You may also inquire as to whether the ship can make calls via less costly but poorer quality shortwave radio. A third option is to bring your cellular phone. On a typical Caribbean cruise, you will be in range of a cellular phone about half the time. Expect charges to soar. There is no simple answer to this question because it depends upon your situation.
Insurance can provide peace of mind for a relatively small investment.
A cruise, after all, represents a considerable outlay in cash. Travel insurance generally covers you and your traveling companion if you have to cancel the cruise for various reasons. The insurance may cover medical bills outside the passenger's country of origin or transportation expenses incurred in an emergency. There are many types of policies. If you consider buying travel insurance from your travel agent, read the fine print carefully.