He maxed out his credit cards and still owes another $21,000.
A traveler from Minnesota received a rude shock on a cruise after being hit with a $47,000 medical bill. Mike Cameron won a free cruise on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship to the Caribbean. He and his girlfriend, Tamra Masterman, departed from Miami on January 5 for a week-long itinerary. Unfortunately, Cameron caught the flu while on board and was treated at the ship’s medical center. What was supposed to be a free cruise ended up costing him nearly $50,000.
Here’s the strangest part: Cameron had insurance through Norwegian with medical coverage up to $20,000. After being hooked up to IVs and catheters for treatment, Cameron recovered from the flu in three days. The medical staff assured him that his treatment was covered up to $20,000, so he shouldn’t worry. Yet, as he was disembarking, he received a bill for $47,000. The cruise line maxed out both of his credit cards on file, and he still owes $21,000. Norwegian confirmed that medical insurance isn’t accepted on board, and guests must file a claim with their insurance provider.
That’s where Cameron hit a roadblock—his insurance isn’t paying. “The traveler’s insurance doesn’t want to pay it until we run it by our health insurance. The health insurance doesn’t want to pay it because it’s abroad,” he said. Now, he’s worried the expense might cost him his house and cars. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to pay them off. I’m going to have to, but I don’t know how,” he said.
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Norwegian confirmed to The Independent that Cameron received treatment on board, though they declined to disclose details due to privacy concerns. The company added, “As the guest did purchase travel insurance for their vacation, we have recommended they follow up on their claim with the insurance provider, after they have filed the claim with their health insurance provider.”
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The cruise line also stated that its medical care prices are comparable to other companies and fair. But does it really cost that much to have a medical emergency on board? It’s possible, said Jenna Hummer, PR director at Squaremouth Travel Insurance. “Average medical costs aboard a cruise often average $5,000–$50,000+ depending on the emergency, while medical evacuations can cost upwards of $100,000.”
Hummer explained that cruise ships are not equipped with full-service hospitals, and domestic health insurance providers don’t cover international waters. “That’s where travel insurance can come to the rescue and provide coverage for higher-than-normal medical costs due to limited medical resources and remote destinations,” she said.
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Buying Travel Insurance
First off, always—always—get insurance before embarking on a cruise. Don’t depend on your credit card to cover you. Medical expenses on board, evacuations, and repatriation can cost thousands of dollars, and your safest bet is a robust policy. In Cameron’s case, the cruise line offered medical coverage up to $20,000. However, Hummer told Fodor’s that travelers should aim for medical coverage up to $100,000 and emergency evacuation coverage up to $250,000.
Cruise lines often offer insurance through their preferred providers, but check if the policy is comprehensive. It should also cover flight cancellations, delays, and other onshore incidents. Third-party insurers may offer additional options, such as “cancel for any reason” coverage, Squaremouth suggests on its website. The company also recommends reading the fine print. “Make sure it covers not only medical reasons but also job loss, travel advisories, and even personal emergencies like a wedding cancellation or family illness,” it advises. Some policies also include cruise-specific benefits, such as missed connections and weather-related cancellations.
What won’t insurance cover? Adventure sports, for one. Hummer said, “Activities like scuba diving, rock climbing, white-water rafting, and glacier hiking may require adding an adventure sports rider to your plan.” Additionally, alcohol consumption could impact your coverage. If you’re injured on board and your report shows alcohol in your system, your claim might be denied. Travelers with pre-existing conditions should look into policies that include an exclusion waiver.
Additionally, many insurance providers do not cover medical evacuations, so purchasing a separate policy for such situations is a good idea. Medjet is one such company that offers an annual subscription model and covers medical evacuations from anywhere in the world to your hometown hospital.
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