In some other article, I have already told you how expensive it is to go to the doctor on a cruise.
Some of you have asked me about the approximate prices. Therefore, I decided to tell you about a real situation that a passenger recounted.
I’ll tell you in advance that she was quite surprised by the high price, and honestly, so am I!
Why did she need the doctor?
The woman, who was traveling on Norwegian Bliss decided to go to the infirmary because she was seasick.
According to her account, she already had experience with this, but this time the seasickness was worse than usual and showed no signs of improvement.
She said:
Just returned from my Alaskan cruise (which was otherwise fabulous!) and the first night at sea was in very rough waters! I was wearing the patch and have never had a problem cruising with it before, but I’m not sure what happened because I was sick as a dog! Sick throughout the whole night.
So sick, I was seriously contemplating flying home! Mustered up my last ounce of energy to make my way to the ship infirmary the next morning and was seen by the doctors. Cost a pretty penny, but the IV fluids and Zofran were a lifesaver!
After that, she was told to continue using oral anti-nausea medication and was handed the bill.
How much was the medical bill?
In the end, the total was $2,297 for supplies, medications, and services.
A very high bill indeed if you think that it was seasickness, a condition that can happen very often on a cruise and is usually not among the most serious ones.
In particular, the bill said: $96 charge for supplies, $116 for medications, and $2,085 for services.
Someone also noticed the pulse oximetry for $109 and added:
In case anyone is wondering, this is the O2 sensor they stick on your finger, and they are charging $109 for placing it there to get O2 reading, which is insane.
Did she have travel insurance?
That is why I always say that travel insurance is among the cruise ship extras that are totally worth the money.
Fortunately, the woman had health insurance and will claim compensation:
I bought travel insurance. I paid the bill before I got off the ship yesterday, and will file a claim for reimbursement.
I know people don’t like to buy travel insurance but, you never know when you might need it! Peace of mind is enough for me!
The other crazy thing is that cruise lines don’t accept travel insurance onboard. You have to pay in full before leaving the ship, and then you can make a claim for reimbursement.
Some people say that the prices are very high because the stock of medicines and the medical space on the ship are limited.
Therefore, only passengers who really need it should go to the infirmary.
I, on the other hand, think that the companies take advantage of the situation and inflate the prices, often exaggerating at the expense of the patients.
My advice is to bring all the medicines you may need from home. I clearly said that in the article about the 20 cruise essentials that I always bring on a cruise!
This way you will only go to the infirmary for very urgent things.
Also, let me know what you think in the comments below or on my Facebook page. Do you believe that the prices for medical services on board are fair?
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