Aussie couple faces cruise nightmare during long-awaited getaway

A long-anticipated holiday at sea took a devastating turn for an Australian couple after what began as a generous gift from a loved one.

What was meant to be a relaxing escape along the coast quickly shifted into a profoundly emotional experience no one saw coming.

Now, questions linger over how such a hopeful journey could end abruptly.


Glenn Stein, a man described by his family as brimming with the excitement of a 'kid at Christmas,' faced a serious medical emergency just three days into their voyage aboard the Carnival Luminosa.

The situation quickly escalated, and despite receiving immediate attention onboard, his condition deteriorated.

In a desperate bid to save his life, Mr. Stein was airlifted from the ship by an emergency helicopter to Bundaberg Hospital.


1744082324553.png
Glenn Stein was tragically lost after a medical emergency on the Carnival Luminosa. Credit: GoFundMe


Tragically, he passed away shortly after, leaving his family in a state of shock and heartbreak.

The loss of Glenn Stein has been a devastating blow to his family, particularly to his wife, Beverley, with whom he shared more than 50 years of marriage.

The couple, described as classic Aussie battlers who always put others first, were living a dream that turned into an unimaginable loss.


The family's grief is compounded by the financial burden that has suddenly been thrust upon them.

The medical costs from the cruise, the expense of the emergency life flight helicopter, funeral expenses, and the cost of transporting Glenn’s body back to Brisbane have mounted into the thousands.

To alleviate some of the financial strain, the family has set up a fundraiser, asking for donations instead of flowers.

Their daughter-in-law, Sarah, has highlighted the immense load Beverley now carries, not only dealing with the loss of her lifelong partner but also facing massive medical bills.

The fundraiser has seen a heartwarming response, with more than $6,000 raised to support Beverley as she navigates life without Glenn.

The incident has also resonated with fellow passengers on the Carnival Luminosa, with one recalling their own distressing experience of leaving a cruise via ambulance.


The ship, which can accommodate up to 2,260 passengers, has a range of amenities, including a steakhouse, rum bar, piano bar, comedy club, and spa.

Having sailed initially in Europe, the Carnival Luminosa was transferred to Australia in 2022 and is based out of Brisbane.

This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of life's unpredictability and the importance of being prepared for emergencies, especially while traveling.

It also highlights the need for comprehensive travel insurance to cover unexpected medical emergencies and repatriation costs.

Our hearts go out to the Stein family during this difficult time, and we encourage our community to consider supporting them through their fundraiser.


In other news, a norovirus outbreak on P&O's Iona sickened hundreds, disrupting a Northern Europe cruise.

The ship stayed offshore near Belgium while the crew isolated cases and limited movement onboard. You can read more about it here.

Key Takeaways
  • Glenn Stein tragically passed away following a serious medical emergency on the Carnival Luminosa cruise ship.
  • The cruise was a gift from their son, intended to give his parents, Glenn and Beverley Stein, a relaxing break.
  • The family now faces significant medical and funeral expenses, with a fundraiser set up to assist them.
  • Fellow passengers on the cruise ship were shocked by the medical emergency, and the family is seeking donations to help with the unexpected costs.
Have you ever encountered an emergency while on a cruise? How did the situation unfold, and what advice would you give to others to prepare for such events? Your insights could be invaluable to fellow travelers and may help prevent another family from facing a similar ordeal.
 

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
Last year we did a 3 day cruise and I took travel insurance. People assume because you are in Australian waters you are covered by medicare. It's all the other expenses like Lifeflight etc that aren't covered by medicare. Such a sad way for their holiday to end
Medicare does NOT in fact cover Australians off-shore on cruises. You should always take out travel insurance.
 
This is really a sad story. One question, is if this couple had travel insurance. Once you are on the water, and leave the port, you must have travel insurance. All expenses would be covered, including medical evacuation from the ship, helicopter, transfers and medical expenses. All covered. It’s something we all need to be aware of, and never assume that you are covered.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: PattiB and Gazzboy
Be sure to read everything that the Travel Insurance covers. One time that I took out Travel Insurance, it didn’t cover medical expenses. On that particular holiday, I needed an ambulance to take me to hospital. (Heart rate was 269 bpm with extremely low BP.) I paid CAD$400 for the ambulance and CAD$800 for my 2 - 3 hrs in the ED.

The medical team insisted I stay but I signed a waiver and left. That was after I was told that I’d be looking at an estimated CAD$10,000 just for tests and consultations with “top” cardiologists.

That was in December 2018. I’m still alive and kicking. 😀
 
Yep, travel insurance is essential - no one, no matter how healthy you look or think you are - tragedy, medical issues or otherwise is not guaranteed to ANYONE.
 
Be sure to read everything that the Travel Insurance covers. One time that I took out Travel Insurance, it didn’t cover medical expenses. On that particular holiday, I needed an ambulance to take me to hospital. (Heart rate was 269 bpm with extremely low BP.) I paid CAD$400 for the ambulance and CAD$800 for my 2 - 3 hrs in the ED.

The medical team insisted I stay but I signed a waiver and left. That was after I was told that I’d be looking at an estimated CAD$10,000 just for tests and consultations with “top” cardiologists.

That was in December 2018. I’m still alive and kicking. 😀
I hope you went for a heart check when you got back….
 
  • Like
Reactions: Littleboy8
I did but the two different cardiologists I’ve seen say there’s nothing wrong. Seems they only take notice if I’m having an “episode”. That’s despite there were heart problems with both of my parents while they were alive. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Oh…..sorry to hear that. My cardiologist at the Wexford Centre is really good…..he can be a bit blunt sometimes but he never takes any concern I have lightly and I do trust what he says…
 
  • Like
Reactions: Littleboy8 and DLHM

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×