Europe Remains Top Choice for U.S. Cruise Passengers

Annual cruise survey by InsureMyTrip suggests consumer confidence remains high, despite travel concerns and voyage mishaps.

InsureMyTrip, the travel insurance authority, announced the results of its travel survey of 2,289 U.S. respondents. The poll reveals that a vast majority of cruisers have experienced some kind of travel itinerary disruption during a trip. Twenty-four percent polled had filed a travel insurance claim for a cruise-related issue. Health reasons also led the majority of those claims with travelers.

Cruisers are more worried about an illness or injury affecting a trip than bad weather or terrorism. Fifty-two percent worry most about themselves or a family member getting sick or injured (3 percent increase from last year). Twenty-nine percent worry most about bad weather affecting a cruise. Twenty-four percent have experienced seasickness or a stomach illness during a voyage.

During a voyage, 38% experienced an unexpected itinerary change. Despite this type of disruption, most cruisers are pleased with their overall experience. Sixty-one percent stated a cruise always met their expectations.

The cruise itinerary (60%) is the main reason why travelers choose to book a particular cruise. Other top factors included reputation and reviews (17%). Price (14%) is also a consideration.

Travelers, who voluntarily took part in this survey, had all researched or purchased travel insurance within the past 24 months. Out of those polled, 24 percent had filed a travel insurance claim for a cruise-related issue. Here are common reasons for filing a claim:

This year, cruisers report a better understanding of whether their health insurance works outside the United States. Thirty-six percent said their domestic health insurance would provide coverage, while 37 percent believed their insurance plan would offer no coverage. 

Twenty-seven percent polled were not sure whether their domestic health insurance plan would cover any doctor or hospital visits while traveling out of the country, a decrease when comparing results from last year.

The Caribbean and Europe are favorite cruise destinations while 12 percent chose Alaska as a top place to visit.