Man Wins Free Cruise and Ends Up with a $47,000 Medical Bill

A cruise on Norwegian Encore was supposed to be a dream getaway for Mike Cameron, but instead, it turned into a financial nightmare. After winning a free one-week Caribbean cruise, Cameron and his girlfriend, Tamara Masterman, set sail from Miami on January 5, 2025. However, halfway through the voyage, things took a turn for the worse—both medically and financially.

A Costly Case of the Flu

Cameron came down with the flu and sought treatment at the ship’s medical center. His first visit cost him $500, which he wasn’t too worried about, considering he had purchased travel insurance through Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). The policy, as he understood it, covered up to $20,000 in medical expenses incurred during the trip.

But when his condition worsened, he returned for further treatment. Over the next three days, Cameron was put on IV drips, had catheters inserted, and received round-the-clock care. Throughout his stay in the ship’s medical ward, staff reassured him that his insurance would cover the costs. So, imagine his shock when he was handed a bill for $47,000 at the end of the cruise.

Maxed-Out Credit Cards & Mounting Debt

To make matters worse, NCL didn’t wait for Cameron to sort out payment. The cruise line charged the full amount to the credit cards he had on file, maxing them out and leaving him $21,000 in debt. Now, Cameron and Masterman are facing the real possibility of bankruptcy, with mounting interest adding to their financial burden.

“We didn’t even get a chance to pay—they just took it out,” Masterman told Fox 9 News. “You start thinking you’re going to lose your house, your cars…”

Who’s Paying the Bill? Not the Insurance (Yet)

Cameron thought his travel insurance would have him covered, but getting reimbursed has been a nightmare. The insurance provider won’t process his claim until he submits it to his health insurer first. However, his health insurance refuses to pay because the charges were incurred outside the U.S.

In response to media inquiries, Norwegian Cruise Line stated that the bill was “fair and reasonable” and consistent with what other cruise lines charge for medical care. Yet, when pressed on whether it typically costs nearly $50,000 to treat the flu, an NCL spokesperson said they were “looking into it” but declined to provide specifics.

Cruise Ship Medical Costs—A Wake-Up Call for Passengers

This incident has reignited debates about transparency in cruise ship medical pricing. Many passengers assume that onboard medical care is covered under standard travel insurance policies, only to find themselves trapped by fine print and unexpected exclusions. As Cameron’s case highlights, cruise ship medical costs are often vastly inflated compared to what passengers might expect on land.

The key takeaways?

• Read the fine print of your travel insurance. Just because a policy says it covers medical expenses doesn’t mean it will be hassle-free. Check whether it pays directly, covers cruise-related medical expenses, or requires you to file with your health insurer first.
• Health insurance doesn’t usually cover cruise ship medical costs. Since cruise ships operate in international waters, they’re considered out-of-network for most U.S. health insurers.
• Medical expenses are charged upfront. Cruise lines typically won’t let passengers leave without settling their bill, and they can (and do) charge the credit cards on file without warning.

Should Cruise Medical Pricing Be Regulated?

Cameron’s case is just one of many that have fueled concerns over the lack of regulation around cruise ship medical pricing. With no standardised pricing system, passengers are often at the mercy of whatever a cruise line decides to charge.

For now, the best defence is preparation. Buying comprehensive third-party travel insurance, reading the policy carefully, and having emergency funds set aside could make all the difference between a dream holiday and a financial nightmare.

Would you be comfortable seeking medical care on a cruise ship, knowing it could cost tens of thousands of dollars? Let us know in the comments!

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