This year, over 26 million people will board a cruise ship and enjoy unlimited meals, drinks by the pool, and onboard entertainment. However, a few passengers will end up in a jail that is located below the passenger decks on a ship.
Passengers who land in cruise jail are also at risk of being ordered to disembark their cruise at the next port. Leading travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, breaks down how travel insurance may help if a traveler is thrown into cruise jail.
Alcohol and Cruise Jail Don’t Mix
If a traveler was intoxicated when they were detained and put in cruise jail, travel insurance will not pay them back for any expenses. Intoxication is always excluded by travel insurance providers. Additionally, a claim will be denied if a traveler needs medical treatment for an injury or illness and their medical documentation indicates that they were drinking past the legal limit.
Taken into Cruise Jail Custody
All travel insurance providers have 24 hour Emergency Assistance, which can include legal assistance. Travelers who find themselves in cruise jail can call their provider’s emergency assistance line to get help with finding a legal advisor. Their travel insurance provider may also be able to provide payment for legal fees. They can also help the traveler arrange a funds transfer from a family member or friend.
While Emergency Assistance will provide the traveler with immediate help, it’s important to understand that if the traveler was put in cruise jail because of an unlawful act, their travel insurance will not provide any coverage. Breaking the law is always excluded from travel insurance coverage.
Abandoned in a Foreign Country
If a traveler ends up in cruise jail for an offense that’s worse than just having a little too much to drink, they may be ordered to disembark from their cruise at the next port. Being alone in a foreign country, especially if the traveler doesn’t speak the language, can be scary.
Travel insurance can help make arrangements for hotel accommodations and transportation home. However, if the traveler is in the situation because they broke the law, they will only receive help making the arrangements and won’t be paid back for any of these expenses.
All this can be avoided by simply obeying rules and staying out of cruise jail.
About Squaremouth: Squaremouth compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth’s comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare travel insurance policies side-by-side. More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com.
