Help...I think I goofed!

[papa60]

I booked my February cruise last May directly with Carnival. She didn't say anything about travel insurance. Now I understand you have to get the insurance within 14 days of the booking. Is it indeed too late? I have not booked my flight yet. Would that make a difference?
Papa

[Jim C.]

I don't know for sure what the CCL deadline is but I think you are past it. BUT fear not. You are better off getting your own insurance anyway. Go to insuremytrip.com and find a policy there. most only require you to purchase within 14 days of making your full payment. But that varies from policy to policy. You can normally get more/better coverage for much less from a real travel insurance company.

[Dave]

I think what you are referring to is the deadline to buy insurance which covers pre-existing conditions. It can range from 7 to 21 days from the time you made the booking. Depends on the insurer. 14 days is common. After that point you can still buy insurance but it may not cover you if you have to cancel the cruise, etc., because (for example) you had a heart attack and it was known that you had heart disease when you booked the cruise, or within X number of days prior to booking.

I don't buy insurance from the cruise lines. Jim is right - check out your options at insuremytrip. Agents also sell policies from the private insurance companies, which is another reason to consider using an agent for future cruises.

[Sandy]

It can range from 7 to 21 days from the time you made the booking.

Small correction: most outside (non-cruise) insurance will cover you for cancellations due to pre-existing conditions if you purchase the insurance 7-21 days prior to the first deposit you make on your cruise. If you book the cruise on January 3 and put down your deposit on January 10, you have 7-21 days (usually 15 days) from January 10 to buy the insurance, and still have it cover pre-existing conditions.

You can buy insurance after that date, which will cover things like cancellations due to a medical emergency (that was not pre-existing), some coverage for lost luggage, etc.