CRUISE NEWS: 1 Dead, Scam Alert, Cruise Policy Changes & More

⭐𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆? 𝗔 - Yes, 𝗕 - No

A few months ago my wife and I were infected with the Sapo virus eating contaminated lobster on the Carnival Mardi Gras. We went to the ships medical center. My wife was in far worst condition than me and was treated by the ships doctor. We had to paid $150.00 plus medication for the visit. After we docked in Port Canaveral, we drove home and then to the ER. We were both admitted and stayed in the hospital for three days. Our personal medical insurance covered a great deal of the hospital bill. The unpaid portion of the hospital bill was sent to the Carnival Travel Insurance company. They declined paying my medical bills because I had no record of being treated on the ship. Now I'm out $1450.00 and I have to pay the hospital. Therefore, if you get sick on the ship, go to the ships medical center and get treated. They will provide a medical record and a bill needed for coverage by the insurance company.

I know it’s not Carnival’s or any cruise lines problem, but if they see that a person with a fully booked (paid for in full) cruise, before canceling that cruise, why can’t they take a minute and contact the passengers to see if they really did cancel the cruise. Give the passengers 12-24 hours to respond and then cancel it. I know that’s a bit of a headache, but that’s what this world has come to. Good tip about the travel agent. I’m taking a cruise soon and the first time I’ve worked with a travel agent. Now I’m glad I did. 😊

B. No, 30 cruises in and no medical issues. We’ve been very blessed.

Shame on Carnival for not giving that mom 100% refund

A: A very serious medical incident. I developed a calf full of blood clots and although I had seen the ship's medical doctor they misdiagnosed me. At a stop in London I got off and was seen at Royal London Hospital. They knew exactly what was wrong, gave me blood thinners and admitted me for tests & observation. They accepted my American insurance thankfully.

B. On my last cruise (Emerald Princess through the Panama Canal, January 2024) I got COVID. I immediately called the medical office and received Paxlovid (for $750!!). I was quarantined in my cabin for 4 days. We had travel insurance, which reimbursed me for the 4 days I was isolated. They required that I submit the bill for the mediation to my regular insurance first before they would pay for that. My Kaiser plan paid for the Paxlovid. This experience reinforced our decision to always purchase travel insurance.

A: Out of many overseas trips, only once did I experience a medical issue. I flew to Costa Rica with a mild cough that rapidly turned into bronchitis. I made it to my hotel and spent the night coughing up grossly colored secretions. The next morning I took a cab to a local pharmacy, which dispensed antibiotics without requiring a doctor’s prescription. I’m a nurse and my travel companion was a pharmacist, so we knew what medications to request! I started taking the medications immediately. The following morning I felt well enough to sit on the tour bus and start enjoying my vacation. Thank goodness for that Costa Rican pharmacy. But after that experience, I’ve always purchased trip insurance, just in case.

A - Did not have travel insurance at the time but was covered since the Cruise Line took responsibility for the incident. After hearing how much it would have cost we now have insurance.

Cruise lines really need to improve their account access security, just like banks. They should require a two-factor authentication since the cruise line would have a phone number on file that could receive a one-time code to verify who you are--both online and with the cruise line rep on the phone. Simple and NECESSARY...I smell a class-action lawsuit coming if these lines don't come up to the minimum security standards required today. I had to cancel a Princess cruise just yesterday and could not believe how easy it was to do, with almost no information required other than my name and booking number. Good thing my wife likes me :).

B - Thank God! I have a friend that had a heart attack on a cruise and they ended up being taken to an ICU in a foreign country and they had to pay cash for every day they were there or they weren’t going to treat her. She was eventually ok enough to be flown back to Florida and was admitted to the hospital for 8 more days. They had the money for this, thank God! The problem is, many do not and you also need to make sure your travel insurance would be able to help in this kind of situation.

A-my husband fell on a cruise ship and ended up with a serious concussion. The costs on the ship was 3000.00 and we were glad we had travel insurance

A Yes Scammers are just sickening. Probably the scammer saw the charges reversed and cancelled the cruise out of spite!

Mega ships have the best entertainment, but small ships are great for locations and cultures.

Good morning, Jason . B and I Thank God that my family and I had no medical problems while traveling. Sending prayers to the family.

A. Have gone on 50+ cruises. Had norovirus twice and the flu once. Had to go to medical services. Was not charged by the ship for treatment for norovirus. When I had the flu, my treatment on the ship was covered by my travel insurance. I had to pay for the medical treatment on my cruise bill. Sent the bill to my travel insurance company and was reimbursed.

That is crazy. Such discrimination on solo cruisers. That is the main reason i dont cruise RC anymore

Hi Jason. I started following you when my daughter was a dancer for Princess to see what was going on in the cruising world, and as 15 time cruiser myself. I have continued watching as your info is interesting so keep going. 😊

When booking a cruise, the cruise line should start requiring a 4 digit pin number to confirm changes or cancellations to bookings besides just your booing number.. just a thought..

Great advice about the use of a travel agent. As when they call the cruise lines they do need to provide more info for the agent to retrieve it. ❤