They got more than they asked for.
There’s nothing worse than getting sick on vacation — especially if your getaway is out at sea.
A frustrated traveler took to Reddit to share not only how bad their recent experience was getting ill on a Norwegian cruise ship — but also how expensive it was.
In the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, the disgruntled cruise ship passenger warned, “Don’t get sick on a cruise ship” above a picture of a lengthy, itemized medical bill.
The original poster came off that cruise with a tan and a $9,750.86 bill.
If you look closely, it seems that 21 different tests were performed on the OP, which totaled around $8,761 — and then an additional $618.59 on medications and $380.27 on supplies.
Yikes.
It’s unknown what exactly this cruise-goer came down with — but it obviously was bad.
Many empathetic Reddit users took to the comment section of the post to share similar sickly experiences.
“My neighbor had to be airlifted off a cruise ship the other year. Fortunately she is a ‘veteran cruiser’ and carries enough insurance to mitigate the diabolical costs. Sorry you have to absorb this, OP.”
“Over $100 to slap a fingertip pulse ox sensor on you?? What is this nightmare?”
“I love the new patient charge, where every patient is a new patient.”
To avoid getting slapped with a wildly expensive bill like this poor soul — there are a few precautions you can take to avoid getting sick before boarding your next cruise vacation.
Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands thoroughly.
“Infectious diseases spread quickly on cruise ships because a lot of people share the same space day and night for an extended amount of time in relatively close contact,” Dr. Shalom Sokolow, an emergency medicine physician at Northwell’s Phelps Hospital, told The Post.
“Always wash your hands after you have been in contact with other people and before you eat,” Sokolow said.
While it’s tempting to pig out on the buffet — Dr. Eric Ascher, a family medicine physician at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital, explained how it’s “also an easy way for the norovirus to spread because of all the shared utensils.”
Sokolow agreed, adding, “Plentiful and fun food is among the main appeals of a cruise and there is no reason to miss out.”
“However, there are a few basic steps to protect yourself from getting sick.”
