WHAT? Minnesota Man Wins Cruise, Then Slapped with $47K Bill

YAY!!  I WON A CRUISE!!!  WE GET TO GO TO THE CARIBBEAN!!!

This is how I imagine a conversation going after Mike Cameron won a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise at Grand Casino Hinkley.  He and his girlfriend were so excited to go on this 7 day Caribbean cruise.

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Things went awry.

They went awry not in the way you might think... here is the deal.  Mike Cameron and his girlfriend set off on their free cruise but then Mike came down with the flu.  He headed to the medical team on board.  That's what you do when you don't feel well, right?

Turns out he had the flu, and was treated for it.  In about 3 days he was all good.  The cruise was a 7 day cruise, so still have 4 days, even though 3 of them were taken up by being sick, but still make the best of it, right?

Until Cameron gets slapped with a medical bill from the ship for $47K!!!!  That's a hefty medical bill for treatment for the flu, right?

Cameron had purchased travel insurance worth $20K, but the rest of it maxed out his credit cards he had on file, and then there is still an outstanding balance!  First question is "didn't you have health insurance?"  Yes, he did.  But apparently when you are in International waters it doesn't cover it??  That seems odd.  The health insurance should follow you, not the country of origin.

From FOX 9 News and the New York Post: 

“I was just flabbergasted by the whole thing. I guess I am just used to the medical system in the United States. I can’t believe it happened,” he said.

The bill came as a shock as crew members assured him not to worry as he received treatment.

 

 

Right now, there is a battle.

The cruise line maxed out two credit cards Cameron had on file and he still owes $21,000, he added.

The couple had purchased travel insurance from the cruise line that covered expenses of up to $20,000 and have health insurance — but Cameron is stuck in a holding pattern, with each claiming the other is responsible for the bill, he told Fox 9.

It seems totally unreasonable.  But the cruise line stated in a letter “closely comparable to other cruise lines and is what we believe to be fair and reasonable.”

Cameron says he's not sure how he's going to afford this almost $50K bill, but he will have to, somehow unless there is an agreement between the insurance company and the cruise line.

Huge bummer for an otherwise exciting win of a cruise at Grand Casino.