Cruise Radio News Story Posted This Morning

[BirdTravels]

50 minutes ago, hallux said:

Provided you HAVE a passport...

 

2 minutes ago, hallux said:

That was the point of my comment.

 

 

Having a passport is irrelevant. You can travel from Mexico to the US without a passport... just take more effort. You are not stranded for the rest of your life. 

 

The most recent NCL example I can remember is the ill fated Norwegian Escape last year that ran aground and punched a hole in her hull in the Dominical Republic. All passengers (with and without passports) were allowed to fly back to the US. 

Edited September 19, 2023 by BirdTravels

[Babr]

Just now, BirdTravels said:

Most travel insurance does not pay to "transfer you to a better hospital". It pays to get you to the closest hospital. If you want to get from Mexico back home, that is on your own nickel 

Medical evacuation coverage in a comprehensive travel policy provides for hospital to hospital transfer if it is medically necessary. That, too, is the nearest one; it does not necessarily mean an air ambulance home. But it will pay to fly you home by commercial air when you have recovered enough to travel, even if it means first class with a medical escort.

[DCGuy64]

36 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

And I paid for it with my military service.  Thank you.

No doubt, and a simple "thank you" on my part would never be sufficient. It was a privilege and honor to sing, as I did, at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. The annual Evensong for the military services in November was always a highlight for me. Thank you for your service, you've definitely earned your stripes.

[www3traveler]

3 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

No doubt, and a simple "thank you" on my part would never be sufficient. It was a privilege and honor to sing, as I did, at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. The annual Evensong for the military services in November was always a highlight for me. Thank you for your service, you've definitely earned your stripes.

WOW!!!  THANK YOU for your service.

[julig22]

1 hour ago, Always Cruising said:

You might check - I don't think it does.  I know my plan doesn't, and friends with varying types of Advantage plan have no coverage abroad also

Every medicare advantage plan is different.  I have multiple retiree plans through my former employer and the one I chose treats international as out of network, so just a slightly higher co-pay.

[DCGuy64]

6 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

WOW!!!  THANK YOU for your service.

Aw, thanks. 😊 That was a great gig, 1996-2018. I still miss it.

[julig22]

18 minutes ago, hallux said:

That was the point of my comment.

I usually snap a picture of that info using my phone.  You're right, though, rookie cruisers may not have the foresight.

On a couple of recent cruises, the Freestyle Daily specifically advised passengers to take a picture of the port information with their phone if they were going ashore. 

But of course, that assumes people actually read the instructions,,,,

[Capitan Obvious]

1 hour ago, hallux said:

Provided you HAVE a passport...

 

Well, if someone is foolish enough to a) not have one, and b) travel without one, then only the person responsible for the decision has to deal with the consequences. It is hard to feel sorry for the "I'll take my chances" crowd.

 

1 hour ago, DCGuy64 said:

That argument won't hold water. You could say the same for ANY country overseas, and I've never had a credit card turned down in Europe, South America or Asia-or Mexico, for that matter!

 

Actually, it is this ^ argument that won't hold water. You can't possibly be that myopic to believe that your personal experience will be the exact same experience that everyone else has. I can't image that calling the hospital in Mexico and telling the that "DCGuy64 on Cruise Critic has NEVER had a credit card turned down in a foreign country" will make them change their policy.

 

[dbrown84]

I find it pretty funny all the post knocking them for not having a passport.  would having a passport actually help them get out of the hospital???  It has absolutely nothing to do with their current problem.  I would love see one example of a person that cruised without a passport only to never been allowed to return to the US.  For real people, it's not the end of the world.  It's also possible that you can die in a car accident.  does that mean everyone should stop driving????

[BirdTravels]

44 minutes ago, Babr said:

Medical evacuation coverage in a comprehensive travel policy provides for hospital to hospital transfer if it is medically necessary. That, too, is the nearest one; it does not necessarily mean an air ambulance home. But it will pay to fly you home by commercial air when you have recovered enough to travel, even if it means first class with a medical escort.

I think that you are somewhat agreeing that "get me home to a better hospital" is not likely to be medically necessary and therefore excluded. 

 

Booking a flight home is a trip disruption. Most travel insurance has very low coverage for trip disruption. Maybe you're mostly covered.... or not. The few times I have filed trip disruption claims, all of my expenses were not covered because I capped out. 

[durberville]

59 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Insurance reimburses you for cost incurred. You have to be able to pay the bill,,, first. 

That is indeed true and if their mother is trying to raise funds, it sounds like no one, even family,  has enough credit to pay the hospital bill or flights home.  Yikes, that’s risky travel. 🫤

[Babr]

Just now, BirdTravels said:

I think that you are somewhat agreeing that "get me home to a better hospital" is not likely to be medically necessary and therefore excluded. 

 

Booking a flight home is a trip disruption. Most travel insurance has very low coverage for trip disruption. Maybe you're mostly covered.... or not. The few times I have filed trip disruption claims, all of my expenses were not covered because I capped out. 

In this case, it appears the first hospital is capable of handling the injuries  - if it would. My initial remarks were addressed to people who rely solely on their US healthcare policies when they travel. There are additional expenses besides medical that will not be covered in case of illness or injury.

 

Trip Interruption is a separate issue. Any policy I’ve ever seen covers at least 100% of trip cost - many cover 150% - to allow for reimbursement of the unused portion of your trip plus the cost to get home. I suppose it is possible to max out depending on the refund amount due and the cost of a return ticket.

[RocketMan275]

21 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

I find it pretty funny all the post knocking them for not having a passport.  would having a passport actually help them get out of the hospital???  It has absolutely nothing to do with their current problem.  I would love see one example of a person that cruised without a passport only to never been allowed to return to the US.  For real people, it's not the end of the world.  It's also possible that you can die in a car accident.  does that mean everyone should stop driving????

Having a passport certainly makes it easier to return to the US.  And, y our incurring additional expenses while you're waiting approval to return.  All of that can easily be avoided if one takes the time to apply.  A passport is $130.  Small change to avoid this predicament.  The claim that some don't have the $130 but have the cash to travel is ridiculous. 

[hallux]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Having a passport is irrelevant. You can travel from Mexico to the US without a passport... just take more effort. You are not stranded for the rest of your life. 

this was NOT the point of my comment.  I isolated in my initial comment that you quoted that the person I quoted indicated that ship security will go to your cabin and locate (if possible) your passport and other ID to leave with the port agent.  I was just commenting that they would get your passport if you actually have one.

 

I'm well aware that it's possible to cruise to Mexico and other destinations without a passport, but some people seem to be so focused on proving they know more than others that they take comments out of context and then have to prove their knowledge by saying that person is wrong...

[brookie848]

3 hours ago, www3traveler said:

The way I read the story because this was a closed loop cruise, the girls did not have passports.  Yes, things are usually gathered and taken to the Port Agent's office, but if these girls werre fairly new to cruising, would they have known that? How many people actually take notice about the Port Agent's Office printed in the newsletter or take the newsletter with them when they go off ship?

I take a picture of this information before we get off the ship...just in case.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Many fail to remember that young people are “immortal”, nothing is ever going to happen to them even though we read about bad decisions by youth resulting in bad consequences.  Add to that, peer pressure is huge in that age group and most likely they had friends who had sailed with BC only and no problem, and what young healthy person thinks they need insurance - that’s for old, sick people,mright.

 

So they made a poor decision to believe the sail sans passport, they failed to buy travel insurance, and they rented a scooter.   They had the trifecta of the decision/consequence lotto.

 

I feel for these girls.  Last I read one was discharged but the other was being held until her bill was paid.  She will get home and I’m sure there is a consulate in Mexico that will aid her getting her through immigration.  It will take time and time is going to be money for her.   
 

I

[DrUrsula]

9 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Cruise Radio is reporting that two young ladies from Tampa on a Carnival cruise ship are stuck In Cozumel without passports or medical insurance.  The girls were in an accident while riding scooters, one requiring hospitalization.  Hospital says they can not leave without paying the bill.  The ship did not know that they had been in accident and left without them.  

Lessons to be learned (I hope): Even on a closed-loop cruise, something could happen requiring your passport

                                                   Do not rent scooters in Cozumel

                                                   US health insurance does not cover outside of the US especially Medicare or Medicare supplement insurance

Mom is now trying to raise enough money to get herself to Cozumel to the girls and make arrangements to get them home (Certainly not fair to Mom)

 

I hope there will be a happy ending to this sad tale

                                                   

Our health insurance covers our children when out of the country as long as they are students- even grad students. It does not cover us out of the country.

Some medicare advantage plans cover out of country medical care( my mom's does).

 

[skittl1321]

I travel to Cozumel semi-frequently by air. 

Every single time we are leaving there is someone there who is going through the process of flying home without a passport.  It's standard for them. It takes a long time, there is a lot of rigamarole, but it happens probably daily.  Not having a passport doesn't mean you can never come back to the US.

 

The passport is not these girls problem.  The problem is the inability to pay the medical bill.  (And if they are well enough to fly on a commercial airline without a medical escort. Some airlines may refuse them passage depending on their condition. That's why you need travel insurance with medical evacuation to your home country.) 

 

 

[yakcruiser]

It would be easy for me in my advanced age to criticize these young girls for not having their passports and travel insurance but my younger self would not have even considered such things.

[gizfish]

8 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

I think that you are somewhat agreeing that "get me home to a better hospital" is not likely to be medically necessary and therefore excluded. 

 

Booking a flight home is a trip disruption. Most travel insurance has very low coverage for trip disruption. Maybe you're mostly covered.... or not. The few times I have filed trip disruption claims, all of my expenses were not covered because I capped out. 

Any travel insurance I have purchased in my more than 30 cruises has covered medical evacuation.  That is not at all trip disruption.  The real important point to buying travel insurance is the medical benefits.  The couple of thousand for the actual trip is nothing compared to the hundreds of thousands medical bills and evacuation  can cost.

[ontheweb]

7 hours ago, gizfish said:

Any travel insurance I have purchased in my more than 30 cruises has covered medical evacuation.  That is not at all trip disruption.  The real important point to buying travel insurance is the medical benefits.  The couple of thousand for the actual trip is nothing compared to the hundreds of thousands medical bills and evacuation  can cost.

And in addition you can look at the trip cost as something you can afford. It may be a total bummer to pay it and not get the benefit of the trip, but it will not break you financially. Unfortunately, uncovered medical costs can bankrupt you.

[PegNRay]

18 hours ago, Always Cruising said:

You might check - I don't think it does.  I know my plan doesn't, and friends with varying types of Advantage plan have no coverage abroad also

My Advantage plan does cover me for out of country emergency services and I have double checked this with the insurer.

[Babr]

44 minutes ago, PegNRay said:

My Advantage plan does cover me for out of country emergency services and I have double checked this with the insurer.

Please consider that emergency services alone will not be enough. That does not cover hospitalization beyond what is required to stabilize you nor does it pay for any transportation to get home. It will not pay for your companion’s expenses while waiting for you to recover enough to travel.

[Two Wheels Only]

Most of the points have already been covered....

 

Passport

Travel Insurance

Scooter rental in a foreign country

Credit card with an ample amount available

 

... but at what point do we stop tolerating the use of the term "young people" in these cases? If someone is old enough to travel to foreign countries without a parent or guardian, that person is old enough to understand the importance of every topic brought up in this thread.

 

At the very least, this story should act as a warning to anyone who sees/hears about it.

[mjkacmom]

4 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Most of the points have already been covered....

 

Passport

Travel Insurance

Scooter rental in a foreign country

Credit card with an ample amount available

 

... but at what point do we stop tolerating the use of the term "young people" in these cases? If someone is old enough to travel to foreign countries without a parent or guardian, that person is old enough to understand the importance of every topic brought up in this thread.

 

At the very least, this story should act as a warning to anyone who sees/hears about it.

I think many young people just don’t know what they don’t know. Four of my 20somethings are still on our health insurance, I’m guessing they have no idea is doesn’t work outside of the US. I know I had no idea at that age. Many this age can be pretty broke, maybe able to get funds together for a cheap trip, but if told they don’t need a passport, won’t spend $130 for something most likely not needed, probably don’t know how much harder it makes getting back home if you miss the ship for any reason. Not all young adults have parents who know this information, especially if they don’t travel. The fact that the mom is fundraising for her passport and plane ticket instead of finding a credit card to pay the bills and giving them guidance about getting back home says a lot.