Six American and two Australian cruise ship passengers, including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition, were left stranded on the island of São Tomé in Central Africa after their Norwegian Cruise line ship departed without them. Despite the assistance of the local Coast Guard, the captain of the ship reportedly refused to allow them to reboard. The passengers were left to fend for themselves on the island or with a private tour after missing the “all-aboard time.”
According to Jill and Jay Campbell from South Carolina, there was an issue with their tour on the island, and the guide failed to return them to the ship on time on Friday. When they arrived at the port, the ship was still anchored, and the island’s Coast Guard assisted them in getting back onboard via a boat. However, the captain of the ship allegedly declined to let them reenter the vessel, leaving them stranded on São Tomé without their possessions, money, or vital medications.
The stranded passengers, including the pregnant woman and elderly man with a heart condition, were left without essential items and medical supplies after being abandoned on the African island. Norwegian Cruise Lines stated that the passengers were left behind due to missing the scheduled “all-aboard time” and were provided with assistance from the local Coast Guard. However, the captain refused to allow them back on board the ship, leaving them in a difficult situation.
The Campbells expressed their frustration at being abandoned on an unfamiliar island without money, medications, or a way to communicate with their families. They also mentioned the difficulties faced by the pregnant woman and the elderly man, who required regular medical attention that was now unavailable to them. Despite efforts made by the local Coast Guard to assist them, they were left stranded with no immediate solution in sight.
The stranded passengers, including the Americans and Australians, are facing a challenging situation on São Tomé, without their belongings, medications, or money. The situation has sparked concerns about the responsibility of cruise lines in ensuring the safety and well-being of their passengers, particularly in cases of missed boarding times or unforeseen circumstances. The stranded individuals are in need of assistance to resolve the situation and return to the ship or seek alternative arrangements for their safe return home.
The situation of the stranded cruise ship passengers on the island of São Tomé highlights the vulnerabilities faced by travelers when unexpected events occur during their trips. The passengers, including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition, are in need of urgent assistance to ensure their safety and well-being. The incident raises questions about the responsibilities of cruise lines and the regulations in place to protect passengers in such situations. Efforts are needed to address the immediate needs of the stranded individuals and facilitate their safe return to the ship or to their home countries.
