Minnesota man wins free Norwegian cruise vacation -- then catches the flu onboard and gets hit with $47K medical bill
Share and Follow

His luck went overboard.

A man from Minnesota was thrilled to win a free week-long cruise vacation to the Caribbean for himself and his girlfriend. Unfortunately, his excitement was short-lived when he caught the flu onboard and ended up facing a staggering medical bill of $47,000.

Mike Cameron and his girlfriend Tamra Masterman won a free Norwegian cruise trip that set sail out of Miami on Jan 5, according to Fox 9.

But what started as a dream trip to the tropical destination quickly went awry when Cameron, of Braham, Minn., came down with the flu.

The ailing passenger sought treatment at the medical center onboard the Norwegian Encore ship and recovered three days later.

As the couple’s tour of the Caribbean came to an end, Cameron was shocked to learn he was stuck with the nearly $50,000 medical bill.

“To turn around the day we are leaving and get handed a $47,000 bill I just didn’t even know what to do,” he told the local news station last week.

Cameron said the bill came as a shock as crew members assured him not to worry as he received treatment.

“Everyone in the medical ward kept saying ‘Don’t worry you have $20,000 coverage, you’ll be just fine’.”

The cruise line maxed out two credit cards Cameron had on file and he still owes $21,000, the station reported.

“You start thinking, ‘Are you going to lose your house, are you going to lose your cars’?” Masterman added.

Despite having purchased travel insurance from the cruise line that covered expenses up to $20,000, and having health insurance, the man, Cameron, found himself in a difficult situation. Both insurance providers were pointing fingers at each other, leaving him in a frustrating limbo.

According to Cameron, “The traveler’s insurance doesn’t want to pay it until we run it by our health insurance. The health insurance doesn’t want to pay it because it’s abroad.” The conflicting responses have left him unsure of how to resolve the hefty medical bill.

Stuck in limbo, Cameron isn’t sure how he’ll afford the steep bill.

“I don’t know how I’m ever going to pay them off, I’m going to have to, but, I don’t know how,” he told Fox 9.

The couple said the bill accompanied a letter from Norwegian stating its pricing was “closely comparable to other cruise lines and is what we believe to be fair and reasonable.”

A spokesperson for the cruise line didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Putin claims 'troops are advancing,' will achieve goals as EU approves massive Ukraine loan

Putin Asserts Troop Progress as EU Sanctions Historic $50 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted on Friday that Russian forces are making…
Australian authorities release 7 men detained over possible violent plot in wake of Bondi Beach shooting

Australian Authorities Release Seven Men Detained in Connection with Potential Violent Plot Following Bondi Beach Shooting

In a recent development from Australia, seven men who had been detained…
BRYONY GORDON: I know why so many have taken against Sydney Sweeney

Why Sydney Sweeney is Sparking So Much Controversy

The most contentious aspect of Sydney Sweeney may surprise you. It’s not…
Florida executes man convicted of killing airman and girlfriend in 1987 home invasion

Florida Carries Out Execution for 1987 Home Invasion Murders: Justice Served for Airman and Girlfriend

In Florida, the state carried out the execution of a man on…
FILE - Cleophus Cooksey Jr., accused of killing eight people over a three-week span in late 2017, listens during his trial in Maricopa County Superior Court, May 5, 2025, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool, File )

Arizona Jury Hands Down Death Sentence for 2017 Metro Phoenix Serial Killer

PHOENIX (AP) — In a significant conclusion to a lengthy legal battle,…
Teen survives sepsis, four amputations and makes it to prom as queen

Teen Overcomes Sepsis and Amputations to Become Prom Queen

“I don’t have my long legs anymore.” These poignant words were…
Texas border patrol arrest indivdual after exposing human smuggling with 17 illegal aliens in home

Texas Border Patrol Uncovers Human Smuggling Operation, Arrests Individual and Rescues 17 Migrants from Residence

Authorities have announced the discovery of a suspected human smuggling ring operating…
FILE - A lectern awaits the arrival of House Democrats to speak on the health care funding fight on the steps of the House at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Top Priorities for the U.S. Government in 2026: Insights from the Latest AP-NORC Poll

WASHINGTON (AP) — Julia Dvorak is increasingly anxious about her 83-year-old mother’s…