Violetta and Doug Sanders have been identified as the two Australians that missed returning to Norwegian Dawn on time, as the ship left without them from Africa’s West Coast.

The incident made headlines worldwide as a group of eight tourists, including four elderly people and a quadriplegic returned late from a private tour and were denied re-entry to their cruise.

The Aussie couple were interviewed by Sunrise.

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

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

Another couple, Jill and Jay Campbell, were travelling with Doug and Violetta Sanders, also paying the ultimate price for returning with the late tour group.

Now the Campbells have has rushed through Africa to arrive in Senegal before the Norwegian Dawn arrives there shortly.

However, Ms Campbell has revealed the couple is debating whether to even board the ship once again, due to feeling upset with the cruise line.

She told NBC: “We are considering whether or not we are going to board the ship.

“We truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship follows, they follow those rules too rigidly. They really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and that the safety is and the wellbeing of their customers should be the first priority and that should be placed first.

“It was a basic duty of care that they have forgotten about. It does concern us.”

Mr Campbell spoke of the difficult process to get back into a position to board the ship.

“It’s a very, very difficult process. You’re dealing with multiple languages, different currencies, finding someone that will even take dollars.

“I think we flew through six countries just to get to The Gambia yesterday.”

The group has spent USD$7500 on accomodation while attempting to get back to their cruise ship.

NCL wrote in a statement: “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.”

Little sympathy from cruisers

Cruise Passenger readers expressed little sympathy for the couple. Many experienced cruisers felt that if you choose to take a private tour you are assuming the risk of not being able to get back on the ship.

Nelle Lyn wrote: “This is why I alway use the cruise tours – more expensive but they wait for you. We were over 2 hours late in Japan and as it was a cruise tour they waited. And anyway you are repeatedly told both in written and verbal form when to be back. I have no sympathy – take responsibility.”

Lyn also stressed how this demonstrates the importance of taking tours with the cruise line.

“This is why I alway use the cruise tours – more expensive but they wait for you. We were over 2 hours late in Japan and as it was a cruise tour they waited. And anyway you are repeatedly told both in written and verbal form when to be back. I have no sympathy – take responsibility.”

Carole Marshall wrote: “If you are told what time you need to be back on board, so no sympathy from me.”

Deb Murphy wrote: “Private tours means taking the risk, the ship is on a timetable and at the mercy of tides, if you’re not back in time it’s your problem!”