My husband died on the breakaway

[loosygoosy]

Firstly, let me say to the OP that I am truly sorry for your loss. I have been there. My husband became severely ill while on our 25th anniversary cruise to South America. We had sailed from Lima and were headed north. We called the medical centre in the wee hours of the morning and the medical staff immediately took action, doing batteries of tests, and after 2 hours I was advised that his condition was life threatening. He required immediate surgery. They also advised me that the Captain and head office administration had been notified and that arrangements were being made to have us set ashore and taken immediately to a really good hospital. The ship came to an abrupt stop shortly after, in a port of call which was not on the itinerary, the Staff Captain himself manned the lifeboat, and an ambulance was waiting on the dock and off we went. We were met by port agents and from then on began a roller coaster four days. Unfortunately, due to my husband's severe condition, he did not survive the ordeal. The rest of the details are not important to this thread. What I do want to say is that the cruise line did charge me for the medical attention my husband received on board - blood tests, ultrasound, X-rays, treatments...which is rightly so....and the total cost was around $2,000. I did have insurance so all the costs I incurred over the four days on and off the ship, were covered (except for translation fees). I was not charged anything for the ship having to stop, or for the transfer to the hospital by ambulance, or for the port agents staying with me 24 hours per day for 4 days, the cruise line must have covered all these costs because I never saw a bill for any of that. They also allowed anyone from the ship (there was still a week left of the cruise) who wanted to call me in Peru to call at no charge. My question would be: if your husband died instantly, what do the $9,800 charges cover? To try and shock him or administer a drug (assuming a heart attack or stroke)? Those charges seem excessive.

 

 

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[garycarla]

As said before, returning to Bermuda may well have been the worse choice.

 

As to items being stolen - if the report is correct in that it was glasses and DriversLic - they could easily have been misplaced in the process and not stolen.

 

Medical bill. Sure it sucks, but medical charges at sea can be high.

 

Delivery to door vs knocking on door. Okay, poor choice by somebody, but then again, maybe they opted to NOT knock on the door of a widow.

[NLH Arizona]

What's really sad is the OP did not ask anyone for ANY advice NOR did she say she didn't believe NCL had a right to bill her for medical services. THAT is the problem, no one really read her post and understood what she was trying to say. She did not post "Do you think I should have taken the insurance?", "Does anyone want to pay my bills?", "How dare NCL for billing me!!" "Why didn't the other passengers chip in and pay my bill?!!" THIS is what I took from her post:

 

1) My husband tragically and suddenly passed away on our vacation. (Not sure about anyone else, but I would be shocked, extremely emotional and scared if this happened to me.)

2) I was not offered any OPTION of how to handle his remains (stay on the ship, return to Bermuda.) Regardless of the "better' choice, she wasn't given ANY choice.

3) The enormous bill was not delivered to her in person (with sensitivity), but instead was left outside her door (as if she just ran the bill up in the casino or gift shop and it was no biggie.)

4) Her things were packed with such disregard, that she is missing items.

4) She is posting this on a public forum because she is feeling powerless, and wants other people (including maybe NCL) to know what she experienced. And even if NCL doesn't acknowledge her, she'll perhaps have some satisfaction that she shared her story about the way this terrible tragedy was handled.

 

So based on what I took from her post, I am appalled at some of the responses to her in this thread and it is no wonder she hasn't been back!

i believe everyone has said their condolences to the OP and is very sorry that she had do go through this awful situation.

 

But, the OP did say that NCL only cared about money and that she didn't know how she would pay the $9,800. She also thought the NCL should have returned to port and that they stole from her (glasses and husbands license, noted from her other post), because they knew she wasn't going to tip them......sorry, but that is what I got from her post.

[myfuzzy]

I totally agree with the last two posts...Can you imagine, being alone on a ship,when your traveling partner passes away. Here you are alone having to deal with that, plus people you don't even know, overtaking your personal business. It could seem there are some details missing, but then, in that circumstance, you aren't thinking clearly. I would guess, in the cruise industry, they have protocol for probably every scenerio that could possibly happen at sea. Due to them not disembarking the couple in Bermuda, they did have the couples interest as priority and therefore due to perhaps Bermudas "laws", they could not disembark them and therefore continued on with the itinerary. Could you imagine yourselves being disembarked in a foreign country with a deceased loved one, having to arrange flights and other necessary arrangements on your own. I think not. Hopefully, she was able to phone loved ones at home, then they could arrange everything to be met at the ship. As for the costs, yes, they do add up, quickly and they must be paid. When my dad passed away, none of us had any money, we were dirt poor, but the business put us on the payment plan, and it took a couple of years, but gradually the bills got paid. As I said in my previous post, if she doesn't have an attorney, she should get one, to make sure all the details were indeed handled properly. I hope she has family members who are looking our for her well being.

 

Regarding the missing items - just the drivers license? Was it in a wallet? Did they take it for identification, what about the passport? As for the glasses.....we lost a loved on in a snowstorm a few years ago. He was trapped in his vehicle, which was buried in snow. When arrangements were being made, it was noted that his glasses were missing as well, it did take a few days, but someone luckily did find them.

 

As a side note, this happened in August and she has come back here close to Christmas, she could be looking for "company" to get her through this difficult time.

[BostonGal35]

we dont know if OP had a passport. if she did not have a passport, then i dont think they could give her the choice to remain in a foreign country.

 

if the crew did want to steal to make up for no tip as the OP assumes, why would they take a license and glasses? wouldnt they steal more valuable items?

 

very sad situation all around... but as others said, when you sail without insurances, understand the risks, even if the possibility of something happening seems highly unlikely. even on land, one hospital stay can bankrupt you without insurance.

[oldguysandgalls]

Although no amount of advise and words of comfort will ever erase your immeasurable shock and grief, please accept our deepest condolences with the passing away of your husband.

 

The manner in which you were treated is inexcusable and we do hope NCL will extend a compassionate hand to ease your burden.

 

Sincerely,

Oldguysandgalls

[1stimecruiser]

To Karuze,

 

While no amount of advice and words of comfort will ever erase your shock and grief please accept our deepest condolences with the passing of your dear husband.

 

If you need a place to vent and a keyboard to cry on we (your cruisecritic family) will always be here for you!

 

Sincerely,

Wanda & Mike

[fshagan]

I am amazed at how many think travel insurance is the answer.

 

Travel insurance does not solve the medical problems and eventual death. (it only reduces the dollars)

 

Travel insurance does not resolve the issue of having to travel back to NYC with a deceased husband.

 

Travel insurance probably would not fix the loss of theft from crew packing. (might help, but forms, proof, hassle, pain, etc?)

 

Her husband died. Nobody can fix that.

 

His or her complaint is that NCL treated her shabbily, and that they gave her a bill for nearly $10,000. Of course the major horror is that his or her husband suddenly dropped dead. But the post here is not complaining about his death, but the treatment he or she received after his death, and the bill.

 

There is no way to buy insurance to be treated decently when tragedy happens. We would all hope it would come from the cruise line as part of their contingency for these things happening, especially because hundreds of deaths happen on cruise ships each year. They must have a process in place. It doesn't sound like the process was followed, or it was flawed. The treatment is inexcusable. Of course. But is there anything you can tell others to do to avoid this treatment? No, of course not. It's a contingency you cannot plan for.

 

The OP is probably hoping that NCL zeros out the bill because he or she was treated shabbily. I hope that happens, but I wouldn't count on it, and we can't tell others that's a good strategy.

 

But you can buy insurance for the financial loss. It is for these exact situations. They didn't think they needed it because they were healthy. But often the first sign of medical trouble is death. While insurance doesn't bring back the OPs husband, the cautionary tale is important for the rest of us. That's the only value in this thread after condolences are given. And they, too, cannot bring back his or her husband.

[esm54687]

While the OP's husband passing is very tragic and sad...... I would remind everyone who is immediately persecuting NCL for the "mis-handling" of this situation that there is always 3 sides to a story.... Party 1 version .... Party 2 version ... and the truth.

 

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[garycarla]

While the OP's husband passing is very tragic and sad...... I would remind everyone who is immediately persecuting NCL for the "mis-handling" of this situation that there is always 3 sides to a story.... Party 1 version .... Party 2 version ... and the truth.

 

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So very true.

 

Though in this case, if the Party 1 version is 100% accurate, it does not look like NCL was that bad in this situation. Medical expense is medical expense. Bills are delivered by somebody that does not even look at them. Two small items got "lost". NCL made a very good decision to take the body back to the United States.

[Barb Nahoumi]

OP, I am so very sorry for your tragic loss.

 

Although NCL probably made the right decision to keep you on board for the return trip, they should have explained it to you. Staff should have sat with you, and not left you alone. Maybe the one who slid the bill under the door, did not want to disturb you or was afraid to face you with it.

 

Perhaps in haste, the glasses and licence fell to the floor under furniture. These don't appear to be items to steal.

 

Again, my deepest sympathies to you and your loved ones. And as another poster stated, your Cruise Critic family is here for you.

[esm54687]

So very true.

 

Though in this case, if the Party 1 version is 100% accurate, it does not look like NCL was that bad in this situation. Medical expense is medical expense. Bills are delivered by somebody that does not even look at them. Two small items got "lost". NCL made a very good decision to take the body back to the United States.

"if" and "100%" are the key words.... completely changes the narrative if changed to "if 75% accurate" and the license was placed in the medical paperwork for customs and the OP never noticed it or the glasses were packed and the OP was looking for her passport and accidentally left the glasses on the dresser or are still in the side compartment of her luggage....... I find items from my last cruise while packing for my next..... or maybe the bill was delivered face to face but it doesn't fit the sympathetic story the OP wants to portray. Maybe her "do not disturb" light was on and NCL respected her mourning and let her grieve but still had to give her the bill......

 

Dare I even say the events are 0% true...... it wouldn't be the first time a person posted a story to watch the frenzy for entertainment purposes

 

Again, I'm not making light of a tragedy but people are ready to start a GFM page on the word of an anonymous poster and slam NCL for events that may have never taken place.....

 

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[pcakes122]

So very true.

 

Though in this case, if the Party 1 version is 100% accurate, it does not look like NCL was that bad in this situation. Medical expense is medical expense. Bills are delivered by somebody that does not even look at them. Two small items got "lost". NCL made a very good decision to take the body back to the United States.

Here is an example of how NCL treated another death at sea. Although the circumstances are not the same, it seems to me that NCL "hand-held" this family throughout the entire ordeal and made them feel acknowledged and supported (which I greatly applaud!) I hope the disparity in treatment is not related to the fact that this other family was travelling in an Owner's Suite.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=33296024&postcount=1

 

Again, what I took away from the original post is that the OP felt alone and unsupported, not that they disputed the reality of medical bills, etc.

[ColeThornton]

A Cruise Critic article related to this subject.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1631

Edited December 16, 2017 by ColeThornton

[elhenry]

Here is an example of how NCL treated another death at sea. Although the circumstances are not the same, it seems to me that NCL "hand-held" this family throughout the entire ordeal and made them feel acknowledged and supported (which I greatly applaud!) I hope the disparity in treatment is not related to the fact that this other family was travelling in an Owner's Suite.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=33296024&postcount=1

 

Again, what I took away from the original post is that the OP felt alone and unsupported, not that they disputed the reality of medical bills, etc.

 

I am the OP from the quoted post. NCL was certainly more than caring in our circumstance, but I would hope that it was not due to the cabin (FWIW, I was in the "normal" adjoining one). Certainly, other than the butler, everyone who reached out to us had no reason to do so because of the cabin.

 

My heart goes out to the OP, and to be alone in that circumstance, rather than to be with other friends and family, would indeed be crushing. My sympathies on your loss.

 

I am not sure how much NCL could have done about the fact that one would be alone for the remainder of the cruise. They were extraordinarily helpful to us through most of the "process", but of course the staff was not with us for most of the time we remained on this ship; for that we had each other.

 

Also, I must echo the other posters who said that to debark in Bermuda under those circumstances would have made a tragic situation worse. I also had a coworker whose father died while on vacation in Italy (remarkable that our small office had two members of the same sad club). It took weeks and weeks and weeks to bring his remains home. I remain grateful that the next port of call for my father was an American one.

 

And the takeaway is indeed, insurance. My parents were older at the time my father died, but we started cruising when I was 29 and in peak health, and I still signed up for insurance.

 

Again, OP, I am very sorry for your loss.

[sprint180]

...

Edited December 18, 2017 by sprint180

[BirdTravels]

I am amazed at how many think travel insurance is the answer.

 

Travel insurance does not solve the medical problems and eventual death. (it only reduces the dollars)

 

Travel insurance does not resolve the issue of having to travel back to NYC with a deceased husband.

 

Travel insurance probably would not fix the loss of theft from crew packing. (might help, but forms, proof, hassle, pain, etc?)

 

Her husband died. Nobody can fix that.

But, the OP said that the only she cared about was money,,, which insurance will help.

[sanger727]

My issue with the OP is two fold - clearly the posters issue is primarily about money. Shock at the huge bill, she only signed an agreement to treat in the hopes they could save his life and now she doesn’t have the money to pay for it. This would happen if the issue had happened at home and if the person went to a hospital. A final hospital bill isn’t forgiven because the person died.

 

As far as how she was treated poorly; I’m sorry to tell you that when a loved one passes away suddenly, it’s never easy or pleasant. I’m in law enforcement and deal with this often. You will get very few choices in the matter and IF you are allowed to have the body picked up by a funeral home, you have to make a decision on the spot while you are still processing the death.

 

While the police are onscene you may be unable to see, touch, or examine the body. You will get no choice in whether or not an autopsy is done. You will get no choice in whether or not the death is investigated. And if the death is investigated they will take the body, whether or not you want that to happen. And the entire encounter will be treated with a very business like atmosphere - because, to the people conducting the investigation, it is business. Sudden deaths involve a ton of protocol due to the possibility of it not being a natural death.

 

 

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[graphicguy]

OP...as others have offered, I’m sincerely sorry to hear of your husband’s passing.

 

My own Father passed away unexpectedly while visiting Europe several years ago, so I’m keenly aware of what it costs to transport a family member’s remains back home (actually quite a bit more than what you were charged).

 

Nothing anyone here can say to temper your grief. Just like there would be nothing anyone on board the cruise could say to take away the hurt. They don’t know you. You don’t know them.

 

As far as “theft” of personal affects is concerned, I would ask NCL if they had any record of those things. Based on what you said was missing, I seriously doubt anyone would steal those personal things. In all frankness, they were probably lost in the shuffle.

 

Having been through something similar, the only advice I can offer, every day do something that makes you smile a bit. Hopefully, as some point, you’ll find more to smile about than to cry or be upset about.

[Twinzma]

Not to be disrespectful but the expectation of no medical bills when a patient dies is no where close to reality. You would have the same scenario at any hospital. It is an insurance issue.

 

ONLY in common law state. When my husband passes, I am not responsible for any of his debt. Now if it is a joint account yes I am also responsible. We are in the process of closing joint accounts and refinancing our truck under his name only. This will include is medical bills as well. I am working closely now with our estate attorney so in the end. They don't rob me of the little life insurance he is leaving us.

[gambit57]

ONLY in common law state. When my husband passes, I am not responsible for any of his debt. Now if it is a joint account yes I am also responsible. We are in the process of closing joint accounts and refinancing our truck under his name only. This will include is medical bills as well. I am working closely now with our estate attorney so in the end. They don't rob me of the little life insurance he is leaving us.

 

I think you mean "community property" instead of "common law", but otherwise, good point.

[sanger727]

ONLY in common law state. When my husband passes, I am not responsible for any of his debt. Now if it is a joint account yes I am also responsible. We are in the process of closing joint accounts and refinancing our truck under his name only. This will include is medical bills as well. I am working closely now with our estate attorney so in the end. They don't rob me of the little life insurance he is leaving us.

 

 

 

Yes to the community property state. Now, since you have a truck in his name, that plus any other assets in his name would be subject to collections for any outstanding bills when he passes.

 

 

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[Nursebay]

Firstly, let me say to the OP that I am truly sorry for your loss. I have been there. My husband became severely ill while on our 25th anniversary cruise to South America. We had sailed from Lima and were headed north. We called the medical centre in the wee hours of the morning and the medical staff immediately took action, doing batteries of tests, and after 2 hours I was advised that his condition was life threatening. He required immediate surgery. They also advised me that the Captain and head office administration had been notified and that arrangements were being made to have us set ashore and taken immediately to a really good hospital. The ship came to an abrupt stop shortly after, in a port of call which was not on the itinerary, the Staff Captain himself manned the lifeboat, and an ambulance was waiting on the dock and off we went. We were met by port agents and from then on began a roller coaster four days. Unfortunately, due to my husband's severe condition, he did not survive the ordeal. The rest of the details are not important to this thread. What I do want to say is that the cruise line did charge me for the medical attention my husband received on board - blood tests, ultrasound, X-rays, treatments...which is rightly so....and the total cost was around $2,000. I did have insurance so all the costs I incurred over the four days on and off the ship, were covered (except for translation fees). I was not charged anything for the ship having to stop, or for the transfer to the hospital by ambulance, or for the port agents staying with me 24 hours per day for 4 days, the cruise line must have covered all these costs because I never saw a bill for any of that. They also allowed anyone from the ship (there was still a week left of the cruise) who wanted to call me in Peru to call at no charge. My question would be: if your husband died instantly, what do the $9,800 charges cover? To try and shock him or administer a drug (assuming a heart attack or stroke)? Those charges seem excessive.

 

 

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I can tell you from a medical provider standpoint, you got off cheap for only $2000 for all the tests they did on your husband, I am sorry for your loss and it sounds like your husband got a fair shake, but it was sadly still a bad ending.

 

As for the OP, I am not sure what the point of her re-posting this thread? It was posted in December? Its tragic and sad, but why repost again? It does sound like she is searching for something, just not sure what? Offers of money? Someone to come in and say they will pay the bill? This is the wrong place, write to NCL. Medical bills are horrifically expensive. When my dad had his first heart attack his bill came to $100,000. YES you read that right and there was no open heart surgery that time. My husband went to the ER for stomach pain and his bill came to over $17,000.

For some one to drop dead that fast, it sounds like cardiac in origin or an anurism. very sad for the bill, but they don't go away just because your husband died.

[AmazedByCruising]

I can tell you from a medical provider standpoint, you got off cheap for only $2000 for all the tests they did on your husband, I am sorry for your loss and it sounds like your husband got a fair shake, but it was sadly still a bad ending.

 

For some one to drop dead that fast, it sounds like cardiac in origin or an anurism. very sad for the bill, but they don't go away just because your husband died.

 

I have been to Medical, spent more than 2 hours, outside office hours, a doctor and a nurse were there the whole time, had quite a few tests, and the total bill was less than $700. When reviewing the bill, I noticed an item "professional nursing fee" at 32.76/hour. The hairdresser probably costs more.

 

So $9800 strikes me as a bit over the top. And the ship could have been a lot nicer to the OP.

[dd likes to cruise]

So $9800 strikes me as a bit over the top. And the ship could have been a lot nicer to the OP.

 

We really don't know if the ship was nice or not. OP didn't give details to anything other than the bill really.

 

Sure someone slipped that large bill under the door. That could have been done in a better way but probably just normal procedures - Computer prints bills, person delivers. Said person should not be reading each one. Yes, someone should have been looking out for her best interest. Making sure she had what she needed, was eating, getting her packed and disembarked. OP did not give us details to any of those things, so we really don't know.