Worst gift ever: free cruise ends up costing American man $47,000

Sometimes, things can really be too good to be true, and a prime example is the case of Mike Cameron, a Minnesota native who thought he had got lucky when he won a free cruise.

How a free cruise got expensive for Minnesota couple

Fox 9, the local affiliate near where Cameron lives, reported that after winning the free Norwegian Cruise Line Encore, he and his girlfriend set sail on January 5 earlier this year.

Sadly, during their time on the open ocean, Cameron got sick and was diagnosed with the flu by the onboard doctors. However, upon returning home, he found that the cruise company had charged him $47,000 for the medical care he received on board. The company charged two of his credit cards, and although the charges maxed out his credit limit, he was still informed he owed $21,000.

Fox also reported on a letter that had been sent by the company to the couple stating that their bill was “loosely comparable to other cruise lines and is what we believe to be fair and reasonable.” For the Camerons, who were at a loss of how they would overcome the financial challenge, the conclusion reached by the company was absurd.

Cameron “should have been discharged”

Cameron’s daughter, Krystal, started a GoFundMe to support her father and his partner, providing more details on the ordeal the couple faced on board. He was admitted to the ship’s medical ICU after his “oxygen levels dropped significantly.”

However, after treatment, Krystal argued that his condition improved, and he sought to be discharged so that he could “quarantine in his room from there on out.”

Travel insurance not enough to cover flu medical care

The family says that his discharge was not approved, leading him to stay in the medical center for 63 hours. Though the couple purchased travel insurance, they were “reassured” by a company representative that they would be “covered for $20,000” and that they shouldn’t worry.

The family raised a little over $5,000 in GoFundMe donations by the start of March, which is when the most recent update was posted. It stated that Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber had contacted the couple regarding the issue and that steps had been taken to start a legislation obliging cruise lines to inform travelers prior to ticket purchase if their medical staff is paid on commission versus a fixed salary.

Other travelers report “surprise” cruise medical bills

Krystal had earlier revealed that the family had been in touch with other individuals who had been subjected to similar practices.

The more the story is spreading the more people who are coming forward with similar stories

Krystal Cameron

One reported example came from a woman who had been on the same cruise as the couple and was charged $6,000 for what appears to be a flu test and medication.

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