Traveler sparks outrage after sharing the shocking cost of getting sick on a cruise ship
A Reddit user took to the forum called MildlyInfuriating to share their dismay after one of their family members became ill during a recent Norwegian cruise... and was hit with a shockingly high bill afterwards.
They explained on the platform that their brother-in-law headed to the ship's medical center after he started feeling unwell.
He spent one day and one night in the boat's hospital, receiving antibiotics via IV and undergoing a series of tests to try to uncover what was wrong.
'My brother-in-law's condition was a mystery which required many tests, vials of blood,' he explained.
Unfortunately, the doctors couldn't determine the cause of his illness, and to make matters worse, he had to pay thousands of dollars for his 'emergency care.'
In total, the Reddit user, who is from the US, revealed that the cruise charged his brother-in-law a whopping $9,750.86.
He shared a snap of the bill, writing, 'Don't get sick on a cruise ship.'
Some charges on the bill included a COVID-19 test for $274 and a $219 charge for admission to the medical center for 'not-critical observation.'
Checking his oxygen level? That cost $109. A consul with the doctor? Another $219.
The traveler shared some more info in the comment section, explaining that his brother-in-law was ultimately diagnosed with Lyme disease after he got back home.
'When he returned stateside, the local MD determined it was Lyme disease, which isn't a common ailment down in the tropics and so not tested for,' they explained.
They also revealed that the credit card they had used to book the cruise came with medical coverage up to $2,500, which helped cut down the bill slightly.
In the end, they said he would be 'opting in on travel insurance' for their next trip.
The post launched a heated conversation about medical costs as hoards of other Reddit users rushed to the comment section to share their horror.
'Over $100 to slap a fingertip pulse ox sensor on you? What is this nightmare?' asked one distraught person.
They shared a snap of the bill, writing, 'Don't get sick on a cruise ship' and the post sparked a heated conversation about medical costs. A different Norwegian cruise ship is seen
'Seaway robbery,' replied another.
'No fear unlocked,' announced someone else.
'They literally charged you for having a Pulse OX hooked up to you are you f**king kidding me?' read a fourth comment.
'Gotta love $109 to put that little Pulse OX digital sensor on your finger. I hope you got to take it home because they cost $4 at Walmart,' a fifth said.
'At that point just throw me overboard,' joked a different user.
Others took it as a lesson to always get travel insurance when going on a vacation.
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