Ill Aboard! Dangers of Getting Sick at Sea

Widow Says Her Dream Cruise Turned Tragic Due to Inaction By Ship's Medical Staff

Don and Marlene Bryce planned a celebratory cruise in the Mediterranean as a toast to Don's retirement and their 53 years together.

The couple set sail aboard Holland America's cruise ship "Rotterdam."

"We were just enjoying life," said Marlene.

But what was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime ended tragically 12 days into their vacation. Don died on the floor of their cabin.

"They covered him with a blanket and that was the last I saw of him," said Marlene.

Don became ill on the eighth day of their cruise, according to Marlene, other passengers and onboard medical records. "My parents were on the cruise, but it sounds like the medical staff was on vacation," said the couple's daughter Lori Vaaga.

Using Don's shipboard medical records and the recollections of his wife and two other passengers, reporter Liz Rocca of Seattle's KOMO station pieced together the days leading up to Don's puzzling death.

Medical records show the ship's nurses and Dr. Mark Gibson gave Don medicine to stop vomiting four days before his death. Two days later, Don took a turn for the worse  and so did his medical care, according to his family...