Man 'waited three hours and was charged $15k' for support as wife suffered fatal heart attack on cruise

While cruises continue rising in popularity among holidayers, one man has faced the heartbreaking reality of seeing his wife having a fatal medical emergency onboard.

The tragic ordeal experienced by Mohammad Hamza, a passenger from North Olmsted, Ohio, who embarked on a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas with his wife, Julia.

Julia fell sick on the second day of her first cruise. After feeling dizzy and nauseous, she collapsed on the floor in her first-ever heart attack.

The medical team onboard the ship allegedly said Julia was likely to suffer another and she needed to be taken to a hospital right away.

"The doctor immediately said she's going to have another episode of cardiac arrest. She needs to be transported now," Mohammad shared with News 5 Cleveland.

Mohammad Hamza has recalled the heartbreaking ordeal he and his late wife suffered on the ship (News 5 Cleveland)

A shocked Mohammad said he was asked to pay $15,000 (£11,186) in cash to arrange transportation for Julia. Unable to pay, an incredulous Mohammad was left wondering why anyone would ever carry such a sum on a cruise.

After paying with his credit card, Mohammad said his wife's evacuation was subjected to several delays.

"Now, where’s the jet?" Mohammad asked the medical team on the ship.

"Coming in a half hour, coming in two hours, coming in three hours," is what he was allegedly told. Meanwhile, 'hours' went by, and it was during this critical waiting period when Julia suffered a second heart attack.

"She wanted to say something," Mohammad recalled. "I told her to squeeze my hand. She squeezed my hand."

Sadly, Julia experienced a third heart attack that proved to be fatal while on the transport boat that was meant to carry her and Mohammad to the medical jet.

The Hamzas' tragedy has prompted a conversation on the hidden risks of going on a cruise and whether Julia's death could've been avoided.

Cruise ships operating under 'flags of convenience' can present challenges during medical emergencies (Getty Stock Image)

Royal Caribbean's response

The cruise company provided a statement to News 5 Cleveland, saying that the safety of guests is a 'top priority'.

"The safety and well-being of our guests is always a top priority. In Mrs. Hamza's situation, the shipboard medical team responded quickly to her medical needs and worked continuously to stabilise her condition in preparation for her transport to a shoreside hospital," the statement read.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Mr. Hamza during this difficult time."

Following Julia's death, Jamie Barnett, the president of the International Cruise Victims Association, has spoken out.

Barnett's daughter needed emergency assistance during a cruise in 2005 but sadly died as a defibrillator reportedly took 30 minutes to arrive.

"I thought, oh, no. Here's another one," said Barnett of Julia's passing and Mohammad's ordeal.

Barnett reminded passengers that major cruise lines sail under the flags of different countries, known as 'flags of convenience', which can prove challenging during a medical emergency due to the different international laws and standards of care. This means that passengers may not receive the same level of medical care they expect at home.

"And that's one of the first and foremost things that I wish people knew," Barnett added.

LADbible has contacted Royal Caribbean for further comment.