Vincent Wasney and Sarah Eberlein’s first cruise turned into a medical nightmare when Vincent suffered multiple seizures. Stranded at sea with mounting medical bills, their dream vacation quickly spiraled into a financial crisis.
First-Time Travelers Face Medical Crisis
Vincent Wasney and his fiancée, Sarah Eberlein, had never seen the ocean or flown on a plane. Their first home purchase in Saginaw, Michigan, in 2018 came with a surprise gift: tickets for a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Delays Turn to Departure
After two years of pandemic-related delays, they finally embarked on their journey in December 2022. The couple chose a Bahamas cruise for its stop at CocoCay, a private island with attractions like a water park and swimming with pigs.
Health Scare at Sea
On the day they visited CocoCay, Wasney, 31, began feeling unwell. The next morning, he had a seizure in their cabin, alarming Eberlein and prompting an emergency response from another guest, an ER physician.
Quick Medical Response
The ship’s medical team transported Wasney to their facility, providing anticonvulsants and fluids before releasing him. Wasney, who had a history of seizures, had been off medication for two years following a seizure-free period.
Seizures Continue
Later that day, Wasney experienced a second seizure, this time stopping his breathing and causing his lips to turn purple. In her panic, Eberlein locked herself out of the cabin but eventually got help, and the medical team stabilized Wasney again.
Third Seizure Leads to Evacuation
Wasney’s third and most severe seizure occurred in the ship’s medical center. With the ship near port, he was evacuated by rescue boat, with Eberlein descending a rope ladder to join him.
Unexpected Medical Bill
Before they could leave, the couple was presented with a bill for $2,500.22 for medical services rendered. Royal Caribbean’s policy required immediate payment, regardless of the urgent medical situation.
Cruise Line Policies
Royal Caribbean’s guest terms mandate that all onboard expenses, including medical care, be settled before disembarkation. The cruise line does not accept land-based health insurance, leaving passengers like Wasney to cover costs out-of-pocket.
A Painful Financial Hit
Despite the emergency, the couple had to drain their bank accounts and max out credit cards to pay the bill. Eberlein questioned the fairness of the demand amid a medical crisis, feeling they were being held financially hostage.
A Rocky Return to Shore
Ultimately, they were permitted to disembark, but Wasney later discovered his card was overdrafted to cover the bill. Once on land in Florida, an ambulance rushed him to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, where he faced additional hefty medical expenses.
Uncertain Causes
The exact trigger for Wasney’s seizures remains unclear. He was told on the ship it might have been extreme dehydration, though he also speculated about the escargot he tried for the first time or possibly swimming with pigs.
Lack of Coverage
Wasney, a stone shop worker, was uninsured during the cruise. He had signed up for a health plan a month before the trip, but coverage didn’t start until January 2023, after their return.
No Travel Insurance
They also didn’t have travel insurance, thinking it was only for lost luggage and canceled trips. As first-time cruisers, they didn’t realize the importance of coverage for unexpected medical emergencies.
Financial Fallout
Returning to Saginaw, they faced empty bank accounts and mounting medical debt. Without insurance, Wasney couldn’t seek reimbursement for the cruise’s medical bills once his coverage began.
Payment Plans and Collections
The couple set up payment plans for the bills from Broward Health and the ambulance company. Despite their efforts, missed payments led to one bill being sent to collections, although Broward Health reduced it by 73% due to Wasney being uninsured.
Community Support
A GoFundMe campaign helped them cover their house payment, raising $2,690 from family and friends. Wasney expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support, particularly from his disc golf community.
Navigating Medical Costs
Medical billing varies by cruise line, but charges are typically added to the onboard account. Passengers can submit receipts to their insurers for potential reimbursement, although not all health plans cover cruise ship medical services.
Importance of Travel Insurance
Experts recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuations. Such plans can ease financial burdens in case of unforeseen health issues during travel.
Future Plans
Despite the ordeal, Wasney and Eberlein plan to return to the Bahamas. They intend to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to avoid a repeat of their financial and medical troubles.
