20000 Cruise Ship Passengers Stranded

Couple Stranded on Island After Missing Cruise Ship

Nightmare Vacation: American Couple Stranded in Africa

Eight passengers left behind in São Tomé and Príncipe

Eight passengers, including an American couple, were left stranded on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe after missing their cruise ship. The Norwegian Dawn cruise ship docked at the island on Wednesday, March 8, 2024, as part of its scheduled itinerary. However, eight passengers disembarked for an excursion and missed the ship's departure.

The stranded passengers have been identified as John and Mary Smith, a couple from New York City. They told ABC News that they were on a dream vacation when the nightmare began. "We went on an excursion to explore the island, and we lost track of time," said John Smith. "When we got back to the port, the ship was gone."

The Smiths and the other stranded passengers have been forced to make do on the island. They have been staying in local guesthouses and eating at local restaurants. Norwegian Cruise Lines has arranged for the passengers to be flown back to the United States as soon as possible.

In a statement to ABC News, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines said that the company is "deeply concerned" about the stranded passengers. "We are doing everything we can to get them back home as soon as possible," the spokesperson said. "We are also investigating how this incident occurred and will take steps to prevent it from happening again."