Clear information, comprehensive cover and an easy purchasing process.
Arctic travel insurance
Protect your polar journey with our Arctic travel insurance built for cruises and expeditions. Quick, simple, reliable.
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Helicopter
Approved evacuation
High limits
Emergency medical cover
24/7
Emergency assistance
Is this cover right for my Arctic cruise?
Yes. Rise & Shield cover is suitable if you’re joining an organised Arctic cruise or guided expedition with a recognised operator. Your ship must also have a qualified medical doctor and a small medical treatment room onboard.
For eligible Arctic cruises and their included guided activities, add Adventure Plus and check that it appears in your policy summary before buying.
Zodiac shore landings
Sea kayaking
Snowshoeing
Guided shore hikes
Polar plunge
One-night camping
These are examples of activities that may be covered when included as part of an organised Arctic cruise or guided tour. Adventure Plus must be selected. Activities must follow the operator's safety requirements. Terms, limits, conditions, exclusions and excesses apply.
What can our polar cruise travel insurance cover?
Depending on your chosen plan, Rise & Shield can provide cover for some of the most important risks surrounding polar cruises.
What's not included in this policy?
For clarity, here's what's not covered by our Adventure Plus add-on for Arctic cruises:
- Independent or unorganised travel or expeditions outside of those managed by recognised cruise operators.
- Evacuation that has not been pre-approved by our 24-hour Emergency Assistance Centre.
- Extreme sports or activities not listed in your policy wording.
- Mountaineering, ice climbing, ski touring, ski mountaineering, cross-country ski expeditions, heli-skiing, heli-boarding and heli-hiking.
- Long overland expeditions, snowmobiling or other motorised land vehicles.
- Scuba diving, submarine or submersible rides.
- Competitive races, record attempts, extreme endurance events.
- Pre-existing medical conditions.
Rise & Shield is trusted by reputable tour operators and adventure companies
Why choose Rise & Shield for Arctic travel insurance?
An Arctic cruise takes you far from conventional medical facilities, where weather, distance and emergency evacuation can make even a straightforward problem much more complicated.
Rise & Shield specialises in insurance for adventurous travel, with cover designed for organised polar cruises and expeditions, 24/7 emergency assistance, trusted relationships across the adventure travel industry, and the reassurance of an FCA-regulated insurance provider whose programme is reinsured at Lloyd’s of London.
Does Rise & Shield cover Arctic cruises?
Yes. Eligible organised Arctic cruises and guided polar tours can be covered when you select Adventure Plus and meet the applicable policy conditions.
Cover can include emergency medical expenses, approved evacuation and repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, baggage and eligible travel disruption.
Which travel insurance do I need for an Arctic cruise?
Adventure Plus is required for eligible Arctic cruise cover. Make sure it appears in your policy summary before travelling.
For expensive polar trips, also check that the cancellation limit on your chosen Essentials, Classic or Elite plan is high enough for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.
Tip: Compare the benefit limits of each plan against the value and requirements of your complete Arctic journey before buying.
Does my Arctic expedition ship need a doctor?
Yes. For Arctic cruise cover to apply, your ship must have a qualified medical doctor and a small medical treatment room onboard.
This is an important policy condition, so check with your cruise operator if you are unsure about the medical facilities provided by your vessel.
Is helicopter evacuation covered in the Arctic?
Eligible helicopter evacuation may be covered when it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.
For Arctic cruises, helicopter evacuation can be arranged from Longyearbyen, Tromsø, Reykjavík or Kangerlussuaq, subject to weather, logistics and operational availability.
Important: The appropriate evacuation arrangements are determined by the Emergency Assistance Centre. A separate helicopter evacuation excess applies.
What activities can be covered on an Arctic cruise?
Adventure Plus can cover eligible activities included as part of your organised Arctic cruise or guided tour.
Examples include kayaking, snowshoeing, snorkelling, paddle boarding and a one-night camping experience, subject to the relevant conditions.
Are independent Arctic expeditions and extreme activities covered?
Arctic cruise cover is intended for organised cruises and guided tours rather than unsupported, exploratory or specialist polar expeditions.
Activities such as mountaineering or ice climbing, ski expeditions, heli-skiing, snowmobiling, scuba or ice diving, submarine or submersible rides, long overland expeditions and extreme endurance events are excluded from the Arctic cruise cover.
What if bad weather delays my Arctic trip?
Eligible travel-delay benefits may apply when adverse weather delays or cancels qualifying booked transport for the minimum period stated in your policy.
Missed-departure and other travel-disruption benefits may also apply in certain circumstances. However, a change to your cruise itinerary or a cancelled shore landing does not automatically create a valid insurance claim.
How do I get a quote for Arctic cruise insurance?
Getting a free quote with Rise & Shield is easy. Follow these simple steps to secure your trip:
1. Start your quote
- Go to go.riseandshield.com
- On the first screen, under “What type of trip are you planning?”, select: Single Trip (for one specific polar cruise), Then click Next.
2. Add your trip details
On the Destination step: Country of residency: Choose your usual country of residence from the drop-down (e.g. United Kingdom).
Where are you going?
Choose the region that matches your itinerary, for example:
- Europe – for Arctic cruises starting/ending in Europe only.
- Worldwide (including North America) – if your trip involves the US/Canada or complex flight routes.
- Worldwide (excluding North America) – if you’re flying via, say, South America without the US/Canada.
The key is: pick the region that covers every country you’ll set foot in on the way to and from your polar cruise.
When are you going?
Select your start date as the day you leave home, not just the day the ship sails.
Select your end date as the day you arrive back home.
This makes sure flights, hotel nights and delays around the cruise are all covered.
How many people are travelling?
- Choose the number of adults and children.
- Enter each traveller’s date of birth when prompted.
Click Next to move on.
3. Choose your base cover (Essentials / Classic / Elite)
On the Cover step you’ll see three plans side-by-side:
- Essentials – solid basics.
- Classic – higher benefits (often a sweet spot for big-ticket trips like polar cruises).
- Elite – the highest limits.
Your polar cruise cover does not depend on which of these you pick; it depends on adding Adventure Plus in the next step.
However, because polar cruises are expensive and remote, most people will want Plus or Elite for higher medical, evacuation and cancellation limits.
Click the card for the level you want (it will highlight).
Hit Next.
4. Add the Polar Cruise cover (Adventure Plus add-on)
This is the important bit.
On the Extras step, you’ll see several tiles:
- Adventure – automatically included for lots of standard adventure activities.
- Adventure Plus – covers higher-risk adventures such as polar cruising, trekking to higher altitudes, deeper scuba, etc.
- Adventure Extreme, Winter Sports, High Value Items, etc.
To get polar cruise cover:
- Find the Adventure Plus tile.
- Click the ADD button on that tile.
- Watch the policy summary box on the right:
The price will update. You should see Adventure Plus listed under your extras/cover.
Remember: No Adventure Plus = no polar cruise cover, even if everything else looks fine.
If you don’t need anything else, leave Adventure Extreme, Winter Sports, High Value Items and other extras switched off.
Click Next once Adventure Plus is clearly added.
5. Enter traveller, contact and address details
On the Checkout step:
Traveller details
- Enter your first name and surname exactly as they appear on your passport.
- Confirm your date of birth (auto-filled from earlier).
- Select your nationality from the drop-down.
Contact information
- Add an email address – this is where your policy documents are sent.
- Add a mobile number, including the country code if needed.
Address details
- Fill in your home address, town/city, postcode and confirm your country.
6. Payment & final checks
At the bottom of the Checkout page:
- Enter your card details securely.
- Tick the checkboxes to confirm.
- When you’re ready, click Confirm Purchase to complete the policy.
That’s the moment the policy is actually bought, so double-check:
- Dates are correct from leaving home to returning home.
- The destination region matches your full route.
- Adventure Plus is still listed in your policy summary.
7. After you’ve bought the policy
Check your email for:
- Policy schedule (shows your dates, regions, add-ons like Adventure Plus, and benefit limits).
- Full policy wording.
And then...
- Save a copy to your phone/tablet and/or print a copy to keep with your travel documents.
- Make a note of the emergency assistance number so you have it handy on the ship.
FAQs about travel insurance for the Arctic
Does travel insurance cover the Arctic?
Yes, provided your policy specifically includes Arctic or polar cruising. Rise & Shield can cover eligible organised Arctic cruises and guided tours when Adventure Plus is selected and the applicable polar-cruise conditions are met.
What travel insurance do I need for an Arctic cruise?
You need travel insurance that specifically allows Arctic cruising and provides suitable medical, evacuation, cancellation and travel-disruption benefits for remote polar travel.
With Rise & Shield, select your preferred base plan and add Adventure Plus, which is required for eligible Arctic cruise cover.
Do I need Adventure Plus for an Arctic cruise?
Yes. Rise & Shield’s Arctic and Antarctica cruise cover only applies when the additional premium for Adventure Plus has been paid.
Make sure Adventure Plus appears in your policy summary before you travel.
Do I need Travel Elite for an Arctic cruise?
Not necessarily. Your Arctic cruise cover depends on adding Adventure Plus, rather than choosing one particular base plan.
However, expedition cruises to destinations such as Svalbard and Greenland can involve substantial prepaid costs, so compare the cancellation, medical, baggage and other benefit limits of Essentials, Classic and Elite and choose the level that suits your trip.
Does my Arctic expedition ship need to have a doctor onboard?
Yes. A qualified medical doctor and a small medical treatment room must be onboard the ship for Rise & Shield’s Arctic cruise cover to apply.
Check with your cruise operator before travelling if you are unsure what medical facilities your vessel provides.
Does Arctic travel insurance cover emergency medical expenses?
Eligible emergency medical treatment for a sudden illness or injury during your insured journey may be covered, subject to your selected plan’s benefit limits, excesses and policy conditions.
Rise & Shield’s Arctic cover is designed to work alongside the ship’s medical facilities and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre if more substantial treatment is required.
Is helicopter evacuation covered in the Arctic?
Eligible helicopter evacuation may be covered when it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.
The assistance team determines the appropriate evacuation arrangements based on your medical circumstances, location, weather and what is operationally possible. A separate helicopter evacuation excess applies.
Where can I be evacuated from in the Arctic?
Arctic helicopter evacuation can operate from recognised locations where suitable access and facilities are available.
Typical Arctic evacuation points include Longyearbyen, Tromsø, Reykjavík and Kangerlussuaq. The actual arrangements depend on your location, weather, aircraft availability and the assessment of the Emergency Assistance Centre.
Is travel insurance available for a Svalbard cruise?
Yes. Eligible organised expedition cruises around Svalbard may be covered when Adventure Plus is selected and the polar-cruise conditions are met.
Your ship must meet the onboard medical requirements, and any excursions or activities must also fall within the activities permitted by your policy.
Can travel insurance cover a Greenland expedition cruise?
Eligible organised cruises and guided tours around Greenland may be covered under Rise & Shield’s Arctic cruise cover with Adventure Plus.
Cover remains subject to the policy terms, including the vessel requirements, planned activities and destination eligibility for your complete journey.
What activities are covered on an Arctic cruise?
Adventure Plus can include eligible activities organised as part of your Arctic cruise or guided tour.
Examples include kayaking, snowshoeing, snorkelling, paddle boarding and a one-night camping experience, subject to the applicable policy conditions and exclusions.
Is kayaking on an Arctic or Svalbard cruise covered?
Eligible kayaking may be covered when it forms part of your organised Arctic cruise or guided tour under Adventure Plus.
You must follow the operator’s safety requirements and any applicable activity conditions.
Is camping in the Arctic covered?
A one-night camping experience can be included when it forms part of your organised Arctic cruise or guided tour under Adventure Plus.
Independent camping or a separate unsupported polar expedition should not be assumed to be covered.
Does Arctic travel insurance cover mountaineering or ice climbing?
No. The specific Arctic and Antarctica cruise cover excludes mountaineering and ice climbing.
It also excludes activities including ski touring, ski mountaineering, cross-country ski expeditions, heli-skiing, heli-boarding and heli-hiking.
Are scuba diving or submarine trips covered on an Arctic cruise?
No. The polar cruise exclusions include scuba diving, ice diving and submarine or submersible rides.
An optional excursion offered by your expedition operator should not be assumed to be insured simply because it is available during the cruise.
Does Rise & Shield cover North Pole expeditions?
Arctic cruise cover is designed for organised cruises and guided tours rather than specialist or unsupported polar expeditions.
A dedicated expedition attempting to reach the North Pole, long overland or ski expeditions, competitive races, record attempts and extreme endurance events should not be assumed to fall within ordinary Arctic cruise cover.
Are independent Arctic expeditions covered?
Arctic cruise insurance is intended for organised cruises and guided tours rather than unsupported, exploratory or specialist polar expeditions.
If your trip involves independent travel across remote ice, long-distance ski travel, mountaineering, unsupported camping or another specialist expedition, check your itinerary with Rise & Shield before buying.
Can Arctic cruise cancellation be covered?
Eligible, unrecoverable trip costs may be covered if an insured event forces you to cancel your journey before departure, subject to the cancellation limit and conditions of your selected plan.
Because Arctic expedition cruises can be expensive, check that your chosen plan’s cancellation limit is appropriate for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.
What happens if bad weather delays my Arctic trip?
Your selected plan may provide benefits for qualifying travel delays or missed departures caused by insured events, subject to waiting periods, benefit limits and other policy conditions.
This can be particularly important if your journey involves connecting flights, hotels or onward transport before joining an expedition ship in places such as Longyearbyen, Tromsø or Reykjavík.
Am I covered if bad weather changes my Arctic cruise itinerary?
Not automatically. Polar itineraries often change because of sea ice, weather or local conditions, and a changed itinerary, missed wildlife sighting or cancelled shore landing does not by itself mean an insurance benefit is payable.
A valid claim must arise from an event covered by the relevant section of your policy and meet that section’s terms and conditions.
Is my baggage and expedition clothing covered on an Arctic cruise?
Eligible loss, theft or accidental damage affecting your baggage and personal belongings may be covered under your selected plan.
Overall baggage limits, individual-item limits, security conditions and an applicable excess may apply, so check your policy carefully if you are travelling with expensive cameras, specialist clothing or expedition equipment.
Can one policy cover my flights, hotels and Arctic cruise?
Yes. Your policy can cover the wider insured journey rather than only the days spent aboard your expedition ship.
Set your trip dates from the day you leave home until the day you return and make sure your selected destination region covers all countries included in your itinerary.
Can I buy Arctic cruise insurance if I do not live in the UK?
Rise & Shield provides anywhere-to-anywhere travel insurance for eligible travellers from a wide range of countries and nationalities.
Your ability to buy remains subject to the policy’s eligibility, residence, destination and other conditions, so check your quote and policy documents before purchasing.
Can travellers over 65 get Arctic cruise insurance?
Potentially, yes. Rise & Shield currently offers travel insurance to eligible travellers up to age 70, and Adventure Plus is the add-on required for eligible Arctic cruise cover.
Eligibility still depends on the traveller, trip and policy terms applicable at the time of purchase.
When should I buy travel insurance for an Arctic cruise?
It is generally sensible to arrange your insurance once you have booked the trip so that any eligible pre-departure cancellation protection can begin.
When buying, cover the dates of your entire journey, choose benefit limits appropriate for the value of your trip, add Adventure Plus, and check your policy summary before departure.
Other useful resources for travelling in the Arctic
NHS Fit for Travel (UK): Destination health guidance
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