
TL;DR
Embarking on an extended cruise is the adventure of a lifetime. But when you're sailing across oceans and visiting multiple continents, a standard travel insurance policy simply won't suffice. At WeCovr, with our experience in helping over 900,000 clients secure various types of policies, we know that robust International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is non-negotiable for serious travellers.
Key takeaways
- Trip Duration Limits: Most policies cap continuous travel at 30, 60, or a maximum of 90 days. A world cruise far exceeds this.
- Inadequate Medical Caps: A £5 million limit might sound high, but a complex medical event involving an air ambulance and a lengthy stay in a US hospital can easily surpass this.
- Strict Pre-existing Condition Exclusions: Travel insurance almost universally excludes any claim related to a condition you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the past.
- No Routine or Elective Care: Feeling unwell and wanting a check-up, managing a flare-up of a known condition, or seeking a specialist opinion is not covered.
- Limited Choice: The insurer, not you, decides which hospital you go to, which is often the nearest "adequate" public facility, not necessarily the best one.
Embarking on an extended cruise is the adventure of a lifetime. But when you're sailing across oceans and visiting multiple continents, a standard travel insurance policy simply won't suffice. At WeCovr, with our experience in helping over 900,000 clients secure various types of policies, we know that robust International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is non-negotiable for serious travellers. This guide offers an expert comparison of the top IPMI providers for the UK market, ensuring your health is protected no matter which port you call home.
A provider comparison for cruise travellers — benefits, service quality, price factors and how each insurer handles worldwide port access and emergency care
For long-duration voyages, such as a world cruise, your health cover needs to function like a domestic health plan, but on a global scale. It must cover everything from a routine check-up in Sydney to a major medical emergency in the Caribbean. This requires a specialist class of insurance: IPMI.
We'll compare the titans of the industry—AXA Global, Bupa Global, and IMG—along with other key players, focusing on the features that matter most to cruise travellers: global hospital access, emergency evacuation, service quality, and how they manage pre-existing conditions.
Why Standard Travel Insurance Is a Sinking Ship for World Cruises
Many travellers mistakenly believe their annual multi-trip travel policy is adequate. For a two-week holiday, it might be. For a six-month world cruise, it’s dangerously insufficient.
Standard travel insurance policies are designed for short-term, unforeseen emergencies only. They are not designed for long-term health management abroad.
Here are their critical limitations:
- Trip Duration Limits: Most policies cap continuous travel at 30, 60, or a maximum of 90 days. A world cruise far exceeds this.
- Inadequate Medical Caps: A £5 million limit might sound high, but a complex medical event involving an air ambulance and a lengthy stay in a US hospital can easily surpass this.
- Strict Pre-existing Condition Exclusions: Travel insurance almost universally excludes any claim related to a condition you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the past.
- No Routine or Elective Care: Feeling unwell and wanting a check-up, managing a flare-up of a known condition, or seeking a specialist opinion is not covered.
- Limited Choice: The insurer, not you, decides which hospital you go to, which is often the nearest "adequate" public facility, not necessarily the best one.
Travel Insurance vs. IPMI: The Critical Differences
| Feature | Standard Travel Insurance | International PMI (IPMI) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Short-term emergency cover | Long-term comprehensive health cover |
| Duration | Up to 90 days per trip | Annual, renewable policy (no trip limits) |
| Medical Limit | Capped (e.g., £5m - £10m) | Very high or unlimited |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Almost always excluded | Can be covered subject to underwriting |
| Routine Care | Not covered | Often covered (outpatient benefit) |
| Choice of Hospital | Limited or none | Full choice within network/region |
| Medical Evacuation | To nearest suitable facility | To nearest centre of excellence or home country |
| Best For | Short holidays | Extended travel, living abroad, world cruises |
For the peace of mind required on a long cruise, IPMI is the only viable solution. It acts as your primary health insurance while you are away from the UK and its NHS services.
The "Big Three" IPMI Providers for Global Cruisers
When it comes to providing truly global, reliable health cover, three names consistently stand out for their robust networks, comprehensive benefits, and experience in handling complex international medical cases. An expert broker like WeCovr can help you navigate their plans to find the optimal fit for your specific itinerary and health needs.
| Provider | Best For | Key Strength | Price Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXA Global | Overall balanced performance | Huge global network & digital health tools | Mid-to-High |
| Bupa Global | Comprehensive cover & premium service | Best-in-class for chronic/complex conditions | Premium |
| IMG | Flexibility and US market strength | Tiered plans & deep US network knowledge | Competitive / Flexible |
Let's dive deeper into what each provider offers the discerning cruise traveller.
Deep Dive: AXA Global Healthcare
AXA is a global insurance powerhouse, and its IPMI division, AXA Global Healthcare, is renowned for its vast scale and dependable service. It’s an excellent all-round choice for cruisers who want comprehensive cover from a household name.
Key Benefits for Cruise Travellers
- Vast Global Network: AXA boasts one of the world's largest networks of hospitals and clinics. This is crucial for cruisers, as it increases the likelihood of finding a network hospital for direct billing in almost any major port.
- Strong Evacuation & Repatriation: AXA has extensive experience coordinating complex medical evacuations, whether from a ship mid-ocean or a remote port. Their 24/7 emergency team is a critical lifeline.
- Virtual Doctor Service: The 'Virtual Doctor from AXA' service allows you to have a video consultation with a real doctor from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be invaluable for getting initial advice on the ship before deciding if a port diversion is necessary.
- Clear Worldwide Coverage: Policies clearly define the area of cover, typically offering "Worldwide" or "Worldwide excluding USA" options, giving you certainty about your protection.
Service Quality & Price
AXA is known for its efficient claims processing and professional, multilingual support. Their digital tools and app make it easy to find providers and manage your policy on the move. In terms of price, AXA sits in the mid-to-high end of the market, offering a premium product that justifies its cost through reliability and network size.
Insider Adviser Tip: AXA’s plans are well-structured and offer a good balance of benefits. When choosing an area of cover, always double-check your full itinerary, including potential stopovers in US territories like Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, which would require a "Worldwide" plan.
Deep Dive: Bupa Global
Bupa Global is the Rolls-Royce of the IPMI world. They target discerning individuals and families who demand the highest level of service and the most comprehensive cover available. If your budget allows, and you want zero compromises on your health, Bupa Global is often the top choice.
Key Benefits for Cruise Travellers
- Unrivalled Chronic Condition Cover: Subject to underwriting, Bupa Global has a market-leading reputation for its willingness to cover pre-existing and chronic conditions. For travellers with managed health issues, this is a significant advantage.
- Direct Access to Specialists: Many of their plans do not require a GP referral to see a specialist, allowing you to seek expert opinions quickly when in port.
- Global Virtual Care & Second Medical Opinion: Like AXA, they offer virtual consultations. Crucially, they also provide a "Second Medical Opinion" service, allowing you to have your diagnosis and treatment plan reviewed by another world-leading expert.
- Direct Billing as Standard: Bupa Global has excellent relationships with premier hospitals worldwide, meaning they can arrange to settle bills directly, so you are not left with huge out-of-pocket expenses.
Service Quality & Price
Service is where Bupa Global excels. Policyholders often receive a dedicated account manager and can expect a highly personalised, concierge-level experience. This premium service comes at a price; Bupa Global is typically the most expensive provider.
Real-Life Scenario: Imagine you experience unusual cardiac symptoms while sailing the South Pacific. With Bupa Global, your journey could look like this:
- Use the ship's Wi-Fi for a virtual consultation via their app.
- The doctor recommends seeing a cardiologist at the next port in Auckland, New Zealand.
- Your Bupa Global team pre-authorises the consultation and tests with a top private clinic.
- The bill is settled directly. You receive world-class care without paying a penny upfront.
Deep Dive: IMG (International Medical Group)
Based in the United States, IMG brings a different perspective to the market. Their deep understanding of the complex and expensive US healthcare system makes them an incredibly strong contender, especially for cruises that include North America, the Caribbean, or transit the Panama Canal.
Key Benefits for Cruise Travellers
- Plan Flexibility: Unlike the more monolithic plans from AXA or Bupa, IMG offers a range of tiered plans (e.g., Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum). This allows you to tailor your cover level and premium more precisely to your needs and budget.
- Exceptional US Network: If your cruise spends significant time in or near the USA, IMG's network and expertise are a massive asset. They know how to navigate the US system to ensure quality care and manage costs effectively.
- Comprehensive Travel Benefits: Many IMG plans bundle in benefits you might otherwise find in a travel policy, such as cover for lost luggage, trip interruption, and even political evacuation, providing a more integrated protection package.
Service Quality & Price
IMG runs a highly efficient, large-scale operation. While the service may feel less "white glove" than Bupa Global, their processes are robust and their 24/7 support is reliable. Their key advantage is price competitiveness. By offering different plan levels and a strong "Worldwide excl. USA" option, they can provide a very attractive premium for many cruisers.
Common Client Mistake: A client planning a South American cruise chooses an "excl. USA" plan to save money. They forget their cruise concludes in Miami. A medical issue in the final week would be uncovered. Working with a broker like WeCovr ensures your area of cover perfectly matches your travel plans, avoiding catastrophic gaps in protection.
Key Policy Features to Scrutinise for Cruise Travel
When comparing policies, don't just look at the price. The devil is in the detail. Here are the critical features you must get right.
1. Area of Cover: The Most Important Choice
This defines the geographical region where you are covered.
- Worldwide: The most comprehensive option. Essential if your cruise visits or has any potential to be diverted to the USA, Canada, or certain Caribbean islands.
- Worldwide Excluding USA: A popular, more affordable option. Suitable only if you are 100% certain your itinerary has no stops in the US or its territories.
2. Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
These are non-negotiable for any cruiser.
- Medical Evacuation: This covers the cost of transporting you from your point of illness (e.g., the cruise ship) to the nearest centre of medical excellence capable of treating you. This could involve a helicopter airlift from the ship to a shore-side hospital.
- Medical Repatriation: This covers the cost of getting you back to your home country (the UK) to continue treatment or recover, once you are stable enough to travel.
3. Underwriting: Getting Pre-Existing Conditions Covered
This is how an insurer assesses your health history before the policy starts.
- Moratorium Underwriting: The insurer applies a waiting period (usually 24 months) during which any condition you had before the policy started is not covered. This is not recommended for cruisers as it creates uncertainty.
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): This is the gold standard for IPMI. You complete a detailed health questionnaire, declaring all past and present conditions. The insurer then makes a clear decision: they will either cover the condition, cover it with a premium increase (a 'loading'), or exclude it. FMU gives you complete certainty about your cover from day one.
4. Direct Billing Network
This is a network of hospitals that have a direct payment agreement with your insurer. When you receive treatment at a network hospital, the provider bills the insurer directly. This prevents you from having to pay a bill of tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds yourself and then claim it back.
How WeCovr Simplifies Your IPMI Choice
Choosing the right IPMI plan for a world cruise is a complex decision. The brochures all look appealing, but the policy wording can be dense and confusing. This is where a specialist, independent broker adds immense value.
At WeCovr, we provide a human touch to insurance comparison.
- We're Independent Experts: We are not tied to any single insurer. Our goal is to find the best policy for you from across the market, including AXA, Bupa, IMG, Cigna, Allianz, and more.
- No Cost to You: Our service is free for you to use. We receive a commission from the insurer you choose, which is already built into the premium, so you pay the same price as going direct, but with the benefit of our expert guidance.
- We Handle the Hard Work: We help you complete the complex application forms and navigate the Full Medical Underwriting process to ensure you get the clearest possible outcome for any pre-existing conditions.
- Exclusive Client Benefits: When you arrange your private medical insurance through us, you also get complimentary access to our AI-powered nutrition app, CalorieHero, and can receive discounts on other policies like life or home insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I still need travel insurance if I have IPMI?
How is IPMI priced for a couple on a world cruise?
- Age: Premiums increase significantly with age.
- Area of Cover: A 'Worldwide' policy including the USA will be considerably more expensive than one 'Excluding the USA'.
- Deductible/Excess: Choosing a higher deductible (the amount you pay towards a claim) will lower your premium.
- Health Status: If you have pre-existing conditions that the insurer agrees to cover, they may apply a premium 'loading'.
Can I get IPMI if I have pre-existing conditions like diabetes or a heart condition?
What happens if I have a medical emergency on the cruise ship itself?
- Guarantee payment for the onboard medical costs.
- Liaise with the ship's doctor to determine the necessary next steps.
- If required, they will arrange and pay for a medical evacuation at the next port or, in a critical emergency, a helicopter airlift to the nearest appropriate hospital.
Set Sail with Complete Peace of Mind
An extended cruise should be a time of discovery and relaxation, not a source of anxiety about your health. While providers like AXA Global, Bupa Global, and IMG offer world-class protection, the "best" policy is the one that is perfectly tailored to your health, your itinerary, and your budget.
Don't leave your most valuable asset—your health—to chance.
Ready to find the right protection for your voyage of a lifetime? Contact the friendly, FCA-authorised experts at WeCovr today. We'll provide a free, no-obligation comparison of the UK's leading IPMI providers to ensure you sail with complete confidence.












