Performing as a guest entertainer on a cruise ship offers an exciting blend of adventure and opportunity. You can travel the world aboard a beautiful vessel, impress audiences from diverse backgrounds, and expand your network, and hopefully, your loyal fanbase! With plenty of downtime to enjoy trips ashore and ship amenities, this lifestyle can feel like a dream job.
Before signing your next contract, there is one crucial detail to address: your Health insurance coverage! In this blog, we’ll break down the types of coverage cruise lines typically require, explain what’s included, show how it works with real-world examples, outline plan options and costs, walk you through how to purchase coverage, and share key tips to ensure a smooth and successful insurance experience.
What Do Cruise Lines Require?
Always refer to your agreement with your employer; however, most cruise lines generally require you to have international medical coverage that will protect you from accidents and illnesses throughout your contract. Common requirements include:
- A plan limit of at least $1,000,000
- Coverage for emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and Covid-19
What Type of Plan Do You Need?
Since you'll be working and traveling internationally, you'll need a Travel Medical insurance plan. But not just any plan will do. It’s crucial to choose one that covers work-related activities, especially those related to performing.
Many standard Travel Medical plans exclude job-related injuries, which means if something happens on stage or during rehearsal, you might be stuck with the bill. And in many cases, your domestic Health insurance may be difficult to use abroad.
We know insurance can be confusing in general. As a performer, your situation is even more unique. It’s important to have a plan specifically designed for your needs so you’re protected when it matters most. Fortunately, the MHG team has worked with tens of thousands of cruise ship guest entertainers, and we are happy to help you find the right plan to fit your contract.
What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover?
Travel Medical insurance is designed for individuals temporarily traveling outside their home country. It typically covers new accidents and illnesses. You can seek treatment from the ship's doctor or, when in port, at a doctor's office, urgent care center, clinic, or hospital. Keep in mind that Travel Medical insurance is for accidents and illnesses only, it does not cover routine checkups or wellness care.
This type of insurance serves as your safety net if something unexpected happens while you are outside your home country. Let's review a few real-life examples to illustrate how the coverage works in practical scenarios:
Real-Life Examples
- Stage slip leads to stitches: Mid-performance, you slip and sustain a deep cut on your forehead. The ship’s doctor cleans and stitches the wound. Because you chose a $0 deductible, you submit the doctor's report, invoice, and receipt for full reimbursement.
- Food poisoning from dubious shellfish: You resist your instincts and indulge in mussels during a shore trip. Later, you suffer from a severe case of food poisoning. You visit the ship’s doctor, receive antibiotics, and follow rehydration instructions. You’re grateful for the treatment, but since your treatment cost less than your $1,000 deductible, you bear the expense with no reimbursement.
- Jellyfish sting on an excursion: While enjoying some well-earned free time, you go on a scuba diving trip, where a jellyfish sting requires you to visit an onshore urgent care. After treatment and picking up a prescription, your total medical bill comes to $150. You submit your claim. Because you chose a $100 deductible, you pay the first $100, and your insurance reimburses you the remaining $50.
Bottom line, while a $1,000,000 plan limit is typically required, it's worth considering a $0 deductible. That way, if you do get sick or injured, your coverage starts right away without having to pay anything out of pocket first. And in many cases, the cost difference between a $0 deductible and a higher one is minimal.
Single Trip vs Annual Plan: Which One Is Right For You?
Single Trip Travel Medical plans typically offer coverage from 5 days up to 12 months. This is usually a good fit for guest entertainers that have a few contracts a year.
If you're booking multiple gigs throughout the year, an Annual Travel Medical plan might be a better choice. These plans provide coverage in 30, 60, or 90-day blocks per trip. You can take as many trips as you like during the year, as long as each one stays within your selected day limit. Coverage isn’t just limited to when you’re working but can be used for vacations abroad as well.
How Much Do Travel Medical Plans Cost?
Travel Medical insurance is often more affordable than you might think. For example, at the time of this post, a Single Trip plan for a 30-year-old American traveling in the Caribbean for 30 days, with a $1,000,000 coverage limit and a $0 deductible, costs just over $60, plus taxes and fees. An Annual plan covering multiple trips up to 30 days each, with the same coverage and a $250 deductible, was priced at $282 for the year, plus taxes and fees.
The best choice really depends on how often you’ll be traveling abroad. If you don’t plan on booking many contracts during the year, purchasing a Single Trip plan each time may be your better choice. But, if you plan to spend a lot of time during the year performing at sea, an Annual plan could save you time and money.
How Do I Purchase Coverage?
Getting covered is quick and simple. Just enter a few basic details, like your destination, age, citizenship, and country of residence. Then, choose your plan limit and deductible. That’s it, enter your details and you’re ready to go! Booking last-minute? No problem. Next-day coverage is available, so you can secure your plan even if you're short on time. Click here to get started on your quote now!
For guest entertainers starting short-term contracts on cruise ships, having the right Health insurance is a contractual requirement and an essential safety net. At MHG Insurance , we make getting the coverage you need easy so you can focus on what you do best: delivering outstanding performances.
Contact us today if you have questions about the coverage or want to sign up. Before you set sail, ensure your insurance plan meets all essential criteria and covers the inherent risks of your job. A little preparation can go a long way toward ensuring your time onboard is safe, successful, and stress-free.