An idyllic cruise vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare, as one Australian couple discovered when they were abandoned in São Tomé and Príncipe by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Violetta and Doug Sanders, along with six others, found themselves stranded in a foreign country after missing their boarding time. Their harrowing ordeal sheds light on the challenges passengers may face when traveling independently on cruise excursions.
The Sanders appeared on Seven’s Sunrise program to recount their distressing experience. Describing it as the “worst experience” of their lives, Violetta Sanders expressed her shock and dismay at being left behind in São Tomé and Príncipe, unable to communicate due to language barriers and facing financial constraints as their credit cards were not accepted.
The group, comprising elderly individuals, a pregnant woman, a quadriplegic, and a person with a heart condition, had embarked on a private tour not organized through NCL. Despite reassurances from their tour guide that they would return in time for boarding, they missed the deadline and were abandoned at the port. Even though efforts were made to contact the ship and arrangements were made for their return, they were denied boarding, leaving them stranded.
NCL, in response to the incident, shifted the blame onto the passengers, stating that it was their responsibility to return to the ship at the specified time. While expressing regret for the situation, the cruise line emphasized that the passengers had booked a private tour, bypassing NCL’s organized activities, and thus were accountable for any resulting consequences. They further clarified that the passengers’ passports were left with local port agents, and efforts were underway to facilitate their rejoining the ship at the next available port.
However, the ordeal did not end there for the stranded passengers. When they attempted to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia, they were met with further disappointment as adverse weather conditions and tidal restrictions prevented the ship from docking safely. Despite these setbacks, NCL assured that safety remained their top priority and arrangements were made for the passengers to rejoin the ship in Dakar, Senegal, with reimbursement for their travel costs from Banjul to Dakar.
The incident highlights the complexities of cruise travel and the potential risks associated with independent excursions. While passengers are encouraged to explore ports of call, incidents like these underscore the importance of adhering to designated boarding times and exercising caution when venturing away from organized activities.
For the Sanders and their fellow passengers, what was meant to be a memorable cruise vacation turned into a distressing ordeal. As they reunite with the Norwegian Dawn in Dakar, Senegal, their experience serves as a cautionary tale for future cruise travelers, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preparedness when exploring unfamiliar destinations.
