Grim twist as Australian couple speak out after being abandoned in Africa on cruise: ‘Worst experience of our lives’

An Australian couple left stranded by their cruise ship on a remote African island without any belongings say the ordeal has been ‘the worst experience of our lives’.

Violetta and Doug Sanders were among eight tourists stopped from reboarding their luxury cruise ship after returning late from a private day tour last week.

Instead, they were dumped on the dock with only their credit cards and passports as their Norwegian Cruise Line ship left São Tomé and Principe off the west coast of Africa.

The group included four elderly people, a pregnant woman, a paralyzed woman and a person with a heart condition, who were forced to travel more than 3,000 km across West Africa to meet the ship at its next port of call.

But the cruise was unable to dock in Gambia due to very low tide, after which the group traveled on to Dakar in Senegal, where they have now rejoined the ship.

“It’s been the worst experience of our lives being left like that in a foreign country, I don’t speak the language,” Ms Sanders told Seven’s Sunrise on Wednesday.

‘It’s Portuguese and African. We have no money, our credit cards are not accepted.’

Ms. Sanders appeared visibly distressed as she was physically restrained by officials as she attempted to reboard the ship.

Ms. Sanders is seen trying to get on the boat as she is stopped by officials

In a statement, NCL said it was a “very unfortunate incident” but that the eight guests had failed to meet the “all aboard” time of 3pm on March 27 at 3pm.

James Diamond of TWC Lawyers told the Daily Telegraph that cruise ships such as the Norwegian Dawn have the right to leave passengers behind.

“It’s a hard and fast rule. They pay a lot of money for the construction costs and renting out the space. There are times when they have to leave,” he told Sunrise.

‘Those times have been published. Unfortunately, I know it is morally wrong, but they do have the right to leave.”

South Carolina couple Jill and Jay Campbell say they spent up to $7,500 on lodging, food and toiletries for their fellow castaways as they were the only ones who took their bank cards off the ship.

The group managed to overtake the Norwegian Dawn and arrived in Dakar on Monday evening, where they re-boarded the ship, but not without reservations.

“We believe it was a fundamental duty of care that they forgot,” Ms Campbell told NBC’s Today Show on Tuesday morning (US time).

“Although there are some rules, they have followed them too strictly.”

Mr Campbell said it had been a challenge organizing transport for the group, but that the people of Sao Tome had been ‘very welcoming’.

‘It’s a very, very difficult process. You’re dealing with multiple languages, different currencies, and you find someone who will even take dollars,” he said.

“I think we flew through six countries yesterday to get to Gambia.”

South Carolina couple Jill and Jay Campbell say they spent up to $7,500 on lodging, food and toiletries for their fellow castaways as they were the only ones who took their bank cards off the ship

Members of the group stranded in São Tomé and Principe (Jill and Jay Campbell left)

In a statement, NCL said it would reimburse passengers for travel costs from Gambia to Dakar, despite the “series of unfortunate events beyond our control.”

It confirmed that eight guests had returned on board as of Tuesday morning local time.

‘While the eight guests made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia on April 1, 2024, the ship was unfortunately unable to dock safely at the destination due to adverse weather conditions and tidal restrictions requiring specific timing for safe passage. ‘, said an NCL spokesperson.

“While we share our guests’ disappointment, this change has been made with great consideration for their safety and that of our crew, which is our top priority. We have contacted these eight guests about this itinerary adjustment and have given them permission to reboard the ship in Dakar, Senegal on April 2, 2024.

“Despite the series of unfortunate events beyond our control, we will reimburse these eight guests for their travel expenses from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal. As of this morning, the eight guests are back on board the ship in Dakar, Senegal.’