I’ve been in the travel insurance business for over 26 years, and still—every once in a while—I see something that reminds me just how real this work is.
A few months back, I was on a cruise with my wife. Just one of those slow, sun-soaked afternoons at sea—book in hand, coffee nearby, the kind of moment I wish I could bottle up. Then the ship came to a stop. Now, if you’ve ever been on a cruise, you know ships don’t just stop without a reason. A hush settled over the deck as folks looked up. Then we heard it: the low, steady thump of helicopter blades in the distance.
It was surreal. We all gathered to watch—passengers leaning over the rails, phones out, heads craned toward the sky. Sure enough, a medevac helicopter was approaching. I did what any insurance guy would do—I grabbed my phone and filmed what I could, then sent the video straight back to our team at the office. Because this… this is exactly why we do what we do.
We sell the one thing we sincerely hope you never have to use on your trip. But when you need it… nothing else matters.
What struck me later—after the dust had settled—was how fortunate we were that the U.S. Coast Guard responded. But it got me thinking: what if we’d already crossed into international waters? In many parts of the world, there is no equivalent emergency response waiting to deploy at a moment’s notice. In those cases, evacuations fall to private services, and the cost can be staggering—$15,000, sometimes over $30,000, just to get someone off the ship. That’s not just a costly inconvenience—it’s a life-altering financial hit. Moments like that remind you just how vulnerable you really are out there—and how critical it is to have a plan for the "what ifs."
Later that night, at a cocktail hour with the captain (yes, that was a fun little perk!), I asked him about the ordeal. Turns out, these evacuations happen more often than you’d think—at least 2 to 3 times a month. He assured me the guest wasn’t in critical condition, thank God, but they did need immediate care that the ship just couldn’t provide.
I pray that passenger recovered quickly. I really do. And I thank God for the incredible crew, the flight team, and the coordination that goes into making these rescues happen so smoothly. But it was a stark reminder to me—and hopefully to you—that peace of mind isn’t just a phrase. It’s a lifeline.
So if you're planning a trip—especially at sea—do the wise thing. Do it now, before it’s over.
Stay safe, travel well,
—Craig