A couple learned the value of travel insurance the hard way. Before allowing a man who experienced several debilitating seizures to be medically evacuated, the cruise line asked him to settle a hefty bill.
Engaged couple Vincent Wasney and Sarah Eberlein excitedly embarked on one of their first few travels, a cruise their real estate agent gifted to them. They left on December 8 from Port Canaveral for a 4-night trip to the Bahamas.
On the second to the last day of their itinerary, 31-year-old Wasney began feeling unwell while at Royal Caribbean’s Private Island Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The next day, he began having seizures that made him bite his tongue and caused his lips to turn black.
His third and final episode on the ship was a grand mal seizure, a seizure so severe that it can lead to extreme involuntary muscle contractions and unconsciousness.
Fortunately, they were close enough to the shore for a medical evacuation by boat.
While waiting for rescue, they were handed a bill for $2,500. It listed charges for internet, gratuities, food, and beverage, and using the ship’s medical facility.
Crew members informed them that it had to be settled before they could leave.
Royal Caribbean’s pay-before-you-go policy
Royal Caribbean’s policy states: “Guest further agrees to pay in full before the end of the Cruise, and Carrier reserves the right to collect, all charges for entertainment, goods and services incurred by Guest, or incurred by Carrier on Guest’s behalf.”
Thus, passengers must remit full payment for all their expenses at the end of the cruise, even if they’re being medically evacuated. The ship doesn’t accept onshore health insurance policies.
| According to South Carolina Public Radio, Eberlein asked them, “Are we being held hostage at this point? Because, obviously, if he’s had three seizures in 10 hours, it’s an issue.” |
The distressed couple drained their bank accounts, maxed out and overdrafting Wasney’s credit card, and gave Royal Caribbean their next mortgage payment.
Finally allowed to leave, Wasney was lowered from the side of the ship on a stretcher while Eberlein climbed down a ladder to be with her fiancé.
After receiving treatment from Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Health Medical Center, the couple returned home to Saginaw, Michigan, owing thousands of dollars in medical bills.
They eventually paid their debts and mortgages through payment plans and with the help of a GoFundMe campaign.
Importance of Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance
In the case of Vincent Wasney, travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation and repatriation would have made a huge difference. This simple and discreet line in insurance policies can pay for emergency evacuations and the travel costs of returning home.
However, not all travel insurance covers this, so read the fine print.
Unfazed by the health and financial scare, Wasney says they’re looking forward to retaking the same cruise.
Here’s hoping they remember to purchase travel insurance this time around.
