Race to get back to the ship: Eight passengers forgotten on an island by their cruise ship

Eight passengers who were going to take advantage of their cruise ship's stop to visit an African island have been trying to catch the ship for days, after it left without them to continue its journey from the west coast of Africa.

“While this is a very unfortunate situation, it is the responsibility of guests to ensure they return to the ship on time, which is communicated extensively via the ship's intercom system, in communications daily and displayed immediately prior to departing the ship,” the ship said. Norwegian cruise. Line said in a press release, according to CNN.

Last Wednesday, passengers on the Norwegian ship were on a guided tour of the central African island of Sao Tome and Principe when they ran out of time to return to port, after insisting on a return time with their guides, Jill and Guy Campbell. He told the American media.

The couple, who had been traveling on the ship since March 20, then did everything to warn that the group would be late, but they were on their way.

But upon their arrival, if the cruise ship had still been in port, the captain would have refused to let them on board, and instead forced them to race on board at their own expense, through six countries, to try to catch their cruise to Gambia. Sunday.

Bad luck: On that day, the ship was unable to dock due to low tide, so the eight exhausted travelers had no other choice but to head to Senegal, where the ship is expected to stop on Tuesday, according to the British Daily Mail. To CNN.

The problem is that the eight forgotten people, who include several elderly people, a paraplegic and a pregnant woman, have not been able to get their medications – while still on the ship – for several days. One of them suffers from heart problems, according to the couple.

What's more, they added, is that many of them will not have credit cards accepted in Africa, so the Campbells will incur thousands of dollars in charges on their Visa card for the group's accommodations and essential products.

The cruise line did not respond to CNN's request for an interview.