A couple must pay 43,000 francs after a free cruise

A couple must pay 43,000 francs after a free cruise


After a free cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, an American couple received an exorbitant bill.

After a free cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, an American couple received an exorbitant bill.

ncl.com (image d’illustration)

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Medical feesA couple must pay 43,000 francs after a free cruise

A trip aboard a liner crossing in the Caribbean has turned into a financial abyss because of the staggering cost of a treatment against flu.

Laura Zygmunt

Imagine that you win a free cruise in the Caribbean and that you have to pay 43,000 francs on arrival. This is the mishap experienced by an American couple. According to the Fox 9 channel, Mike Cameron and Tamra Masterman won a week on a Norwegian Cruise Line liner.

However, joy was short -lived. Shortly after Miami’s departure in early January, Mike Cameron fell ill and had to be treated for a flu. Treatment lasted three days. On his return, he received the invoice in the amount of nearly $ 47,000 (approx. 43,000 francs).

Insurers refer the ball

The company had already debited the two credit cards recorded by the couple and we reach their ceiling. However, there were still approximately $ 21,000 (19,000 francs) to be paid. Although the couple has taken out travel insurance from Norwegian Cruise Line (read box), covering medical expenses up to 20,000 dollars (18,000 francs), they could not assert it, indicates Fox 9 .

“Norwegian Cruise Line’s travel insurance does not want to pay the amount as long as we have not clarified the situation with our health insurance, but the latter refuses to pay because the stay took place abroad”, explains Tamra Masterman.

In a letter, Norwegian Cruise Line informed the patient that the rate of medical care on board was comparable to that practiced by other companies. Subsequently, the television channel received the company’s email which indicated that it was verifying whether such high costs for the treatment of flu was justified.

Faramineous costs abroad

Norwegian Cruise Line is an American company, contrary to what his name suggests. On board, the tariff conditions for medical treatment are the same as in a private clinic in the United States, even if the boat sails in Europe or in European overseas territories, for example. For people insured in Switzerland who use emergency care in countries outside the EU and the AELE, the participation of the basic insurance covers as much as possible what would cost the same treatment in the canton of domicile. In the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan, this participation is often insufficient and the patient must pay the difference.



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