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A Minnesota couple's dream vacation turned into a nightmare when a routine illness led to a massive medical bill. Mike Cameron, a truck driver from Braham, and his girlfriend, Tami Masterman, were excited for their weeklong cruise on Norwegian Encore, a trip they had won. It was meant to be a special getaway, especially for Tami, who had recently undergone surgery for lung cancer.

A Shocking Medical Bill for Flu Treatment

However, just days into the trip, Mike fell ill with the flu. His oxygen levels dropped, and he was admitted to the ship's medical ICU. Over the next 63 hours, he received oxygen, IV medications, and other treatments, though he repeatedly asked to be discharged. The couple told FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, they believed they were covered, as Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) staff assured them their travel insurance would take care of up to $20,000 in medical costs.

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That relief quickly vanished when they were handed a $47,638 bill on the final day of the cruise. To make matters worse, Norwegian Cruise Line immediately maxed out both of their credit cards, charging them $26,000 without prior warning. Now, the couple is scrambling to deal with the financial fallout.

Insurance Nightmare

Mike and Tami, like many tourists, bought travel insurance in the hopes that it would shield them in the event of an emergency. However, after returning home, they found themselves stuck in a bureaucratic loop. Until their own health insurance processed the claim, their travel insurance company would not pay for the expenses. But their health insurer declined, stating the treatment was received abroad and not within their network. Meanwhile, interest on the unpaid balance continues to pile up.

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"We didn't even get a chance to pay," Tami told FOX 9. "They just took it out. Maxed our two credit cards out. You start thinking you're going to lose your house, you're going to lose your cars."

Public Outrage and a Growing Fundraiser

After their story aired, frustration over cruise ship medical costs exploded online. Many were stunned that a flu diagnosis could result in such an astronomical bill, especially when the couple had taken steps to ensure they were covered.