Raeburn6111

Thank you for all of these replies!!

I should have specified that we are in Australia.

My family (me included!) always takes out travel insurance... I have never had to use it on any of my semi-regular international travels, but I figure insurance is exactly that: for the "just in case" scenario....

If you are picky about your itinerary and cabin you might need to put in a deposit very early. That starts the clock for pre-existing conditions. It isn’t so much the timing of the final payment.

is exactly right. Due to mobility issues, Mum wants to be close to the reception desk (we had cabin 200 on a Viking Longboat and it was perfect!)....also keen to go on the Grand European Tour from Budapest to Amsterdam....so that is why they need to book a long way in advance.

I will send my parents the link to this thread as it may give them so ideas to think about if they find they do need to cancel their trip due to ill health (eg will their credit card insurance cover it?also look into annual travel insurance...) Thanks for these suggestions! :D

My Mum and I enjoyed a fantastic river cruise in 2015 with Viking from Budapest to Amsterdam with some time in Paris and London afterwards. A magic 6 weeks!!!

Mum is looking to book a similar cruise for herself and my father but is rapidly being put off as she says that the cruises are booked too far in advance for them to get travel insurance at the time of booking.

They both have had a few medical scares over the past few years but still can get insurance.... however are not happy to run the risk of paying for a cruise and not be able to insure until closer to the cruising date - and in the meantime find for what ever reason they can't go and will therefore lose their money.

I have commented that there must be a way around this as there are many people of their age travelling.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.