Wasney had had seizures in the past, starting about 10 years ago, but it had been a while since his last one.
The Patient: Vincent Wasney, 31, who was uninsured at the time.
They also lacked travel insurance. As inexperienced travelers, Wasney said, they thought it was for lost luggage and canceled trips, not unexpected medical expenses.
Wasney had a second seizure on the ship a few hours later, back in his cabin. This time he stopped breathing, and Eberlein remembered his lips being so purple, they almost looked black. Again, she ran to find help but, in her haste, locked herself out. By the time the ship’s medical team got into the cabin, Wasney was breathing again but had broken blood vessels along his chest and neck that he later said resembled tiger stripes. Wasney was in the ship’s medical center when he had a third seizure — a grand mal, which typically causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions.
By then, the ship was close enough to port that Wasney could be evacuated by rescue boat. He was put on a stretcher to be lowered by ropes off the side of the ship, with Eberlein climbing down a rope ladder to join him. But before they disembarked, the bill came.
Total Bill: $2,500.22.
I was expecting quite a bit more for all the emergency care he got.
Travel health insurance is surprisingly cheap. I priced out a 1 week policy when I was traveling internationally for a trip that included emergency medical evacuation by helicopter if necessary. It was only $50.
He’s American and he’s unhappy with a $2500 bill? That’s less than my deductible. Should be counting his blessings.
I don’t know about the “should be counting blessings” part but I am surprised that he’s surprised by the price tag too.
I always assumed some basic healthcare would be offered free to those that needed it on a cruise. Especially since many cruisers are senior citizens or people buying all-you-can-drink packages. I guess I’ll buy travelers insurance if I go on one.
You should always have travellers insurance.
That’s crazy if you don’t.
Why go on a planet wrecking cruise? If your going to enjoy the ocean, enjoy it, take a sailboat
I guess it’s crass to hand someone a bill mid-crisis, but I’m having trouble feeling too sorry for him. The costs don’t seem outrageous. And, he obviously skipped the traveler’s insurance.
He didn’t really skip the travelers insurance, he wasn’t given the opportunity to buy it since the cruise was a gift. But since he was an inexperienced traveler, he wouldn’t have likely bought it anyway.
That $35 “Wacky Seagull” the day beforehand is pretty sus
That’s the name of the bar.
You do love your conspiracy theories.
Maybe next time you verify the facts before commenting.
Sorry, what other conspiracy theories are you referring to? It was a joke made in bad taste.
