Cruises are an extremely popular holiday choice for young and old. According to the latest data from Cruise Lines International Association, a record 2.4 million passengers went on cruises in 2024.

If you're looking to join that number this year, then it's important that you are aware of the key mistakes many people make. Cruises are great, but they are not without risk. That's why travel insurance provider Post Office Travel Insurance has shared some of the common mistakes travellers make that see them hundreds out of pocket. One of these is cabin confinement.

If you happen to fall ill, there's a chance you will be quarantined from the rest of the ship, meaning you lose out on hundreds of pounds worth of activities and meals.

If you have something contagious like norovirus - a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, it's likely you will be confined.

If you haven't checked your travel insurance coverage carefully, this could come entirely out of your pocket.

Even worse than simply being confined, if you are seriously ill or injured and need to be evacuated, that can be even more expensive. If you need to be taken to a hospital on land, the bill can quickly rise into the thousands.

Cruise-specific cover includes emergency medical treatment, rejoining the ship and repatriation, which means you don't need to panic about money while trying to heal.

Sometimes, cruises will miss scheduled ports due to weather conditions or safety concerns. If you have pre-booked activities at this port, then you will be out of pocket and the cruise line is often not required to refund this.

In a similar vein, cruises can be subject to last-minute route changes due to weather or port conditions.

If you have hotel bookings or transport planned and you miss out, the cruise is unlikely to refund you which is why it's so important to ensure you have organised the correct insurance.

Adam Edinburgh, head of Post Office travel & new products, said: "Cruising has become one of the most exciting ways to travel, especially for younger generations seeking flexibility and adventure.

"But with spontaneity comes responsibility. It's about making sure your trip is memorable for the right reasons."