Skip to Content

Hurt on a Bahamian Cruise? Travel Insurance May Save You Tens of Thousands of Dollars

December 2, 2013 Cruise Ship Norovirus

Bahamas Cruise Injury Lawyer.jpgMillions of cruise passengers visit the Bahamas each year on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, NCL, Carnival, Disney, Holland America and Princess’ ships. Though becoming sick or injured is the last thing on travelers’ minds, it does occur with some regularity. This law firm has represented and currently represents many people who were hurt on cruises to the Bahamas. The average traveler is also unaware medical care is limited in the Bahamas and many hospitals are not equipped to handle surgeries. This means if there is a serious emergency the passenger would have to be medically evacuated to the United States by airplane. To complicate the problem, it is the practice of Bahamian hospitals and air ambulances to require upfront payment or a letter from an insurance company guaranteeing payment before they will provide treatment. Depending upon the type of injury, medical bills could reach over $100,000. Many of these injured passengers are unaware their insurance plans do not cover overseas accidents. As a consequence, they are responsible for their medical bills. This has become such a common issue that the United States Embassy in the Bahamas recommends cruise passengers inquire if their insurance covers emergency care outside the United States, and if it does not, the State Department recommends purchasing travel insurance before leaving the country.

If you were hurt or injured on a Bahamian cruise and want to know your legal options, feel free to contact our Miami based board certified cruise attorneys.