Six American cruise passengers, including a pregnant woman, and two Australians were stranded on the island of São Tomé in Central Africa after Norwegian Cruise Line allegedly left them behind. The group, which included an elderly passenger with a heart condition and a paraplegic, missed the all-aboard time and were not allowed back on the ship despite the Coast Guard’s assistance. The Campbells, a South Carolina couple, worked with the U.S. Embassy in Angola to plan a rendezvous in the Gambia, but the ship was unable to dock due to low tides, leaving the group in a desperate situation.
The cruise line stated that the passengers failed to return to the ship on time and were left on the island either on their own or with a private tour. Many of the passengers were separated from their belongings, including money, medicine, and essential vaccination certifications. The Campbells, who were on a 21-day cruise, were touring the island when they encountered an issue and were not able to return to the ship in time. Despite the cruise still being anchored when they returned, they were not allowed back on board, forcing them to rely on the local Coast Guard for assistance.
The group had initially planned to meet the ship in the Gambia, but due to docking issues, they are now headed to Senegal, where the cruise is scheduled to dock on Tuesday. The logistics of transportation for the group, including an elderly quadriplegic woman, are proving to be a challenge as they navigate the uncertain situation. The cruise line referred to the incident as a “very unfortunate situation” and emphasized that guests are responsible for returning to the ship on time, with announcements made via the ship’s intercom system and other means.
The passengers, who are facing travel costs to rejoin the ship at the next port of call, have been working closely with local authorities to understand the requirements and necessary visas needed to reunite with the cruise. The group remains in communication with the cruise line and is provided with updates as information becomes available. The incident has left the Campbells and the other stranded passengers in a state of uncertainty, with no clear resolution in sight as they navigate the challenges of being stranded in a foreign country without their belongings and essential documents.
The pregnant American woman, elderly passengers, and the paraplegic individual are among those affected by the situation, facing challenges without access to necessary medications and essential items left behind on the ship. The group had hoped that the cruise would be able to dock in the Gambia as planned, but the continued issues with docking have further complicated the situation. The Campbells have expressed their frustration at the lack of support from the cruise line and are working to find alternative transportation arrangements to reach Senegal for the scheduled docking on Tuesday.
As the stranded passengers continue to navigate the challenges of being left behind by the cruise line, they are working with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy to find a solution to their predicament. The group remains hopeful that they will be able to reunite with the cruise in Senegal and resume their journey. The incident has highlighted the importance of ensuring that passengers have access to their belongings and essential items while on vacation, as being stranded in a foreign country without these resources can pose significant challenges.
