First-ever cruise for couple ends in tragedy after 74-year-old ‘classic Aussie battler’ dies from twisted stomach

It was the cruise of a lifetime for Glenn and Bev — a generous gift from their son to explore Queensland’s tropical coastline. But in an instant, tragedy struck.

A couple who embarked on their first ever cruise — a generous gift from one of their sons to spend four nights at sea between Brisbane and Airlie Beach — has ended in tragedy.

On 30 March 2025, Glenn and Beverley Stein — described by daughter-in-law Sarah as “classic Aussie battlers” who “always put others first” — were enjoying a voyage on board the Carnival Luminosa off the coast of Queensland when Glenn suffered a “serious medical emergency”.

Complaining of “food-poisoning type symptoms” and feeling increasingly unwell, Mrs Stein said both Glenn and her mother-in-law Bev dismissed it as being an illness from the food, given they both ate the same thing and she felt completely fine.

The pair assumed it was something else that a good night’s rest would heal, and so went to bed on April 1 as normal. But early the next morning — things had taken a turn for the worse.

Glenn and Bev were on their first ever cruise and didn't take out any travel insurance.

Bev and Glenn were on board the Carnival Luminosa when tragedy struck

Mrs Stein said her 74-year-old father-in-law had deteriorated significantly overnight, and at sunrise Beverley knew “something wasn’t right”.

“Bev woke to him spread-eagled on the bed and in a really bad state,” Mrs Stein told news.com.au.

“She couldn’t move him. His eyes were sunken and she knew then that something was wrong … something wasn’t right.”

A frantic Beverley opened the doors of their cabin and sought help from nearby staff.

Glenn was escorted by wheelchair to the medical centre on board the ship, where Mrs Stein said he received the best care and treatment imaginable.

“By all accounts he was cared for exceptionally well by the staff,” she said.

But after several hours of emergency care on board, the decision was made to immediately escort Glenn back to the mainland and into the care of a hospital.

Glenn and Bev were on their first ever cruise with the unthinkable happened.

Glenn and Bev, centre, with their four adult children.

“Bev was really distressed at this point because she was out of her comfort zone, and very concerned what was going wrong with him,” Mrs Stein explained.

“The staff did tell her to maybe prepare herself to say whatever she needs to say encase he didn’t make it.

“It had become severe enough that the decision was made to call an airlift.”

Mrs Stein said while the logistics remain a little unclear, the understanding is that the ship had to travel southwest on Wednesday afternoon so a medical aircraft could pick Glenn up closer to land. After the LifeFlight chopper arrived, the paramedics assessed Glenn and the decision was made to rush him to Bundaberg Hospital.

Glenn and Bev, surrounded by their grandchildren, were on their first ever cruise when the unthinkable happened.

Glenn arrived to the hospital “in a very bad way” while Beverley stayed on board the ship, as it was due to port in Brisbane not long afterwards.

Upon arrival to the hospital, Mrs Stein’s husband Jason — Glenn and Beverley’s son — along with his three siblings received the news their dad had deteriorated quite quickly and had a very short amount of time left. It meant that Jason’s siblings — Melodie, Michael and Gregory — would need to say their final goodbyes over the phone rather than in person.

Sadly, Mrs Stein’s husband Jason was the only sibling who didn’t get to say farewell, with Glenn dying at Bundaberg Hospital shortly after arrival on April 2.

Mrs Stein said she and Jason went to the port to pick up Beverley, who was in complete “shock” from the ordeal.

Glenn’s cause of death was described as a "twisted stomach” or “strangulated stomach”, a condition that requires immediate attention.

“It would’ve had a severe outcome even if he was at home … if you don’t get it dealt with immediately, the outcome is not great,” Mrs Stein explained.

“He also developed septicaemia.”

Mr Stein was taken to Bundaberg Hospital on board the Bundaberg-based LifeFlight. Picture Lifeflight

But the upset for Bev didn’t stop there, as days later she received a medical bill from Carnival — which she expected given she didn’t take out travel insurance — amounting to just shy of $9000.

Thankfully for Beverley, the LifeFlight community service helicopter, which escorted Glenn from the ship to the hospital, are fully funded by the Queensland Government as part of the Emergency Helicopter Network and come at no cost to the patient.

Mrs Stein said while relieved, by not taking out insurance for the cruise — the medical bill has still put significant pressure on the family. She started a GoFundMe to support her mother-in-law navigate the expenses, and said they hope Glenn and Beverley’s story and subsequent bill of care will act as a cautionary tale for those who step foot on a cruise — domestic or international — to get comprehensive insurance in place.

Obtaining travel insurance “didn’t cross their mind”

Given the cruise was departing from Brisbane and travelling along Australia’s coastline before returning to the same port, Beverley and Glenn — who were not seasoned travellers or cruisers — made the mistake of assuming they did not need insurance.

“It was this whole new level of learning and what you should and shouldn’t do,” Mrs Stein said.

“The cruise was four days up to North Queensland, so it didn’t even cross their mind to get insurance.”

Some assume that given domestic cruises are within Australia, that Medicare applies. But this is not the case.

Mrs Stein said given the location of the cruise ship, they assumed Medicare would be applied for any urgent medical treatments — but that is where the couple went very wrong.

On Carnival’s website, despite technically being in Australian waters — the operator said passengers should always take out international travel insurance to avoid a medical bill such as what Bev must now service — as cruises fall out of the “scope of Australian Medicare”.

Insurance expert at Finder, Tim Bennett, said a big warning for passengers is that Medicare doesn’t cover you on cruises, even within Australian waters.

In a statement to news.com.au,Tim Bennett — and insurance expert at Finder — said it’s an easy mistake to make but the message is clear “make comprehensive travel insurance essential.”

“Medicare doesn’t cover you on cruises, even within Australian waters,” Mr Bennett said.

“Cruise-specific policies offer broader protection than standard insurance, including medical evacuation, cruise disruptions (delays, cancellations, missed ports), pre-existing conditions, on-board dental care, cabin confinement benefits, and coverage for cancelled shore excursions.

“On-board medical costs can be substantial – even a consultation or scan can run into hundreds of dollars, while evacuations can cost thousands.

“Don’t underestimate the risks; from minor accidents to serious illnesses, being at sea – especially in international waters – can lead to exorbitant medical bills.”

News.com.au has contacted Carnival for comment.