New Caledonia, must have proof of travel insurance to disembark

[Hammer61]

Booked a Fiji and South Paific Cruise today in January next year, then get an email saying anyone wanting to disembark in New Caledonia ports must have proof of international travel insurance covering any emergency medical or hospital expenses as well as repatriation??? This is a new requirment from the Government there apparently, so i suppose all Cruise companys must ensure passangers have said insurance...........Now we have complementry travel insurance with our Mastercard, as long as we have used it to book the trip, which we did but online with Bpay  via a travel agent, but how would Princess know this? and if our card had complimentry insurance.

 

Anyone been recently and how strictly was this enforced? Seems its more aimed at those who go on longer trips than those on Cruise ships. 

Edited September 19, 2019 by Hammer61

[Level six]

Did you get this notification from Princess?  We are booked on NCL in November and have not gotten any notification.  We have travel insurance, but just wondering.  Thanks.  

[Level six]

Just found this........

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10703-k12206788-New_Caledonia_Travel_Requirement-Cruises.html

 

Also from the US state department

"You need a passport valid for six months beyond the duration of your stay in New Caledonia. Some travelers may be asked to show proof of medical insurance."

 

All a surprise to me.  

[Hammer61]

9 hours ago, Level six said:

Did you get this notification from Princess?  We are booked on NCL in November and have not gotten any notification.  We have travel insurance, but just wondering.  Thanks.  

The Travel Agent sent us the notification, think it’s from there "Preferred" Travel insurance company, have yet to speak with Princess as to if this is mandatory or not, or just the Travel Agent trying to scare us into insurance (commision) perhaps??? We have it with our MasterCard anyway, so will ask them what they can provide to show we have insurance if in fact it is required to show when boarding, suspect this requirement is not aimed at the Cruise market in the first place.... 

[40yearcruiser]

We are booked on Princess in March 2020 for a Fiji cruise, which includes stops in New Caledonia. There was a notice at the bottom of the booking confirmation about this requirement. If you don't have this confirmation, log into the website and take a look at the travel summary document and the notice should also be there. We are still debating whether the trip insurance is necessary for us because we have overseas coverage on our Blue Cross insurance (I have printed out the information that specifies that travel in New Caledonia is covered) and we also have a separate policy that covers worldwide medical evacuation. We think that should be sufficient but would like to hear from anyone who has been there recently and whether this is something to be concerned about.

[brettski_1234]

P& O are advising me in Cruise Control that you need insurance, I had bought some anyway so I will be all good