An elderly American woman suffered a stroke during a Norwegian Cruise Line voyage that left her stranded on an African island with six other Americans and two Australians. Julie Lenkoff, 80, experienced vision and memory loss while on a cruise-sponsored tour of São Tomé. Her family was upset with how the situation was handled, feeling that Lenkoff was left alone and helpless to find her way back to the US.
After experiencing a stroke, Lenkoff was evaluated by the cruise ship personnel and taken to a local hospital for treatment. She was released 24 hours later, at which point the family says she was left to fend for herself. Her son-in-law Kurt Gies expressed frustration that the cruise ship did not contact them as emergency contacts and were not taking their calls. Lenkoff’s money and credit cards were also missing, causing further distress to the family.
Norwegian Cruise Line stated that Lenkoff was evaluated by the onboard medical team and then disembarked for further assessment and treatment at a local hospital. The cruise line activated their Care Team to provide support to Lenkoff, but were unable to reach her as she was released from the hospital. According to their protocol, they could only contact the guest directly regarding medical details.
Fortunately, Lenkoff encountered a couple, Jay and Jill Campbell, who were also left stranded by the cruise ship. They helped coordinate Lenkoff’s flight from Africa to Lisbon, Portugal, and then back to the United States. Lenkoff finally arrived in California and is recovering at Stanford University Medical Center before returning home to Oregon. The family is grateful for the Campbells’ assistance in bringing Lenkoff back safely.
The Gieses shared their relief at having their mother back, thanking the Campbells for their help in ensuring Lenkoff’s return. They believe that the Campbells and their crew were instrumental in saving Lenkoff’s life and are now focused on getting them back on the ship. The family expressed frustration with Norwegian Cruise Line for the way they handled the situation and emphasized the importance of proper care and communication in such circumstances. Despite the challenges, they are grateful for Lenkoff’s recovery and are looking forward to having her back home.
