled out. Nearly 40% odds were put on the bigger cut in September, according to CME FedWatch. The Fed’s annual Jackson Hole gathering, set for Aug. 22 to 24, will give Chair Jerome Powell a chance to fine tune his rates message ahead of the meeting.

Much more U.S. economic data also will arrive in coming weeks, starting on Thursday with the monthly retail sales report and the weekly jobless claims data. The reports are likely to receive even greater scrutiny given the weak employment data at the start of August that sparked some concerns about a potential recession. 

That employment data also was a catalyst for a bout of severe volatility and equity downside to start August, but markets seemed to be moving further and further from those wild swings.

The S&P 500 ended up 0.4% on Wednesday after the tame CPI report, with the benchmark index now down less than 4% from its all-time high reached in July. The Cboe Volatility index continued to recede, ending at just over 16 on Wednesday after shooting above 65 on Aug. 5.

In another sign of revived animal spirits on Wednesday, candy giant Mars was set to buy Cheez-It maker Kellanova for nearly $36 billion, in the year's biggest deal to date. 

Rate cuts were gripping other regions as well. New Zealand's central bank slashed its benchmark rate for the first time since March 2020 and flagged more cuts over coming months. 

Elsewhere, GDP data was expected on Thursday for Japan, as investors in the country were still digesting news that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will step down in September.

Meanwhile, China is set to release a spate of data, including retail sales. A number of gloomy reports have dulled expectations for China's economic performance in July.

Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Thursday:

- China industrial output, retail sales (July)

- Japan GDP (Q2)

- U.S. retail sales (July)

(Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; Editing by Josie Kao)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Tags: United States , Asia , Japan

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