Eight passengers, including six Americans and two Australians, were stranded on an African island after missing the boarding time for their Norwegian Cruise. The group was on a private tour of São Tomé and missed the 3 p.m. all-aboard call on Friday, and the cruise line left without them after they were more than an hour late. The cruise line spokesperson stated that when passengers on excursions or private tours are late, it is within the cruise line’s rights to sail away to stay on time.
Two members of the stranded group, Jay and Jill Campbell, stated in news interviews that their tour guide ran late and did not get them back to the ship on time. The Coast Guard ferried the group to the ship, which was still in sight of the island, but the captain denied them entry. The cruise line emphasized that guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, as it is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom and posted before exiting the vessel. The Campbells criticized the cruise line for following the rules too rigidly, stating that they forgot about the safety and well-being of their customers.
The group’s passports were secured by the cruise line as part of protocol, but they did not grab vital medicines, money, or other belongings, causing distress among the passengers. The group consisted of a paraplegic, a man with a heart condition, and a pregnant woman and her husband. After chasing the ship through several countries, the stranded passengers were finally able to catch up and board the ship by Wednesday morning. The Campbells and other passengers raised concerns about the lack of care and attention from the cruise line, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of customers.
In another incident, an elderly woman named Julie Lenkoff suffered a stroke and potentially a heart attack during the trip. The cruise line decided to send her to a local clinic on São Tomé, believing it was in her best interest. However, Lenkoff’s family stated that the cruise line failed to contact her emergency contacts and left her behind on the island. The Campbells, who were part of the stranded group, took care of Lenkoff and helped her reach her family in the U.S. Lenkoff was eventually flown to Stanford Hospital in California, where she received constant care and treatment.
The Campbells were hailed as heroes for their actions in taking care of Lenkoff and ensuring she received the necessary medical attention. They assisted in getting Lenkoff back to the U.S. and were instrumental in her receiving the care she needed at Stanford Hospital. Lenkoff’s family expressed their gratitude towards the Campbells for their role in ensuring her well-being during the difficult situation. The cruise line acknowledged both incidents as unfortunate situations and stated they were working on addressing the concerns raised by the Campbells and the families involved.
Overall, the incidents involving the stranded passengers missing their boarding time and the medical emergency experienced by Julie Lenkoff highlighted the importance of customer care and safety in the cruise industry. Passengers raised concerns about the cruise line’s handling of the situations, emphasizing the need for better communication and support for those in distress. The actions of the Campbells in assisting both the stranded passengers and Lenkoff showcased the importance of compassion and empathy in ensuring the well-being of all passengers onboard.
