Cruising is often a time for relaxation, but for Tony from the popular YouTube channel La Lido Loca, his recent trip on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Bliss took an expensive turn after a medical visit.
In a candid video, Tony broke down the unexpected $812 medical bill he incurred onboard and the surprising reason it could have been avoided.
A Knee Injury That Snowballed
Tony’s medical troubles began on a previous cruise aboard Holland America Line’s MS Eurodam.
While getting out of bed one morning, he heard a “popping sound” in his left knee, followed by significant pain and tightness. Despite the discomfort, Tony continued his daily activities, hoping the soreness would pass.
Fast forward to his NCL Bliss cruise – a trip where Tony was hired to create videos for the cruise line.
His knee initially seemed to improve, but during a tender ride in Cabo San Lucas, disaster struck.
As Tony described, “I took one step up… and my knee just popped again, worse than before. The pain shot up so much I thought I was going to pass out.”
Stubborn Determination
Despite the worsening pain, Tony chose not to notify NCL immediately, opting instead to push through his commitments. “I’m a super stubborn person,” Tony admitted. “I didn’t reach out to my contact at NCL because I didn’t want them to tell me not to do the work.”
After struggling to walk and realising the injury might worsen, Tony decided to seek medical attention onboard.
However, his initial visit to the ship’s medical center was delayed because it wasn’t an emergency, and the facility only offered non-emergency services during designated hours.
The Cost Breakdown
Once the medical center opened, Tony received a thorough evaluation, including x-rays, blood tests, and a knee brace.
Here’s how the charges stacked up:
- Professional Services: $149 for a new patient doctor visit.
- Tests and Procedures: $43 for blood extraction, $153 for laboratory tests, $153 for x-rays, and more.
- Supplies: $74 for items like a knee brace, bandages, and a catheter.
The total came to a staggering $812.
The Costly Question
One moment during the medical intake process could have potentially saved Tony the entire bill. The nurse handed him an “accident occurrence form,” asking if his injury resulted from an accident.
Initially, Tony started filling it out but realised his situation didn’t qualify as an accident.
“I wasn’t in an accident,” he explained. “My knee was already kind of jacked up… I didn’t feel comfortable claiming something that wasn’t true.”
By refusing to classify his injury as an accident, Tony missed the chance for his medical expenses to be potentially covered under the cruise line’s accident policies. Instead, he opted to pay out of pocket and rely on his travel insurance to seek reimbursement.
Lessons Learned
Tony’s story is a cautionary tale for cruisers. He emphasised the importance of travel insurance, stating, “Even if you’re going on a short cruise or a long cruise, make sure you’ve got that travel insurance, or you could be paying hundreds of dollars.”
As for how he handled the situation, Tony stands by his decision. “If it’s not an accident, I’m not going to say it’s an accident. I don’t believe in rolling like that. If you sow the seeds of dishonesty, then bad things are going to happen to you.”
What Do You Think?
Would you have filled out the accident form or paid out of pocket like Tony? Have you ever faced a medical bill while cruising? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
For more cruise insights and stories, check out Tony’s channel, La Lido Loca.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
