A couple from MN won a cruise at Grand Casino with Norwegian Cruise Lines. On the cruise, the man got the flu and was in the ship's infirmary for 3 days. He was shocked when he got the bill for over $40,000 for the 3 days. They had to max out their credit cards to pay the bill. Their health insurance didn't cover them because they were out of the country. Luckily, they purchased trip insurance which covered some of the bill.

The cruise line stated that this was not an inflated bill, but was comparable to all cruise lines.

After this was televised on a local news station, several other cruise line travelers came forward with a similar story. Makes a person a little gun shy about going on a cruise.

Had several friends deal with out of country medical issues recently. Sounds like trip insurance is a must have if leaving the country.

One of them dealt with gall stones in Mexico last month. Same deal, came back like $30k in debt.

I may overpay at Disney, but my health insurance card works there

No way I am getting on one of those floating Petri dishes. They have several lockdowns in port here a year for viral outbreaks, Norovirus seems to be most common.

A brother in law and his wife went on a cruise years ago. He broke out in hives and spent the cruise confined to their quarters. Somehow they figured out it was caused by pineapple on the ship.

Near as I can tell a cruise is just going from one tourist trap to another in a large hotel casino. I dont get it.

We went on a cruise 20 to 25 years ago. Among other things there was a single guy on board who was causing all kinds of trouble. About 5th day, they had had enough. We were watching from the deck as ship left a port........right before they pulled the gangplank, crew carried that guy and his bags off the boat, put him and bags in a pile and left him there. He was either drugged up or beat up. I thought he was dead until I saw his leg move. That was the last we saw of him. Locals moving in like buzzards. I suspect his next few days was some sort of nightmare.

Turns out you need to read the agreement you signed to get a ticket to board. Captain is more or less the GOD of your world while on the ship. Haven't been back.

When you cram 3000 people from all over, on a ship with 500 plus employees, drop them off in ports in mostly third world countries, where tens of thousands of other people are dropped off by cruise ships, you've got to expect some pretty significant disease transfer.

Keith

Not a chance, I hate feeling like a dumb tourist. I've traveled internationally quite a bit, and make it a point to stay away from anything that attracts western tourists.
Plus, friends have told me that at the end of the cruise, everyone has to line up and pay their tab, and many times the tab is way more than the cost of the cruise itself. Lots of long sad faces in that line I've been told.

A gal who works for us told me her daughter and husband just went on a cruise a few days ago down around Mexico coastal areas. Husband got ill first now both are ill and both have been quarantined to their cabin. Don't know how many others are infected on that cruise. He is now on oxygen and taken to a coastal hospital for treatment. You can have those cruises, I'll pass. Talk about a total waste of money and time.

How many of y’all have actually been on one? My wife owns a travel agency and we’ve been on 3 to 4 a year for the last 12-14 years. Literally all over the world. Never an issue like what’s described, including feedback from her clients. (500 plus families a year)

My son had to get stitches in his knee from diving after a loose basketball during a kids group activity and there was zero bill from the ships medical staff or doctor. They also comped our snorkeling excursion because they didn’t want him in the salt water within days of receiving the stitches.

I’m sure that folks get sick from time to time. Especially rural folks that don’t interact with others in large numbers.

I’m not saying any of the stories above aren’t factual, I just haven’t seen anything like what’s being described. I’ve got more concern with touching the self checkout screen at Walmart than going on a vacation.

I never been on one. If I want to Check into a hotel room, drink dance and gamble, I can drive about an hour to a Casino. Spend a whole lot less money. Never did that though either. I fail to see the attraction.

i REFER TO THEM AS "PUKE BOATS'1

Different strokes for different folks.

I've never been, but I'd love to go on one. Had one planned and paid for but Covid put a stop to it, ended up doing Disney instead (during the height of Covid).

Got friends who do them almost annually and love them. Heard a lot more good than bad.

For those considering Alaska, have heard that a nice option is to take the ferry up inside passage from Seattle to Alaska. Float up, drive back down the Al-Can. They have food service and rooms on board the ferry and stop at a lot of towns the cruise ships don't.

Anyone with experience? Yes or no?

Look up the Bill bur skit on cruise ships. Pretty funny.

I've walked on from Prince Rupert to Juneau. If you have a car, you can't really get off anywhere. They don't stay in port but just long enough for embarking and loading and they may dock at any time of the day or night. Walk Ons can get off and stay for a while and get on a later ferry to continue the trip. If you are getting on at Bellingham a cabin might make sense but farther north, it doesn't make sense as you aren't on there for very long.

I don't like heights. Those ships are way too tall. I'll stick to my bass boat.

Never been, not interested, my wife is not interested either....seems like folks that go, go to eat the unlimited food, and or gamble.

My wife's uncle's girlfriend, he's 90.......books 4 to 6 a year!, he finally told her no mas!, lol

Last thing I wanna do in my free time is get on a boat. But… I can understand the attraction. Everything provided, just sit back and watch the coast go by.

I'm sorry if this offends anyone, not my intent. My observations are that the vast majority of folks who go on cruises are lower-middle income folks who want to feel like "high-rollers". I can't think of any truly wealthy people who go on cruises.