Australia’s insatiable appetite for cruise holidays again leaves us with a stark lesson to take out of 2025 – medical incidents at sea can carry a hefty price tag.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has revealed its most expensive cruise-related claims for this year, highlighting the importance of travel insurance and specialised cruise cover for travellers before hitting the high seas or venturing overseas at all.

From severe respiratory infections to sudden medical emergencies, SCTI paid out thousands of dollars per incident, with several claims surpassing $10,000. The highest payout – $16,766 – was made after an Australian passenger contracted Influenza A on a cruise to Vanuatu. The illness deteriorated into severe pneumonia, forcing the traveller into the ship’s medical facility before being transferred to intensive care upon arrival in Brisbane.

Other major claims for 2025 included:

• $10,830 for a passenger on a New Zealand cruise who fainted twice and was later diagnosed with internal bleeding requiring urgent surgery in Tauranga.
• $10,200 after a traveller in Norway slipped during an onshore excursion and fractured their patella, cutting their holiday short to avoid further complications.
• $7,645 for a traveller in Croatia who contracted pneumonia, was confined to their cabin for the entire eight-day cruise and then required extra accommodation after disembarking due to being too ill to fly home.
• $7,027 for a Scandinavian cruise passenger who developed pneumonia requiring extensive treatment both on board and at a hospital in Sweden.

Additional claims ranging from $2,900 to over $6,600 covered seizures, infections requiring IV antibiotics, bronchitis and pneumonia diagnoses, and emergency transfers to hospitals in Australia and some far-flung destinations overseas including Gibraltar, Papua New Guinea, and Portugal.

Travel insurance an essential item to pack

Southern Cross Travel Insurance Chief Customer Officer, Jess Strange, said the costs should serve as a warning for travellers who underestimate the cost of medical treatment at sea.

“We’ve seen a recent claim for prescription medications, like oral and IV antibiotics, and claims for medical tests to diagnose and treat a respiratory infection while on board come to over $7,000,” Strange said.

“It’s definitely worth considering including the cruise add-on to your policy as it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.”

With Australians among the world’s most enthusiastic cruise passengers, Strange emphasised that while cruising offers an idyllic way to explore the globe, medical incidents can become complex, and costly, if they happen after you step onboard.

In fact, as cruise ships are registered in foreign countries, it’s important to know that as soon as you step onboard a ship, including in Australia, Medicare and private health insurance coverage no longer applies, even if the ship is still tied up at the dock.

“Different cruise ship companies will offer different levels of onboard care,” Strange added.

“Some may dock in locations where access to high-quality medical care is not always possible, in which case transporting the customer to the nearest centre of medical excellence may involve an air ambulance, which can be very expensive.”

SCTI also urged travellers to declare any pre-existing medical conditions to ensure they are fully covered.

“Even if you have cruise cover but something happens due to a pre-existing condition, you won’t be covered if you didn’t declare it,” Strange noted. “If you are unsure about what this may mean, just call and have a chat. We’re ready to help.”

As cruise bookings continue to surge, SCTI’s 2025 claims highlight a simple truth: a dream holiday on the water can quickly turn turbulent without the right protection.