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The "Norwegian Dawn" in the port of Portland, England: "Guests are responsible for returning to the ship at the published time"
Photo:
Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
It is probably the nightmare of many cruisers: missing the ship after an excursion and being left behind in a foreign country. Eight passengers on the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) are currently experiencing this horror scenario, including apparently several elderly people, a person in a wheelchair and a pregnant woman. A couple left behind is making serious allegations against the shipping company, as CNN reports.
Accordingly be
The ship “Norwegian Dawn” had not yet left the port of the African island state of São Tomé and Príncipe on March 27th when the passengers returned from their privately booked excursion. But the captain refused to let the cruisers on board. The captain rejected a call from the harbor master, the stranded Campbell couple from South Carolina reported in the CNN report.
Customer service? Apparently without an answer
In addition, the tour operator of the privately booked excursion contacted the captain on the way to the port to say that the group was on its way but would be delayed. Since then, the group claims to have sent several emails to NCL and also called an emergency customer service number. But no answers were received, according to the Campbells.
Since missing boarding, the group has reportedly been traveling behind the ship to get back on board at another port. From São Tomé and Príncipe, the group then traveled 15 hours at their own expense through six countries to Gambia in order to get on the “Norwegian Dawn” last Sunday. But the ship was unable to make the planned stop there due to low tide, so the stranded people had to continue their odyssey. The Campbells told CNN that the group was now on its way to Senegal to get back on the ship for the planned stop there.
The Campbells also told CNN that a member of the group has been unable to take his heart medication for five days and has become ill. In addition, another guest on the cruise was left behind in São Tomé and Príncipe after the person was taken to hospital due to a medical emergency.
Shipping company defends itself
NCL has not yet responded to a SPIEGEL query about the allegations.
However, in a statement, the shipping company confirmed that eight passengers "who were on the island on their own or with a private tour" had missed the last boat back to the ship and therefore were not able to keep the time to return on board . He continues: "Although this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for returning to the ship at the published time, which will be announced via the ship's intercom, in daily communications and by notices shortly before departure from the ship. «
In addition, the passengers' passports were handed over to the local port agents so that the guests could pick them up. Guests are responsible for the cost of travel to the next port of call to rejoin the ship. You are in contact with the passengers.
This isn't the first time the ship has caused a stir. Because of a suspected cholera outbreak, a good 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members were stuck on board the “Norwegian Dawn” at the end of February. In the end, the suspicion was not confirmed.
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