This message is being written on April 1st, 2024 and it is not an April Fools joke but goes along with the above African Cruise on the Norwegian Dawn that left 8 passengers behind. So i want to start off with Yes, we are all warned about using the Excursions that are not offered by Norwegian and Yes we are warned that they will not wait for us if we are late getting back....
So what we have discovered is the passengers did arrive late back to the dock, but the ship was still anchored in the bay, but the captain refused to accept any calls by the Coast Guard in Africa trying to assist these 8? They tried NCL headquarters and no help as well, they were told to email the ship...so they did and no response by the Captain or any other representative.
About now we are starting to see some pattern going on? The next thing happened is the African Coast Guard actually took them by boat all 8, to the Dawn still anchored and they refused to allow them to board? REFUSED to allow them to board? Remember this!!!!
Next the Cruise line somehow gave there passports to the authorities so they could catch them at the next port scheduled in Gambia which would require traveling across 4 other countries. With the Embassy's help in assistance they were on there way to Gambia but the ship could not dock cause the tides were too low, so now they are on to the next port...sorry but I do not remember where this is, but its another ferry/boat ride and 4 hr drive to reach.
I realize NCL wants to make sure your all listening about using the cruise lines excursions and I understand why...but in the end it appears that there was no reason why the Captain was not allowed to board these passengers in the bay... Remember if there is a fire or another emergency the captain cannot use his power to tell you not to get off by any means possible especially if a boat willing to take you pulls alongside the ship..so a ship brings passengers that were late and pulls along side?
Unless NCL offers more information that sheds light on the cruise lines inability to allow these passengers to board by the Coast Guard boat, I am afraid NCL will not be able to attract new customers and some seasoned like myself am wondering why the Captain refused to allow them to board, but gave them there passports so they could catch the ship at the next port?
Safety is #1 and if it is not for safety Captain then What would stop you from allowing them to board? Why did you refuse to accept there repeated calls from shore to ship? Was it Safety, Quality, Rules, Laws in Africa? Apparently it is not against the law to do this cause the Coast Guard ship took them straight to the ship in the Bay.
We are listening NCL? Waiting for you to Respond?
