Australians left behind in Africa by Norwegian cruise ship speak of their horror

An elderly Australian couple stranded on a remote African island after being left behind by their cruise ship said they had no cash on them and could not even use their credit cards.

Two Australians left stranded on a remote African island after a cruise ship left them behind have spoken out saying it’s the “worst experience of our lives”.

Doug and Violeta Sanders from Melbourne were on a private tour when they missed the last tender back to the Norwegian Cruise Line ship and failed to make boarding time on March 27.

They were among a group of eight passengers left behind in the African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.

“It’s been the worst experience of our lives to be abandoned like that in a strange country, can’t speak the language,” the Sanders’ told 7 News.

“We have no money, our credit cards aren’t accepted.”

Aussies Doug and Violeta Sanders were on a private tour when they missed the last tender back to their Norwegian cruise ship and failed to make the boarding time. Picture: 7 News

The group included a pregnant woman, a person suffering from a heart condition, a paraplegic and an elderly woman who recently visited hospital.

They were forced to fork out thousands of dollars to travel to Gambia to meet the cruise ship at its next port of call.
In a statement, 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.

“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 3pm local time,” the statement said.

Violeta Sanders appears to be pushed back.

Doug Sanders, in red, says he has no cash on him and credit cards are not accepted.

“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.”

James Diamond from TWC Lawyers said a cruise ship has a right to leave without you.

“It’s a hard and fast rule. They pay a lot of money for docking fees and renting out the space. They have times that they have to leave. Those times that they have to leave. Those times are published. Unfortunately, I know it is morally incorrect, but they do have the right to leave,” Mr Diamond told Sunrise.

passengers rights are “slim to none”, Mr Diamond said, advising travellers to take out comprehensive at-fault insurance.

“We just heard from that couple they have no money, their credit cards aren’t working. If they do have at-fault insurance, that’s probably going to be their best safeguard for things like this happening,” he said.

Originally published as Australians left behind in Africa by Norwegian cruise ship speak of their horror