Stranded Norwegian Cruise Lines passengers miss ship by more than an hour, company reveals

US News

By Yaron Steinbuch

Six American and two Australian passengers who were stranded on an African island when a Norwegian cruise line ship departed have returned to the ship to continue their African journey after the group had caused them travel headaches in the past. Some days they missed their departure time by more than an hour.

A Norwegian spokeswoman confirmed to The Post that the eight passengers boarded the ship in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday morning for a 20-day trip across Africa.

Curt Keyes, the nephew of an elderly woman who suffered a stroke on the tour and left the ship, said he received a text message from Jill Campbell, one of the crew members. Her husband is back on board, but has yet to speak to anyone from guest services or Norwegian Cruise Line.

“It's the only thing we've ever had [a] A little note from the Director of Food and Beverage with six small treats in our stateroom,” she texted him.

It had to pass through seven different countries in 48 hours to meet the ship in Senegal on Tuesday.

But by the time South Carolina couple Jill and Jay Campbell arrived in the country, they said they didn't even know if they wanted to get back on the ship.

“After what we saw, we really believe that there was a set of rules or policies that the ship could have followed – and they followed those rules very strictly,” Jill Campbell. said on the “Today” program.

“I feel they have forgotten that they are people working in the hospitality industry, and in fact the safety and well-being of their customers should be their first priority,” he added, adding that the ship's crew have a “fundamental duty of safety”. They forgot that.”

Eight passengers – including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition – said they were left behind without money and vital medicines after the Norwegian Dawn left Sao Tome without them.

The Campbells said the ship was still anchored off the coast of the central African island when they arrived on Friday, but the captain refused to let them board.

However, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said the group missed all travel time by more than an hour after taking a private tour of the island.

“When they missed the 3pm appointment by more than an hour, as per protocol when they returned to the port from their private tour (not organized by us), their passports were retrieved from the local port agent. ” said the speaker.

The Campbells admitted there was a “problem” with their tour of the island, and the guide “didn't get us back” to ship on time on Friday.

“We're like, 'We're running out of time,' and they're like, 'No problem, we'll get you back in an hour,'” Jay said, adding that the tour operator contacted the captain to let them know about the delay.

In its statement, the company said, “In the event that the guests did not return to the ship, we worked with them and the local port agent to obtain the necessary visas for them to rejoin the ship. at the next available port.”

James Diamond, a lawyer for TWC lawyers, said it was a “hard and fast rule” that a ship could depart once the final call was made.

“They pay a lot more than docking fees and space rent,” he told “Sevens Sunrise.”

“There are times when they have to leave and those times are published and unfortunately, I know it's morally wrong, but they have the right to leave,” he said.