Australian Norwegian Dawn cruise passengers unleash on nightmare experience

The Aussie couple who were “abandoned” in Africa after missing their boarding time have hit out at the cruise company who left them behind.

The Aussie couple ditched by a cruise ship in Africa have unleashed on the company, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), saying the ordeal has been the “worst experience” of their lives.

Violetta and Doug Sanders appeared on Seven’s Sunrise program on Wednesday morning, days after the pair — along with six others — were left in São Tomé and Príncipe after the group arrived back late from a day tour.

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

“It’s Portuguese and African. We have no money, our credit cards aren’t accepted.”

Australian woman Violetta Saunders was barred from boarding the Norwegian Dawn after failing to return to the port on time.

The cruise company has put the blame on the passengers.

The group, which included four elderly people, a pregnant woman, a quadriplegic and a person with a heart condition, were on the island on the west coast of Africa on a private tour not organised through Norwegian Cruise Line.

Despite being assured by the private tour’s guide that they would be back in time for boarding at 3pm, the group failed to do so and as a result were left at the port.

The tour guides had contacted the ship to ask it to wait for the eight passengers – but were unable to reach the ship.

Even though the Norwegian Dawn was still at anchor, and the São Tomé coastguard took the group on tenders to the vessel, they were still refused boarding.

Norwegian Dawn cruise ship. Escape Sat Mag Photo – Michel Verdure

In a statement to news.com.au, NCL said that while it was a “very unfortunate situation” for the group of eight to be left behind, the guests were ultimately to blame for not returning to the ship on time.

“Guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time,” a spokesperson told news.com.au, adding the timeslot is “communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily print communication and posted just before exiting the vessel”.

“When the guests did not return to the vessel at the all aboard time, their passports were delivered to the local port agents to retrieve when they returned to the port, as per the regular protocol. Our team has been working closely with the local authorities to understand the requirements and necessary visas needed for the guests to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call.”

The couple said the experience had been the worst in their life.

Eight passengers were forced to travel across Africa to reboard the Norwegian Dawn.

The spokesperson put blame on the guests for booking a “private tour” rather than going through Norwegian Cruise Line’s organised activities. As a result of doing so, they would now be “responsible” for any necessary travel arrangements to rejoin the ship at the next available port.

However, the cruise line has apologised to the guests for failing to meet them at a port in Banjul, Gambia on April 1 citing “safety reasons”.

“While the eight guests made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia on April 1, 2024, unfortunately the ship was unable to safely dock in the destination due to adverse weather conditions, as well as tidal restrictions that require specific timing for safe passage,” the spokesperson said.

American couple Jill and Jay Campbell said the whole process had been “difficult”.

“While we share in our guests’ disappointment, this modification was made with great consideration for their safety and that of our crew, which is our top priority.

“We contacted these eight guests regarding this itinerary adjustment and provided them with authorisation to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal on April 2, 2024.

“Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal.

News.com.au understands that the guests have now rejoined Norwegian Dawn in Dakar, Senegal.