Stranded cruise passengers in Africa race to rejoin their ship
Eight cruise passengers left behind in the African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe have been struggling for days to catch up with their Norwegian Cruise Line ship as it makes its way up the western coast of Africa.
The passengers were late getting back to the ship on March 27, according to a statement from Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Eight guests who were on the island on their own or with a private tour missed the last tender back to the vessel, therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3 p.m. local time,” the statement said.
“While this is a very unfortunate situation, 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.”
Norwegian Cruise Line said that the passengers’ passports were handed over to local port agents for the guests to collect. The cruise line said that guests are responsible for the cost of getting to the next available port of call to rejoin the ship. The cruise line said it was working with local authorities and communicating with the stranded passengers.
