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Holland America Line Travel Insurance - 2024 Review

Holland America Line Travel Insurance

Holland America Line Travel Insurance
7
Insurance Partner
8/10
Coverage Options
7/10
Price
7/10

Strengths

  • Strong Insurance Partner
  • Available at Check Out

Weaknesses

  • Poor Medical Insurance
  • Weak Medical Evacuation

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For 147 years, Holland America Line has been a recognized leader in cruising. With more than 500 sailings a year and taking in all seven continents, their cruises include both popular and less-traveled ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mexico, South America, the Panama Canal, Australia, New Zealand and Asia — as well as unique voyages to the Amazon, Antarctica and their extended Grand Voyages.

In our Holland America Line Travel Insurance review, we highlight the costs of its two Cancellation Protection Plans and what we believe are the limited benefits that are provided by those plans.

In order to best demonstrate the plans offered by Holland America versus other travel insurance plans available from the wider travel insurance marketplace, we need to set sail with Holland America. So sit back, relax and enjoy as we hoist the main-sail, weight anchor and head to the lido deck for the sail-away party.

Our Holland America Line Cruise

Our sample couple are aged 55- and 60-year-old, and we have chosen for them a Holland America 7-day Western Caribbean cruise.

Cruise Price

The total fare for 2 travelers, including taxes and fees, is $2,628. Later, we’ll use this trip cost to compare alternative travel insurance plans.

Holland Cabin

Holland America Line Cancellation Policy

Holland America Line offers two cancellation plans: Standard and Platinum. The Standard Cancellation Protection Plan is just that: standard cancellation protection with no extra coverage, other than up to $500 for Baggage/Personal Effects loss while the traveler’s bags are in the custody of Holland America Line.

The Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan, on the other hand, includes limited coverage for Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation, Trip Interruption, and Baggage Coverage, which we will discuss later in our review.

Holland America Line’s cancellation coverage is reasonably generous when compared with other cruise line insurance plans. However, this is limited to certain destinations.

This information comes directly from Holland America’s website:

The following applies to cruises to Caribbean; Panama Canal; Mexico; Canada & New England; Pacific Coastal; Pacific Northwest; Alaska and Alaska Land+Sea Journeys; Europe (except Prinsendam Europe, 30+ day Transatlantic and segments of 30+ day Transatlantic) and 27-day or less Hawaii sailings

Holland Cancellation

For other destinations, the cancellation fees begin sooner and reimbursements are less. On the positive side, Holland America Line is one of the few cruise lines that provides a refund in cash. Many cruise lines only offer a future cruise credit but keep your money if you cancel. Under those circumstances, this is a positive feature of Holland America Line. If you had an issue onboard, you don't know if and when you will be able to cruise again, and a future cruise credit may sound fine, but as the months move on, you run the risk of losing your entire holiday investment. Cash is always king!

Cruise lines, like airlines, moved in the direction of non-refundable deposits, so at minimum you will lose your deposit for a cancellation.

What is Holland America Line’s Cancellation Protection Plan?

When you book your Holland America Line cruise, you will be invited to buy Holland America Line insurance plans: either the Holland America Line Cancellation Protection Plan Standard or Platinum.

Holland America Line Insurance

Upon inspection, we discover the Standard Cancellation Protection Plan is not a travel insurance policy. This is not new in the cruise market. any of the plans offered by cruise lines are infact not insurance policies.

Instead, it is an optional upgrade to Holland America Line’s Standard Cancellation Protection Plan and is administered by Holland America Line.

Holland America Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan

On the other hand, the Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan is an exclusive insurance policy written for and sold by Holland America Line, underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. This is a highly reputable insurer.

Holland America Standard Cancellation Protection Plan

Holland Protection Plan

Adding the Standard Holland America Line Cancel Protection Plan increases the trip cost to $2,866. Holland America Line charges each traveler  $119 for the Standard Cancellation Protection Plan

Holland America Insurance Cost

This plan costs our travelers $238 to extend the cancellation out to 24 hours prior to departure for an 80% refund. That means they paid a $238 fee and will lose at least 20% of the cruise fare cost: $573.20.

Still, it lacks full trip coverage. While this plan provides baggage loss/damage protection up to $500 (while bags are in the custody of Holland America Line), it has no medical expense insurance or emergency medical evacuation benefits.

If you are searching for Holland America Platinum Travel Insurance, the Standard Cancellation Protection Plan is not an insurance policy. It’s simply an improved partial refund due to cancellation than without the plan.

Holland America Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan

Holland Protection Plan Summary

Adding the Holland America Line Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan charges $149 per person for the trip insurance. This brings the total trip cost to $2,926.

What does the Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan cover for $298?

This plan is made up of two parts: First is the upgraded Cancellation policy sponsored by Holland America Line and second is the actual insurance policy with Trip Interruption, Baggage coverage, and medical benefits.

Holland America Line - Standard vs Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan

Holland Platinum vs Standard

Holland America Standard Cancellation Protection Plan

The Standard Plan offers no medical coverage. It’s just an expensive, upgraded cancellation policy.

Holland America Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan

Side by side, the Platinum Plan has better coverage than  the Standard Plan , but, the traveler still risks incomplete coverage and unfavorable value buying the Platinum Plan.

Holland America Platinum Plan has low levels of Emergency Medical Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation, which may be acceptable if traveling domestically, but not internationally.

Neither plan covers privately booked travel arrangements, such as airfare, accommodations, rental cars, or other tours and excursions one may take while on their trip.

Under the Platinum Plan, cancellation and interruption coverage only apply to products and services sold by Holland America Line.

On the contrary, every policy at Cruise Insurance 101 provides trip coverage for all prepaid and non-refundable costs, not just the cruise cost.

These may include airfare, rail tickets, excursions and tours, event tickets, hotel rooms, long term parking, medical device or mobility rentals and port/airport transfers. If you buy the Holland America plan and want to cover these aditonal items, you will need to buy a stand-alone travel insurance plan. So why not simply buy one plan that covers your entire vacation expense, providing more coverage at a lower price. That would be our recommendation.

In our opinion, Holland America Line’s Travel Insurance will leave you completely unprotected in the time spent traveling to and from the cruise or afterward – which is a critical omission of coverage.

What Medical Insurance Benefits Do I Need on a Cruise?

No one goes on a trip expecting massive medical bills or for a medical evacuation.

Travel Medical Insurance covers your emergency doctor and hospital bills while outside the US. Emergency Medical Evacuation gets you to the best place to treat your condition, and later brings you back home should you require further treatment.

Medical Insurance Overseas

At Cruise Insurance 101, we believe the only time it’s appropriate to consider lower medical protection overseas is when a traveler has a health insurance that pays full benefits outside the US. Unfortunately, few Americans own health insurance policies with international coverage.

Travel Medical Insurance is only effective when it can mitigate a worst-case scenario. We have seen worst-case scenarios, so we always recommend a traveler carry at minimum $100,000 of Travel Medical Insurance protection when outside the US.

That may seem like a lot, but unexpected traumatic injury or illness often result in significant medical expense. International private hospitals can charge up to $3,000-$4,000 per day.

A policy with only $10,000 in medical coverage won’t last long before the hospital bills you personally. A minimum medical benefit of $100,000 will buy you time and treatment.

Where to Seek Medical Treatment Overseas

Moreover, many Americans believe overseas public health services are free and open to treat a sick or injured American traveler. On the contrary, public health services are not open to foreign visitors, so Americans must seek treatment at costlier private health clinics and hospitals.

As a result, you will pay full price to use private health facilities. Again, the US State Department does not provide financial support to US residents needing overseas health care.

Therefore, proper Travel Medical Insurance is absolutely necessary.

What Medical Evacuation Benefits Do I Need When Cruising?

It’s not unusual for US tourists to require a Medical Evacuation.

If you experience a serious accident or illness on your trip and the local hospital is not equipped to treat you, you need evacuation to the appropriate facility.

Transport may be as simple as transfer to a nearby hospital or as complicated as a private jet outfitted with medical equipment accompanied by a nursing team to another country, such as back home to the US.

Without Medical Evacuation coverage, you’d be left to recover alone for weeks or months in a foreign country. Patients recover faster when supported by nearby family and friends. Medical Evacuation provides this.

Health Insurance Won’t Help You

Don't count on your health insurance to send a plane to pick you up and bring you home.

Even if you have good health insurance in the US, it does not include medical evacuation. If you break a leg in Canada, have a stroke in the Bahamas, or get a disabling virus in Belize, you will be stuck there until you are well enough to take a commercial flight home.

Recommended Medical Levels

Specifically, travelers who cruise within 3-4 hours of the United States border should carry a minimum $250,000 of Medical Evacuation benefits.

Travelers venturing further from home need a minimum $500,000 of Medical Evacuation coverage – the cost of a long-range private jet staffed with a medical evacuation team.

Holland America Trip Medical Insurance Benefits Are Dangerously Low

Next, we highlight the Holland America Line Cruise Insurance Medical Insurance, and the Emergency Evacuation levels of coverage.

In the event of serious illness or accident, both Cancellation Protection Plans have very low levels of medical insurance that will leave a traveler exposed to catastrophic financial risk. Later in this article, we go into more detail.

Holland America Line offers low Medical Insurance and Emergency Evacuation benefits despite the fact their primary clientele are seniors.

Travel Medical Insurance

Holland Travel Medical

Medical Evacuation Insurance

Holland Evac

Emergency Medical Evacuation is provided, but again, it’s too low to be reliable in a true emergency.

Seniors who rely on Holland America Line’s Cruise Insurance for medical care and evacuation face increased financial risk. The Platinum Cancellation Plan only provides a meager $10,000 medical coverage and Medicare is not accepted outside of the United States.

Although Holland America’s Platinum Travel Insurance has helpful cancellation, it is not a strong or dependable insurance plan. Fortunately, there are many more affordable trip insurance options with better coverage throughout the wider travel insurance market.

Basic Cancellation Travel Protection

Every Travel Insurance policy includes some form of basic Trip Cancellation protection. Typically, trip insurance pays a 100% cash refund for reasons that include:

  • Accident, illness, or death of you, a traveling partner, business partner, or family member
  • Jury duty
  • Legal appearance
  • Traffic accident en route to airport
  • Death or hospitalization of your host at your travel destination
  • Weather
  • Bankruptcy of your travel provider

The Holland America Line Cancellation Protection Plan has pretty good cancellation benefits.

Both the Standard and Platinum Cancellation Protection Plans have a “Cancel For Any Reason” option. However, this is the exception, not the rule, in the realm of cruise cancellation.

Most cruise lines that do offer Cancel For Any Reason pay cruise credits instead of a cash refund.

In fact, Holland America Line itself takes financial responsibility to pay the Cancel For Any Reason benefit under both protection plans, by issuing the traveler a cash refund for up to 80% of the cruise cost with the Standard Plan, and up to 90% of the cruise cost with the Platinum Plan.

The following Cancel For Any Reason Waiver is provided by Holland America and is not an insurance benefit. Please see the dates set forth in the Cancellation Policy in the applicable Holland America Line brochure.

The Cancellation Policy further details the requirements for a payout:

Trip cancellation protection is effective for any reason up to 24 hours prior to scheduled cruise or cruise tour departure under the Standard and Platinum Plans. The Platinum Plan additionally offers cancellation protection for covered reasons within the 24 hours prior to departure. All other benefits of the Platinum Plan are effective upon departure.

Holland America Line’s Covered Reasons for Cancellation

In the final 24-hour window, Holland America’s Cruise Cancellation Plan restricts cancellation to a few listed reasons:

  • your sickness, accidental injury or death, that results in medically imposed restrictions as certified by a physician at the time of loss preventing your continued participation in the trip
  • sickness, accidental injury or death of a family member or traveling companion booked to travel with you that results in medically imposed restrictions as certified by a physician preventing that person’s continued participation in the trip
  • sickness, accidental injury or death of a non-traveling family member
  • you or a traveling companion being hijacked, quarantined, required to serve on a jury, subpoenaed; having your principal place of residence made uninhabitable by fire, flood, volcano, earthquake, hurricane or other natural disaster
  • you or a traveling companion being directly involved in a traffic accident, substantiated by a police report, while en route to departure
  • a terrorist attack (or attacks) occurs in your departure city or in a city that is still a scheduled destination for your trip, provided: the terrorist attack (or attacks) occurs within thirty (30) days of the scheduled departure date for your trip or during your trip.

By comparison, Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (explained below) lists 33 covered cancellation reasons, including the points above.

Single Supplement

Most cruise fares are based on double occupancy of the room. In the event one of the cruisers cancels, they normally charge the roommate a supplement fee or even the remaining fare, if traveling alone.

If your companion cancels their cruise for a covered reason, and you still want to go without them, many travel insurance policies cover the added cost of the person who cancelled:

Benefits will be paid, up to the Maximum Benefit Amount, for the additional cost incurred as a result of a change in the per person occupancy rate for Prepaid Travel Arrangements if a Traveling Companion’s or Family Member’s Trip is canceled for a covered reason and You do not cancel Your Trip.

This is a benefit Cruise Insurance 101 recommends so that travelers can enjoy their cruise vacation even if their traveling companion cannot.

Work Cancellation Travel Protection

In the event a traveler previously received approval for vacation, but the employer later rescinds it, Cancel For Work Reason covers cancellation for a 100% refund.

Although Holland America’s Cancel Protection Plan does not specifically allow Cancel for Work Reason, it falls under Cancel For Any Reason.

By comparison, the Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector plan allows for Cancel For Work Reason if a covered traveler is required to work during the trip. In fact, it pays a 100% cash refund to cancel for this reason. At Best, Holland America Line would refund 90% cash.

Worth nothing, a traveler who gets laid off from work through no fault of their own may be covered under ‘covered cancellation’ with many travel insurance policies.

Trip Interruption Travel Protection Reasons

If you’re already on your trip and a family member back home dies or is unexpectedly ill or injured, you may interrupt your trip and return early. This is a covered cancellation reason on all trip insurance policies available through Cruise Insurance 101.

Although Holland America Line’s Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan is a “Cancel For Any Reason” policy, that does not mean it includes “Interruption For Any Reason.” On the contrary, it lists only a few reasons it will cover a trip interruption:

  • Your Sickness, Accidental Injury or death, that results in medically imposed restrictions as certified by a Physician at the time of Loss preventing Your continued participation in the Trip
  • Sickness, Accidental Injury or death of a Family Member or Traveling Companion booked to travel with You that results in medically imposed restrictions as certified by a Physician preventing that person’s continued participation in the Trip
  • Sickness, Accidental Injury or death of a non-traveling Family Member
  • You or a Traveling Companion being hijacked, Quarantined, required to serve on a jury, subpoenaed; having Your principal place of residence made Uninhabitable by fire, flood, volcano, earthquake, hurricane or other natural disaster
  • You or a Traveling Companion being directly involved in a traffic accident, substantiated by a police report, while en route to departure
  • A Terrorist Attack (or Attacks) occurs in Your departure city or in a city that is still a scheduled destination for Your Trip, provided: the Terrorist Attack (or Attacks) occurs within thirty (30) days of the Scheduled Departure Date for Your Trip or during Your Trip.

This is a very basic list that all travel insurance policies should cover for Trip Interruption.

Moreover, Holland America Line only refunds Trip Interruptions for travel arrangements booked through them. Anything you booked privately is not covered for cancellation or interruption.

What Alternatives Can I Find for Cruise Travel Insurance?

Each year, Americans spend over $3 billion on travel insurance. Since the United States is home to one of the largest travel insurance markets in the world, travelers can easily compare policies to find the best fit for their cruise.

To help you shop for the best value, Cruise Insurance 101 allows the traveler to quickly quote and compare travel insurance plans from some of the top travel insurers in the country.

Size Up Policies at a Glance with Cruise Insurance 101

First, we work with the most reputable travel insurance carriers in the US. Each of our carriers is rated ‘A’ or ‘A+’ by A.M. Best and offer highly respected customer service. For more information on AM Best, visit their website.  

Second, our carriers offer a range of travel insurance plans with different levels of benefits. A savvy consumer can compare a dozen different travel insurance plans at the same time.

Third, you are assured to find the best value on cruise insurance. We guarantee you will not find the same travel insurance policy at a lower price.

Holland America Line Cruise Insurance vs Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector Travel Insurance Plan

Earlier we noted that the Holland America Line Standard Cancellation Protection Plan was $238 for both travelers. Here we compare this to a more comprehensive travel insurance policy priced at $196 for both travelers.

For our senior cruise couple, the cruise fare with fees and taxes is $2,628 for both travelers.

The Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector standard cancellation plan would only cost our two travelers $196 versus the $238 they would pay for the Holland America Line Standard Cancellation Protection Plan.

WTP

For the $196, these two travelers would be covered for a 100% refund of their total trip cost of $2,628 under 33 covered cancellation scenarios. Additionally, they would have ample coverage for medical insurance and medical evacuation coverage, which is not included in the Holland America Line Standard Cancellation Protection Plan.

For our two travelers to have Cancel For Any Reason coverage included, it would cost $282.24, which is still about $15 less than the $298 cost of the Holland America Line Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan and has more complete coverage.

WTP CFAR

Features of Travel Insured International Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%)

Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%) is one of the most popular plans at Cruise Insurance 101, due to its Cancel For Any Reason feature and high level of Medical Evacuation ($1,000,000).

Time Sensitive Benefits

The easiest way to compare and contrast different plans is to use a side-by-side comparison table. Here we can see the benefits and cost of the Cancellation Protection Plan offered by Holland America Line against other available plans:

Benefit

Standard Cancellation Protection Plan

Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan

Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%)

Trip Cancellation

80% of total cruise vacation cost

90% of total cruise vacation cost

100% of total trip cost

Trip Interruption

No

150% of the total cruise vacation cost

150% of total trip cost

Medical Insurance

No

$10,000

$100,000

Medical Evacuation

No

$50,000

$1,000,000

Baggage Loss/Damage

$500 (only while in the custody of Holland America Line)

$1000

$1000 per traveler

Baggage Delay

No

$500

$500

Travel Delay

(Incl quarantine)

No

$500

$1500 per traveler($200/day)

Missed Connection

No

No

$500 per traveler

Cover Pre-existing Medical Conditions

N/A

Yes

Yes, if purchased within 21 days of deposit

Cancel For Work Reason

No

No

100% of trip cost

Interrupt For Any Reason

No

No

Yes, 72 hours after departure 75% of total trip cost

Cancel For Any Reason

 

Yes, up to 24 hours prior to departure

Yes, anytime prior to departure

Yes, up to 48 hours prior to departure

75% of trip cost

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

No

No

$10,000

Cost of Policy

$238

(9.1% of trip cost)

$298

(11% of trip cost)

$282.24

(10.7% of trip cost)

Please note: Holland America Line states that the cost of their Cancellation Protection Plans start at $79, but is ultimately based on the total cruise cost. We used the cost of both Cancellation Protection Plans applicable to the 7-day Western Caribbean cruise package we quoted to determine the percentage shown above.

Here, our senior cruising couple can protect themselves with a top level, fully featured travel insurance plan that costs about $15 less than Holland America Line’s Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan. While $15 isn’t a huge cost saver, these travelers will still save some money and receive a far more generous amount of protection under the Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%) travel insurance plan.

Recap: Holland America Line Cancellation Protection Plan Standard and Platinum

  • Holland America Line Cancel Protection Plan Standard - not travel insurance
    • Partial refund for cancellation costs paid to Holland America Line (cruise fare, excursions, air, land tour, etc)
    • High cost for the value of the plan
  • Holland America Line Cancel Protection Plan Platinum - very limited benefits
    • Partial refund for cancellation costs paid to Holland America Line (cruise fare, excursions, air, land tour, etc)
    • Low medical and evacuation coverage
    • Narrow scope of insurance benefits
    • High cost for the value of the plan
  • Cruise Insurance 101 offers comprehensive travel insurance policies
    • Robust medical coverage to give you peace of mind
    • Covers all prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, regardless of vendor
    • Comprehensive policy benefits
    • One policy can cover everyone on the trip (if they reside in the same state), rather than just 1 person
    • Best value for your money

Strengths

  • Platinum plan underwritten by Nationwide
  • Standard plan available to everyone, regardless of country or state of residence
  • Rates not based on age

Weaknesses

  • Plan is charged per person, instead of as a group
  • Only covers the Holland America Line travel arrangements, no arrangements made by the traveler or outside travel provider
  • Very weak medical
  • Standard plan has virtually no benefits for the cost

Summary/Overview

Before you buy Holland America Line Travel Insurance, take a moment to familiarize yourself with what it covers and review all of your options.

Overall, both levels of Holland America Line Travel Insurance have a generous but expensive cancellation plan. However, Holland America Line’s coverage is completely inadequate in the event of a serious illness or accident. The Medical Evacuation limits are dubious in an emergency.

For Holland America Line guests, there are significantly better cruise travel insurance and cancellation plans available in the wider travel insurance market.

Lastly, we presented alternative travel insurance options available for US customers. These plans offer significantly higher benefits at a lower price.

Conclusion

Holland America Line’s Cancellation Protection Plan performs solely for cancellation benefits, rather than a travel insurance policy. In fact, Holland America Line seems to play down the insurance aspect of it.

While the Cancel For Any Reason offer is rather generous, most people cancel due to the sickness, injury or death of a covered traveler or a family member. As a result, Cancel For Any Reason is good marketing but expensive for the coverage it provides.

In fact, Holland America Line Travel Insurance - Cancel For Any Reason Cancellation Protection Plan distracts from the major flaws of both Cancellation Protection Plans: deficient medical benefits.

Cruise Insurance 101 believes travelers vacationing with Holland America Line are best served when they have ample medical insurance in case of emergency during their trip, not just cancellation protection. As such, we do not recommend either of the Cancellation Protection Plans for cruise travelers. We rate the Holland America Line coverage a 7 out of 10.

General recommendations

When traveling outside of the United States, we recommend having at least $100,000 in Travel Medical Insurance, enough to protect a traveler for an unexpected medical event.

We also recommend an Emergency Medical Evacuation limit of at least $250,000 to get you to treatment quickly, and then back home, after a devastating medical event.

Furthermore, if you purchase your trip insurance policy within 10-21 days of your initial trip payment, a pre-existing condition waiver can be included to save you headache down the road.

Have questions? Chat with us online, send us an email at agent@cruiseinsurance101.com or alternatively call us at +1(786) 751-2984. We would love to hear from you.

Safe Travels

This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.

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