A STORY FROM HELL...and thats EXACTLY what it is...

Travel Insurance is an absolute necessity. From a sick call in the Ships Sick Bay, to something as disasterous as this, Your normal Health Insurance will most likely not cover it.

And all that was EXACTLY what was alluding to, the barrage of bureaucratic bs a traveler can be subjected to in almost every interaction with a foreign "establishment" of almost any type, especially if they're naive, unable to deal with it, or just plain stupid...hmmm...not that any of that happens HERE eh? wonder if the difference in med care (and costs) was a direct result of the insurance situation? no matter...you nailed it all my friend.....hope our string of luck continues...but like they say, "hoping for the best" is no way to invest....or travel..."prepare for the worst..." is better...which includes leaving a way to "get out of dodge"...(if possible)....mebbe I should put up a link to this story every time someone complaons about "the cost" of booking with the cruise line"...or how much "cheaper and better" using a local can be....or how they "never had a problem.."until, like you say...they do....

I feel for these people, and I hope things work out for the best for them.

I decided a long time ago to only book shore excursions through the cruise line and never use a 3rd party. It may cost a few buck more, but it offers an additional layer of protection and accountability.

Also, I ALWAYS purchase travel insurance that has a heavy emphasis on medical emergency. I have had numerous people tell me that's a waste of money. My response is "yes it is.... until it isn't".

Finally, IMO a passport is essential, even on closed loop cruises. You just never know if or when a situation will arise that will make it possible to quickly cut short the trip and renter the US.

I have never had an incident on any shore excursion, or needed to use my travel insurance, or had to use my passport to unexpectantly rush back to the country (Thank God), but having all those extra layers of protection just gives me a bit more peace of mind to enjoy my vacation and not have to endure what those women are going through.

I opined many times about what happens when things go terribly wrong across anybody's pond but your own.

Ther is a reason the ship gives this warning. Not the first and probably not the last. Happy they are alive and that they were able to reach family.