Sticker shock should not be part of the cruise experience

It’s a fact: some people just aren’t ready for a cruise and get seasick.

Hey, you can only take a limited amount of Dramamine.

So imagine the surprise of a woman who got sick on a cruise on her first day and went to the infirmary and was presented with a bill for $2,000. This is an extremely expensive treatment for motion sickness.

And it’s only getting worse.

A national news show recently aired a report in which a passenger had a $56,000 medical bill on board. Sorry, but sticker shock shouldn’t be part of the cruise experience. It’s one thing to consume too much alcohol, for example, and to do it to yourself. It’s another thing to be seasick.

I am very much in favor of the free enterprise system. And you should have to pay a fee to use the hospital on a cruise ship, just like you would when you are in your physical home. They offer a service and you should pay for that service.

But not as much.

Frankly, a lot of it should be included in your cruise price. It doesn’t have to be piecemeal or a la carte. For example, I live in an apartment complex where things like valet, trash service, pool, and a gym are all included in the rent. It’s my fault for not using these things because I’m already paying for them.

Now, I’m not saying to be a hypochondriac and run to the ship’s hospital every time you feel pain, but it’s comforting to know that it’s part of your fare and it’s there. And yes, there is an expectation that there will be a charge for using the facilities, just like it costs to use the emergency room.

But $2,000 is ridiculous for seasickness.

It’s a cruise ship. Of course, some people will get sick. There needs to be some sort of realistic expectation from the cruise lines. Or maybe your own medical insurance should be extended to a cruise ship.

But with the current state of the healthcare industry, that’s a topic for a whole other story.

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