Despite Canada maintaining the “Avoid All Cruise Ship Travel” advisory, Manulife has moved forward with travel insurance which fully covers cruise travel for all vaccinated Canadians 12 years and older with its COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan up to CAD $5m.
For those under the age of 11 who are not eligible to be vaccinated, Manulife’s Emergency Medical insurance will cover a maximum of up to $1m for COVID-19 and related complications.
Manulife notes its cruise insurance coverage only applies for policies issued on or after 18NOV.
Rocky Racco, CEO of TTI Travel, called the move “truly fantastic news.”
While Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced that the cruise ship ban would be in effect until 01NOV, the Canadian government has yet to update its “Avoid all travel on cruise ships” advisory.
Land Vacation Coverage
In addition, fully vaccinated travellers taking a land vacation will no longer require a separate COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Plan, as they will be covered under any of Manulife’s regular plans that contain a “medical component.”
Manulife notes that as long as the “Avoid Non-essential Travel” advisory is lifted at the time of travel, as the Canadian government did on 22OCT, all of its Emergency Medical plans provide coverage for unforeseen medical emergencies related to COVID-19, including quarantine coverage.
According to Manulife, a “major roadblock” has been lifted for advisors when it comes to available travel insurance coverage for vaccinated clients.
