“So Bloody Entitled”: Passengers Left Stranded On African Island Reboard Norwegian Cruise
The eight Norwegian Cruise passengers who were stranded on a small African island missed the boarding time by more than an hour, according to reports.
The passengers— six Americans and two Australians—were on a private tour of São Tomé and were left behind after missing the 3 p.m. all-aboard call on March 27.
“When they missed the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. by more than an hour, their passports were left with the local port agent for retrieval when they returned to the port from their private tour (not organized by us), per the protocol,” a cruise line spokesperson told the New York Post.
The Norwegian Cruise Line passengers left stranded on an African island have reboarded the ship and will be reimbursed
Image credits: WPDE ABC15
South Carolina couple Jill and Jay Campbell, who were among the passengers, have acknowledged there was “an issue” with their tour and that the guide didn’t get the group back to the ship in time.
The eight passengers — including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition — claimed they were left behind with no money and without vital medications, as per The Post.
“Guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily communication and posted just before exiting the vessel,” the company spokesperson said.
“Once the guests did not make it back to the ship at the previously communicated all-aboard time, we worked with them and the local port agent to assist with obtaining the necessary visas for them to rejoin the ship at the next available port,” they added.
The group reboarded the ship on Tuesday (April 2) morning in Dakar, Senegal.
The company said that it stands by its decision to sail off without them because they were over an hour late
Image credits: Lana Lenkoff Wilken-Gies
The group reboarded the ship on April 2 in Dakar, Senegal
Image credits: Norwegian Cruise Line
The passengers had hoped to board the cruise in Gambia, West Africa, traveling 15 hours through six countries to reach the port on Sunday. Then, they found that the ship couldn’t dock due to low tides, according to WPDE.
From there, they boarded a bus and had to take a ferry across a river to reach Senegal.
While the company stands by its decision to sail off without the group, it has decided to reimburse them for some of the costs they endured while trying to make it back onto the ship.
On March 27, the passengers were stranded on São Tomé after missing the all-aboard time of 3 p.m
“Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjul, Gambia, to Dakar, Senegal,” the cruise line said.
The Campbells had to spend over $5,000 in food, toiletries, and hotels, given that they were the only ones in the group with a Visa credit card, the couple told WRAL.
People were glad to hear about the group reboarding the ship
I know this sounds harsh and I'm prepared for the downvotes but getting back to the ship on time isn't a secret. It's communicated multiple times through various means. Good on the cruise line for reimbursing them expenses created through no fault of the ship (that I can see). I don't think they deserve it though. Actions and consequences and all that. I'm glad they got back on the ship safely though.
Not only "multiple time and means" - multiple MILLENNIA - literally! "Time and tide wait for no man." Nor ships- not for a couple thousand years. That quote is Chaucer, 1395, and 1,000 years old when he stole it. Your iPhone is NOT a "get out of reality free" card. Not - out in reality.
Load More Replies...
Entitled people think the ship should have incurred costs, disrupted the port, and waited for them. GTFOYA This isn't a wonderful story, it is a story of entitlement.
The villains aren't any entitled cruise-goers, but rather the third-party tour operators whose entire business plan revolves around letting cruise-goers see the country they paid so much to see and then getting them back on the boat. The fact that the tour operators had absolutely no contingency plan for missing the boat is astonishing. And yes, the cruise ships run their own tours, which is great if you want to see a bunch of trained, English speaking denizens of a Potemkin village, like a little Orlando in Africa, but suck if you went to Africa to see Africa.
Load More Replies...
If I remember correctly, one of the eight passengers left the ship to receive medical treatment at a local hospital as recommended by the ship’s doctor and was still at the hospital at boarding time. It’s not their fault they missed the ship. Don’t lump the with the fools.
I agree, but that's probably also in the contract when you purchase a ticket. If I break my leg and have to spend three days in the hospital, the ship isn't going to wait three days for me. They aren't a fool, but it seems the rest are.
Load More Replies...
It’s very clearly spelled out that cruise ships will not wait if you miss the departure time. If you take one of their tours, they will wait but not for third party tours. The third party tours are usually cheaper so they spent thousands to save about $50. They decided to take that risk.
Oh no! The big ship didn’t wait for them! So sad!! How mean of the big ship!! /s (edited to add the /s that was supposed to be there. My apologies. I wasn’t trying to poop on the passengers - it is 100% the tour’s fault and it was poopy of the ship to not CHECK why their passengers missed the all-call - what if someone was sick or hurt?!)
These people did nothing wrong, and it was the fault of the tour guide who held them over time. Some of these people were elderly and left without their medications.
Load More Replies...
Anyone who signs up for a cruise should know that the ship leaves port on time no exceptions. Do they expect airlines to hold a plane on the tarmac for them too? This information is given in writing when you book, told you when you first arrive, announced over PAs etc.
Actually yes, the very last time I flew, the plane was delayed about 20 minutes so that a passenger who had checked in but not arrived could be found. And the only time I ever took a cruise, we were held up for three hours getting OFF the boat because of some security check. The cruise line evinces the attitude, "you went with a third party, so f**k you and your mother." They collected the passports as they were legally required to do, but not their credit cards or their medicine. The boat was still in port.
Load More Replies...
My dad works as a lecturer on cruise ships and he once explained to me that the ships MUST leave ports by a very specific time or they will be fined. They are dealing with local laws, pilots etc. Some ports the fine is tens of thousands of dollars an HOUR if they stay in that spot. Often there is another ship waiting to take their spot. So if you stay for an extra hour, the next ship is an hour late etc.
That honestly sounds so cool! What does he lecture on/lecture about?
Load More Replies...
everybody knows this on a cruise ship, its why they push you to take the ship tours which are more expensive but if your delayed the ship will wait or it their responsibility to get you back on it. if you go for the cheaper option which I usually do you know the risks
The full article is on CNN. There's a lot more going on than is stated here.
A train wouldn't wait for you. An airplane wouldn't wait for you. Why would a ship wait?
Actually, if you're coming in on a connecting flight, even with another airline, the airplaine WILL wait for you. And it sure as hell won't tell you as you arrive at the gate, "Yes, the plane is still in the gate, but you should've been here earlier." And that's when you're in your own, safe, familiar homeland with regularly scheduled flights leaving every hour. If they know where you are, and know you're not a no-show. (No, knowing where you are does not mean trusting your description that you;re stuck in traffic and will be there is ten minutes. It means knowing you are on flight so-and-so, arriving at such-and-such a time.) But that's because airlines cooperate for their mutual benefit, rather than trying to punish people for using a third party.
Load More Replies...
Perfect reason why you need trip insurance and also evacuation insurance when you travel.
It's a sad situation. It wasn't the passengers' fault, but you can't hold up thousands of people. Hopefully the tour operator has deep pockets and NCL can recover its costs, but I would guess not having been on several cruises and lots of excursions.
It sucks that it seems to have been their tour company's issue, not them specifically. But if you don't know that the ship will leave without you, especially after literally being notified, that's on you. If you didn't take you meds with you just in case, that's on you. However, it also sounds like they did make their way to the next port only for yet another thing out of their control prevented them from boarding, so it is nice of the cruise line to reimburse them for that. But STFU with the complaining that they "just left you there". Agsin, that's on you.
Hello fellow BPs, can the OGs please tell me why my comments are not being shown? I'm approved by BP to comment but I'm apparently not allowed to comment on this post. YES BP! THISBIS A TEST!
The cast-off time is "the effing" cast-off time!!! Be there or be stranded! WTAF with those people? And then they complain about the additional costs to rejoin? 🤦♂️
The cruise captain did what they had to do, but the passengers should sue the f**k out of the tour operator, as they were the actual cause of this
Entitled yank clowns, acting as if rules don't apply to them, as if the world should change for their convenience. You got your passports, shut up and be glad they didn't strand you and leave you in legal trouble.
Only six of the eight stranded passengers were American. Would you like to edit your comment to add in a slur for the two “entitled” Australian passengers as well? :3
Load More Replies... These people are dumb. They should have been left behind and I'm glad they were. Wouldn't be fair to the rest to delay their travel to the next location because people are irresponsible. Also, they're OLD! I'm willing to bet they've been on cruises and are well aware of the consequences of missing a ship.
What’s wrong with being “OLD!”? And I can assure you that many “OLD!” people don’t go on multiple cruises before they become “OLD!” as they are working, raising children, etc., and probable don’t have the money or the time for going on a cruise. Eff you just on your assumption that “OLD!” people somehow magically have been on many cruises and “are well aware of the consequences”. Plus, not all of the eight passengers who missed the boat were “OLD!” - the article clearly states that one was a pregnant woman (generally women can’t get pregnant once they are “OLD!”) And looking at the Campbells - maybe they’re older, but they look like they’re in their 50s to me. Which - as someone who just turned 42 - is not “OLD!”
Load More Replies... I know this sounds harsh and I'm prepared for the downvotes but getting back to the ship on time isn't a secret. It's communicated multiple times through various means. Good on the cruise line for reimbursing them expenses created through no fault of the ship (that I can see). I don't think they deserve it though. Actions and consequences and all that. I'm glad they got back on the ship safely though.
Not only "multiple time and means" - multiple MILLENNIA - literally! "Time and tide wait for no man." Nor ships- not for a couple thousand years. That quote is Chaucer, 1395, and 1,000 years old when he stole it. Your iPhone is NOT a "get out of reality free" card. Not - out in reality.
Load More Replies... Entitled people think the ship should have incurred costs, disrupted the port, and waited for them. GTFOYA This isn't a wonderful story, it is a story of entitlement.
The villains aren't any entitled cruise-goers, but rather the third-party tour operators whose entire business plan revolves around letting cruise-goers see the country they paid so much to see and then getting them back on the boat. The fact that the tour operators had absolutely no contingency plan for missing the boat is astonishing. And yes, the cruise ships run their own tours, which is great if you want to see a bunch of trained, English speaking denizens of a Potemkin village, like a little Orlando in Africa, but suck if you went to Africa to see Africa.
Load More Replies... If I remember correctly, one of the eight passengers left the ship to receive medical treatment at a local hospital as recommended by the ship’s doctor and was still at the hospital at boarding time. It’s not their fault they missed the ship. Don’t lump the with the fools.
I agree, but that's probably also in the contract when you purchase a ticket. If I break my leg and have to spend three days in the hospital, the ship isn't going to wait three days for me. They aren't a fool, but it seems the rest are.
Load More Replies... It’s very clearly spelled out that cruise ships will not wait if you miss the departure time. If you take one of their tours, they will wait but not for third party tours. The third party tours are usually cheaper so they spent thousands to save about $50. They decided to take that risk.
Oh no! The big ship didn’t wait for them! So sad!! How mean of the big ship!! /s (edited to add the /s that was supposed to be there. My apologies. I wasn’t trying to poop on the passengers - it is 100% the tour’s fault and it was poopy of the ship to not CHECK why their passengers missed the all-call - what if someone was sick or hurt?!)
These people did nothing wrong, and it was the fault of the tour guide who held them over time. Some of these people were elderly and left without their medications.
Load More Replies... Anyone who signs up for a cruise should know that the ship leaves port on time no exceptions. Do they expect airlines to hold a plane on the tarmac for them too? This information is given in writing when you book, told you when you first arrive, announced over PAs etc.
Actually yes, the very last time I flew, the plane was delayed about 20 minutes so that a passenger who had checked in but not arrived could be found. And the only time I ever took a cruise, we were held up for three hours getting OFF the boat because of some security check. The cruise line evinces the attitude, "you went with a third party, so f**k you and your mother." They collected the passports as they were legally required to do, but not their credit cards or their medicine. The boat was still in port.
Load More Replies... My dad works as a lecturer on cruise ships and he once explained to me that the ships MUST leave ports by a very specific time or they will be fined. They are dealing with local laws, pilots etc. Some ports the fine is tens of thousands of dollars an HOUR if they stay in that spot. Often there is another ship waiting to take their spot. So if you stay for an extra hour, the next ship is an hour late etc.
That honestly sounds so cool! What does he lecture on/lecture about?
Load More Replies... everybody knows this on a cruise ship, its why they push you to take the ship tours which are more expensive but if your delayed the ship will wait or it their responsibility to get you back on it. if you go for the cheaper option which I usually do you know the risks
The full article is on CNN. There's a lot more going on than is stated here.
A train wouldn't wait for you. An airplane wouldn't wait for you. Why would a ship wait?
Actually, if you're coming in on a connecting flight, even with another airline, the airplaine WILL wait for you. And it sure as hell won't tell you as you arrive at the gate, "Yes, the plane is still in the gate, but you should've been here earlier." And that's when you're in your own, safe, familiar homeland with regularly scheduled flights leaving every hour. If they know where you are, and know you're not a no-show. (No, knowing where you are does not mean trusting your description that you;re stuck in traffic and will be there is ten minutes. It means knowing you are on flight so-and-so, arriving at such-and-such a time.) But that's because airlines cooperate for their mutual benefit, rather than trying to punish people for using a third party.
Load More Replies... Perfect reason why you need trip insurance and also evacuation insurance when you travel.
It's a sad situation. It wasn't the passengers' fault, but you can't hold up thousands of people. Hopefully the tour operator has deep pockets and NCL can recover its costs, but I would guess not having been on several cruises and lots of excursions.
It sucks that it seems to have been their tour company's issue, not them specifically. But if you don't know that the ship will leave without you, especially after literally being notified, that's on you. If you didn't take you meds with you just in case, that's on you. However, it also sounds like they did make their way to the next port only for yet another thing out of their control prevented them from boarding, so it is nice of the cruise line to reimburse them for that. But STFU with the complaining that they "just left you there". Agsin, that's on you.
Hello fellow BPs, can the OGs please tell me why my comments are not being shown? I'm approved by BP to comment but I'm apparently not allowed to comment on this post. YES BP! THISBIS A TEST!
The cast-off time is "the effing" cast-off time!!! Be there or be stranded! WTAF with those people? And then they complain about the additional costs to rejoin? 🤦♂️
The cruise captain did what they had to do, but the passengers should sue the f**k out of the tour operator, as they were the actual cause of this
Entitled yank clowns, acting as if rules don't apply to them, as if the world should change for their convenience. You got your passports, shut up and be glad they didn't strand you and leave you in legal trouble.
Only six of the eight stranded passengers were American. Would you like to edit your comment to add in a slur for the two “entitled” Australian passengers as well? :3
Load More Replies... These people are dumb. They should have been left behind and I'm glad they were. Wouldn't be fair to the rest to delay their travel to the next location because people are irresponsible. Also, they're OLD! I'm willing to bet they've been on cruises and are well aware of the consequences of missing a ship.
What’s wrong with being “OLD!”? And I can assure you that many “OLD!” people don’t go on multiple cruises before they become “OLD!” as they are working, raising children, etc., and probable don’t have the money or the time for going on a cruise. Eff you just on your assumption that “OLD!” people somehow magically have been on many cruises and “are well aware of the consequences”. Plus, not all of the eight passengers who missed the boat were “OLD!” - the article clearly states that one was a pregnant woman (generally women can’t get pregnant once they are “OLD!”) And looking at the Campbells - maybe they’re older, but they look like they’re in their 50s to me. Which - as someone who just turned 42 - is not “OLD!”
Load More Replies...
37
52