Life coach Barbara Clifford, 52, from Alice Springs, broke her wrist and suffered a painful fall while cruising around Australia. She warns fellow Aussies not to forget travel insurance- even when cruising domestically.
Barbara Clifford, pictured on her cruise from Sydney to the Whitsundays in March 2024
With Aussies taking to the seas in record numbers, travel experts are advising cruisegoers to prioritise their health and safety - even while cruising close to home.
However, 1Cover’s COO Natalie Ball, says that many Aussies misunderstand and often neglect the value of cruise cover when taking a domestic cruise.
“There are many misconceptions when it comes to cruise cover, but one of the biggest mistakes Aussies make is not buying travel insurance when cruising Australian waters. Too many people assume they will be covered by Medicare, when in fact, you are not covered by Medicare or your private health fund if you need medical treatment once your ship has left port. Cruisegoers should always take domestic travel insurance, even when sailing close to home.”
In late March, 2024, 52-year-old Barbara Clifford, a life coach and motivational speaker from Alice Springs departed on a 10-day cruise to the Whitsundays, along with her 20-year-old son Brandon. However, within minutes of a port stop in Port Douglas, Barbara suffered a painful fall.
“I’d only just left the marina in Port Douglas. While walking up the slight incline onto the footpath, I tripped over my own feet. Normally I might graze my knee, elbow or shoulder but the entire weight of my body hit my wrist.”
Knowing she’d done some damage, Barbara decided to go to the public hospital in Port Douglas, aware that treatment onboard the cruise ship would likely be exorbitant without travel insurance.
“I got a 45-minute taxi to the nearest hospital in Port Douglas to get an x-ray, but I was terrified I wouldn't make it back on the ship on time before it departed again. I decided, ‘if I’m not in the ED and talking to a doctor by 2.30pm, I will wear the cost of the ship doctor.’”
However, Barbara was able to consult with a doctor at Mossman hospital in Port Douglas where she received x-rays and a wrist splint, before dashing back to port.
“Fortunately, things were timely. But I had a lot of anxiety in that waiting room. I wasn’t sure if ’d be seen in time.”
While Barbara managed to re-join her cruise before it set sail, she opted not to seek treatment at the onboard medical clinic due to her lack of insurance. As a result she was unable to receive necessary medical support, making the rest of her journey both challenging and uncomfortable.
“The injury most definitely hindered my experience. I could no longer dress myself, do my hair, carry my bags. I rapidly went through my supply of Panadol.”
Once home, Barbara discovered that her wrist had healed improperly, and she would require extensive surgical intervention as a result.
“By the time I got home and into the fracture clinic, the splint on my wrist had seriously deteriorated, and my wrist had healed crooked, requiring it to be re-broken, operated on immediately and a titanium plate inserted. I’m still in my ninth week of rehabilitation and recovery and just starting to drive again.”
Natalie Ball, COO of 1Cover Travel Insurance, says that travel insurance is vital, even when taking a domestic cruise.
“While domestic cruise cover is designed to cover you for medical injuries sustained on board, and not on the Australian mainland, you would still have provision to claim if you were injured while on a port stop, such as in Barbara’s case.”
Ball notes that travel insurance would have provided Barbara with the necessary benefits and support she required, given her circumstances.
“Had Barbara had cruise cover, she could have potentially received treatment onboard. And if she was unable to proceed with her cruise due to her accident, she would have been covered to return home to receive the appropriate medical care. No one should have to tough out a painful injury while on holidays, whether on a cruise or overseas. We would always encourage cruisers to take out domestic cover.”
A lesson learned
After her ordeal, Barbara, who specialises in time management training, says she regrets not taking out cover and would no longer cruise without travel insurance.
“I think I’ve done thirteen cruises in nine years. In my own experience, I’ve had two medical emergencies and lost my luggage. The smallest of incidents can have a massive, life changing impact. I’ve seen and experienced enough to know that the probability of something happening is so much greater than you think. I would tell travellers to always get travel insurance and consider the cover you need.”
Ball says that as the domestic cruise season picks up, passengers should take the time to ensure they are covered.
“Cruisegoers should ensure their coverage, regardless of their itinerary. Travel insurance is essential whether you are cruising overseas or in Australian waters.”
1Cover ® is a registered trademark of 1Cover Pty Ltd. 1Cover Pty Ltd ABN 91 105 954 265, is an authorised representative of Coffre-Fort Pty Limited ABN 66 125 358 518, AFS Licence No. 472457. 1Cover is located at Level 1, 332 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Before you buy, please read the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination. Any information contained on this website is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider these having regard to the Product Disclosure Statement (‘PDS’). Before you purchase, please note in particular, the eligibility criteria, travel warnings in place and limitations to claim under multiple policy sections.
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