Spring break is supposed to be fun and relaxing. For Kaylee M. and her family, it was meant to be a chance to slow down and enjoy time together.
Kaylee, a high school counselor, and her husband planned a cruise with their two children, ages 6 and 8. With busy school schedules and frequent large family vacations, this trip was designed to be a special getaway for just the four of them.
Planning Ahead for Peace of Mind
Having cancelled trips in the past due to unexpected events like a death in the family, Kaylee decided to protect their spring break plans by purchasing an IMG iTravelInsured Choice Cruise plan. The plan offered coverage that fit their family’s needs and budget, providing reassurance that if something unexpected happened, they wouldn’t be navigating it alone.
Smooth Sailing to Start
The first few days of the cruise were everything the family had hoped for. The kids spent time at the pool and kids club, the family enjoyed onboard activities together, and they even spent a full day relaxing on the cruise line’s private island.
Then, on the final day at sea, things took a turn.
In the early morning hours, Kaylee’s 8-year-old daughter woke up feeling unwell and was feverish with a sore throat. As soon as the ship’s onboard medical center opened, Kaylee took her in to be evaluated.
After running a few tests, the onboard medical team diagnosed her daughter with Influenza B. She was prescribed Tamiflu and ibuprofen, and because of the diagnosis, she was required to remain quarantined in the family’s cabin for the remainder of the cruise.
Due to close contact, their 6-year-old son was also evaluated and given preventative medication.
What was meant to be a relaxing final day quickly became a stressful experience managing illness in a small cabin while caring for two young children.
The Reality of Onboard Medical Costs
Like most cruise lines, the ship’s medical center required immediate out-of-pocket payment and did not work directly with insurance providers. Tests, medications, and doctor visits added up quickly.
By the end of the hour-long visit, the total cost for onboard medical services exceeded $1,200 for what amounted to routine care services, including flu, COVID, and strep tests, prescribed medication, and doctor visits, which would typically cost far less at home.
“I was not expecting the level of upcharge with it being international, in the middle of an ocean. There’s no U.S. insurance pricing. It was a lot more than we planned, but we made it work,” Kaylee shared later.
Filing the Claim
Once the family returned home and the kids recovered, Kaylee submitted a claim through IMG’s online claims portal. Using her phone, she was able to upload photos of receipts and medical documentation. When her claim was approved, the reimbursement was deposited directly into her bank account.
Why Travel Insurance Made the Difference
Looking back, Kaylee says having travel insurance didn’t just help cover unexpected expenses but also gave her reassurance when it mattered most.
“I was really glad we had the insurance plan,” she said. “I wouldn’t have expected each of those items to be so astronomically more expensive just because we were on a cruise ship. As a mom, I worry enough already. If I can pay for a little less worry, I will do that.”
Her experience reinforced something many travelers don’t realize until after the fact: medical care while traveling, especially on a cruise or internationally, can be significantly more expensive than anticipated.
“We’ll get travel insurance on every trip,” Kaylee added. “Things happen to kids, things happen to adults, and it was just so nice to have that back up plan, to have that little piece of reassurance that whatever happens, we’re going to figure it out, and we have the support to do that.”
The Takeaway
Travel insurance helps ensure that when the unexpected happens, you can focus on what matters most. For Kaylee and her family, travel protection turned a stressful experience into a manageable one and provided Global Peace of Mind even after the trip ended.