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The following list is showing the scheduled location of all cruise ships. Please click on the ship name to see the current ships position in a map and additional information.

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Cruise Ship Tracker, Live Map Ship Tracking

• Move your mouse or finger over the vessel for live data.
• Click a ship for even more sailing details and real-time information.
• Zoom in close enough and you’ll see the ship moving in real-time.

Live Cruise Ship Tracker

Here, you can check the current location of cruise ships worldwide. You can use this real-time cruise live ship tracker to know where your desired vessel is. You’ll be able to see your current ship position and activity. Follow the vessel as it is docked in port and anchored, and even see live speed data in real-time via an interactive world map,

Cruise Ship Tracker

AIS ship tracking is a great way to stay up-to-date on the location of marine vessels. Using the AIS system, you can track the progress of a ship as it travels from port to port. This information can be beneficial for planning your  travel  itinerary and following your ship during your cruise vacation. Every cruise line follows its vessels to keep tabs on their time of arrival and current position as well as other items that might cause delays, such as weather or other marine traffic.

Want to stay up-to-date on cruise ship locations?

The AIS system is a network of transponders that sends information like ship name, location, course, and speed. This data can be used to track the progress of a cruise ship as it travels from port to port.

What Cruise Lines and Cruise Ships are tracked?

All of the world’s cruise lines use the AIS system to track each cruise ship in their fleet using updated data. It helps large vessels like cruise ships, and others know each other’s current location, speed, heading, routes, etc. You can look up a specific cruise ship or focus on a particular fleet from your favorite cruise line. Of course, this system also can show many other vessels such as cargo ships, pilots, yachts, passenger ferries, and many more.

Automatic Identification System (AIS)

The Automatic Identification System, or AIS, is a system used by ships and other vessels to identify each other and transmit their locations. This information can be used to track the progress of a cruise ship as it travels from port to port. The data transmitted by AIS includes the vessel’s name, course, speed, destination, ship type, and any safety-related messages. It also provides an indication of the vessel’s size, type, cargo, and maneuverability. The system also uses a network of base stations located on shore.

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)

The vessel traffic services (VTS) system is used mainly for monitoring and controlling maritime traffic in an area of specific importance. With its modern  technology , it enables the authorities to observe, analyze, and coordinate the movement of vessels within a designated area. The system consists of various communication channels such as radar, AIS, VHF radio, and satellite.

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking Map

Today people are  cruising  more and more. The cruise lines make a great effort to offer passengers an enjoyable and safe experience. With AIS ship tracking, cruise lines can better manage their growing fleet. Cruise lines also have state-of-the-art fleet operation centers that enable real-time information sharing between the centers and the fleet. The fleet operation centers focus on more than just the ship’s location but also Nautical Operations & Safety, Procedural Optimization & Efficiency, and Sustainability.

What is Cruise Ship Tracking?

Cruise ship tracking is a technology that allows cruise lines to monitor their vessels in real time. AIS (Automatic Identification System) has become the standard for ship tracking, as it broadcasts the position of a vessel every few minutes. This data can be received by any receiver with an AIS system and can be used to track the progress of not only cruise ships but, other passenger vessels, cruise ferries, and even container ships. Modern vessel tracking allows authorities to see the positions of vessels in real-time. This might help you get a package on  time or in the case of cruises , plan for any delays arriving in a port.  Shore excursions  can be re-scheduled if needed well before the day arrived if a delay due to weather or another incident occurred.

What benefits of Cruise Ship Tracker?

By using the AIS ship tracking system, you can gain valuable insights about cruise ships and other vessels. The real-time data received from the AIS system allows you to stay up to date on the current location of a cruise ship, its speed, and its heading. This is great for  planning your own cruise itinerary  or just staying informed on the progress

Types of Ships Listed

The cruise ship tracking system provides real-time data for all types of vessels, not just cruise ships. This data includes a wide  variety  of vessels such as cargo ships, pilots, yachts, passenger ferries and many more. This means that you can track any vessel that is using the AIS system and receive detailed information about its current location and route.

Passenger Ships

AIS ship tracking provides real-time data for all types of passenger ships. This includes cruise ships, ferries, and other vessels that  transport  passengers from port to port. By using the AIS system, you can easily keep up with a passenger ship’s current location and speed as it travels around the world.

Cargo Ships

The AIS system also provides real-time data for cargo ships. This means you can track the progress of a cargo ship as it transports goods from port to port. This can be useful for businesses that depend on the timely delivery of their  products .

Other Types of Ships

The AIS system also provides real-time data for many other types of vessels. This includes yachts, fishing boats, tugboats, and other recreational vessels.

Popular Cruising Companies & Lines

The AIS ship tracking system can be used to track a wide variety of cruise lines and companies.  Popular cruising  companies such as the following:

• Carnival Cruise line
• Royal Caribbean International
• Viking Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Marella Cruises
• AIDA Cruises
• Phoenix Reisen
• American Cruise Lines

This means you can keep up with the current location of your favorite cruise ship as it sails around the world. All modern cruise lines use the AIS system for fleet tracking to schedule port arrivals and make changes due to weather conditions in real time.

Safety and Security with Cruise Ship Tracker

The AIS ship tracking system provides an extra layer of security and safety for fleets. Not only can the system provide real-time data on the location of a vessel, but it also allows for quick response times to any potential emergencies that may arise. Cruise lines are able to use this data to better manage their fleets and respond quickly if necessary.

Environmental Benefits

The AIS ship tracking system can also provide environmental benefits. By monitoring the progress of vessels, cruise lines, and other fleets can better optimize their routes for fuel efficiency. This means that by using the AIS system, ships can reduce their fuel consumption and emissions, resulting in a greener fleet.

Can you track every cruise ship?

No, not every cruise ship can be tracked. Some cruise ships may not have an AIS system installed, and therefore cannot be tracked. Additionally, some countries may restrict the broadcast of AIS data for security or other reasons. For these reasons, it is essential to double-check the availability of AIS data before attempting to track a specific cruise ship.

United States Coast Guard Regulations

The United States Coast Guard requires all ships operating in US waters to have an AIS system installed. This means that all cruise ships visiting the United States must have an AIS system installed and active at all times. This requirement ensures that all vessels are visible and traceable while in US waters, allowing for improved safety and security.

Emergency Situations

In the event of an emergency, AIS ship tracking can be used to quickly locate and contact a vessel in distress. By using the system, search and rescue teams can quickly and accurately locate vessels in need of assistance. This can mean the difference between life and death in some cases.

View Vessel Photos

Vessel  Photos  are listed for most ships, in addition to providing real-time tracking data, the AIS system can also provide vessel photos. This allows you to quickly and easily identify any vessels in the vicinity of your chosen port. The photos can be used to check for damage or other irregularities before boarding a vessel. Other Great Ship Tracking Websites To Track Your Ship Accurately 1. Shipfinder 2. VesselFinder 3. myshiptracking 4. Cruisemapper 5. Ship location

Modern-Day Ship Tracking

Today, people are cruising more and more. The cruise lines make a great effort to offer passengers an enjoyable and safe experience. With AIS ship tracking, cruise lines can better manage their growing fleet. Cruise lines also have state-of-the-art fleet operation centers that enable real-time information sharing between the centers and the fleet. The fleet operation centers focus on more than just the ship’s location but also Nautical Operations and safety, Procedural Optimization and efficiency, and Sustainability.

 Cruise Ship Tracking FAQ

Q: what is a cruise ship tracker.

A: A cruise ship tracker is a tool that allows you to track the location and movement of cruise ships in real-time on a map.

Q: How can I track cruise ships using a tracker?

A: You can track cruise ships by selecting a specific ship from the list and clicking on it to display its live map and current location.

Q: Can I view the speed of a cruise ship using a tracker?

A: Yes, you can view the speed of a cruise ship on the live map tracking feature of the cruise ship tracker.

Q: Is it possible to see the destination of a cruise ship with a tracker?

A: Yes, you can see the destination and ETA (estimated time of arrival) of cruise ships on the live map tracking feature of the cruise ship tracker.

Q: How do I find a specific cruise ship on the tracker?

A: You can find a specific cruise ship by entering its name in the search option or selecting it from the list of ships currently available for tracking.

Q: Is the cruise ship tracker free to use?

A: Yes, the cruise ship tracker is free to use and provides live tracking of cruise ships around the world.

Q: Can I track multiple cruise ships at the same time using the tracker?

A: Yes, you can track multiple cruise ships simultaneously by selecting the ships you want to track and displaying their live maps.

Q: Does the cruise ship tracker provide additional information about the ships?

A: Yes, the cruise ship tracker provides additional information such as the cruise news, deck plans, and other industry-related details about the tracked ships.

Q: How often is the live map updated on the cruise ship tracker?

A: The live map on the cruise ship tracker is updated frequently to ensure you have the most recent information about the ship’s location and course.

Q: Can I use the cruise ship tracker to track specific port arrivals?

A: Yes, you can use the cruise ship tracker to track specific port arrivals and departures of cruise ships, providing you with real-time information about the ships’ activities.

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How to track a cruise ship

Ever spotted a major ship on the water and wondered which ship it could be?

Stop squinting! You can use a variety of cruise tracker websites — which follow ships of all sorts around the world — to help you identify a vessel.

For the nautical-obsessed, cruise trackers can show you a specific ship's location or traffic in a particular port. They can be handy in the event of a weather-based delay or some kind of emergency situation when you're trying to figure out whether a cruise ship has left or made it back to port. You can even track a ship when you're on it to see which destinations you're cruising past. For the most part, cruise trackers are more recreational rather than practical.

Here's a list of the best cruise ship trackers and how to use them.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for TPG daily newsletter .

Can you track every cruise ship?

You can track most cruise ships, but if you're using free cruise tracking websites, you might not be able to spot your ship all the time.

Cruise ship trackers receive data through a tracking system called Automatic Identification System, according to Cruisin . Many vessels use some combination of AIS satellite relays and very high-frequency radios, known as VHFs, to transmit and accept AIS data.

However, all free ship trackers on the internet use land-based VHFs rather than satellite-based AIS to gather their ship data because it is less expensive, according to Cruisin. Since online trackers employ VHFs to track ships all over the world, you will not be able to receive data on a ship when it is sailing in the middle of the ocean.

Online cruise trackers are most reliable when a ship is closer to a shoreline or can receive AIS land-based reception.

Best cruise ship trackers

I tested several of the most popular, free cruise ship tracking websites. Here's what I learned about how to track a cruise ship.

CruiseMapper

Of the online cruise trackers I tested, CruiseMapper was the easiest to use. On CruiseMapper's homepage, you can select the cruise line you'd like to track, and then the website displays a map showing the routes of all the ships in that cruise line's fleet.

The arrows on the map indicate a cruise en route, while the points show where a cruise ship is docked.

You can also use CruiseMapper to search for a specific ship or port. When searching for a particular ship, CruiseMapper provides information about that ship's location and home base. CruiseMapper also offers links to additional details on cabins, news, recent accidents, itineraries and deck plans. CruiseMapper also provides a map of a specific cruise ship's location.

For ports, CruiseMapper offers a rundown of the port's location, city, recent news and a list of tourist activities. CruiseMapper also allows you to track the number of ships currently in or near a specific port. All you have to do is type the port you're interested in into the site's search bar on the homepage.

Compared to other trackers, CruiseMapper by far provides the most comprehensive information on cruise lines, cruise ships and ports.

Cruisin is another cruise tracker website that allows you to see maps of specific ships and port traffic around the world. While Cruisin's interface has a dated look, the website provides useful information on the ins and outs of planning a cruise trip and resources on tracking the weather ahead of an upcoming cruise. The tracker also has a forum where cruisegoers can connect and ask questions about their trips.

Other than cruise ships, Cruisin also lets you track U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy ships.

To track a cruise ship on Cruisin, you have to select a cruise line first; the website allows you to choose from 124 different cruise lines. After selecting the cruise line, the website will then ask you to choose a specific ship within that cruise line. Once you click on the ship you want to track, Cruisin will take you to a page showing an interactive map with the ship's location.

The site additionally allows you to track port traffic in real-time. To do so, select "View Ship Traffic in a Port" in the website's "Trackers" section. Then, click on one of the 14 regions that interest you. After choosing a region, you can select a port from a list; the U.S. region lists 135 ports, for example. Once you choose a port, you can see a map of port traffic and have the option to view a live webcam of the port.

Cruisin offers much information on cruise lines and tracking them, but the site's dated interface can make it a little confusing to use, especially if you're using the site's trackers for the first time.

Also, the website includes the defunct White Star Line solely to track the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, but I personally found its inclusion on the list of 124 currently operating cruise lines added more confusion.

Cruisin provides the same live cruise data as Cruisemapper and can be a useful tool if you're well versed in all things nautical.

Cruise Hive

Unlike CruiseMapper and Cruisin, Cruise Hive shows live data for a greater variety of ships, ranging from cruises to cargo vessels. To track a cruise ship on Cruise Hive, simply search for the specific ship you want to see. The website also allows you to search for ports.

If you're interested in tracking ships that are not cruises, Cruise Hive can be a handy tool. Unlike Cruisin, Cruise Hive makes a clearer distinction between cruise ships and other ships. The website's homepage displays an interactive map with a legend denoting symbols for ports, cruises, cargo ships, fishing boats, navigational and tug crafts, high-speed vessels and tankers.

Cruisehive's map is also relatively easy to use; hover over a symbol on the map to learn more about any vessel or port.

Marine Vessel

Like Cruisin and Cruise Hive, Marine Vessel is not exclusive to cruises; you can track any type of ship on the site. For tracking cruise ships, use the search bar to find a particular vessel. Marine Vessel's interface is similar to Cruisehive's; both websites feature a map displaying live data for cruises, cargo ships, tankers and other watercraft.

The main difference between Marine Vessel and Cruise Hive is the interface. Marine Vessel's site looks dated compared to Cruise Hive's, but both still provide much of the same live data.

Bottom line

Cruise trackers can be a fun way to learn more about a ship you see out at sea or look up where in the world your favorite cruise ship is sailing. After testing a few popular trackers, Cruisemapper turned out to be my favorite because it provided the most accessible information on not only the cruise line but also tourist attractions near major ports. However, you'll find the information you're looking for on any of the sites.

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Cruise Webcams to Watch Right Now

What’s the next best thing to being on a cruise ship ? Perhaps finding your next cruise deal makes top of the list but, until that next sail away party happens, watching cruise ship webcams will help as you daydream about the next group vacation .

Watching live cruise ship webcams or tuning into your favorite port cam will help keep you up to date with the comings and goings at popular cruise ports . Virtually take in the sunshine with the Port Nassau webcam or scan the Miami cruise port webcam to spy on your favorite ship as it sets sail to tropical destinations .

Not all cruise lines offer live feeds, unfortunately. The Royal cams were discontinued, for example, but there are many cruise ship webcams to watch. The Norwegian Getaway webcam offers dreamy views from the bridge, as do many others included in the list below. Take a look at our roundup of cruise ship webcams and port cam availability below.

Editor's note: Cruise lines and ports are only listed if they had active webcams at the time of publication. Some links point to aggregate pages to access the cameras from multiple ships, while others go to individual ship cams. Feed functionality and quality are subject to change at any time and are dependent on many factors, including weather, connection speeds and the whims of cruise line and port officials.

Cruise Ship Webcams: Find Your Favorite Ship in Port or at Sea

AIDA Cruises Webcams

German cruise line AIDA offers 36 cruise ship webcams , including three different perspectives from their newest ship, AIDAcosma . Guests who have downloaded Aida’s mobile app will also be able to watch live feeds from cruise ship cameras, including views from the bridge.

Costa Cruises Webcams

Costa Cruises offers a convenient landing page noting which cruise ship webcams are available. The page also shares the ship’s current position and itinerary. While these Costa cruise ship cameras offer a small live feed from the bow and aft, larger webcam views are available elsewhere.

Norwegian Cruise Ship Webcams

Norwegian Cruise Line has cruise ship webcams on much of its fleet. While there isn’t a single aggregate webcam page on NCL.com , it is easy enough to find individual cruise ship cameras by visiting NCL’s website.

On the NCL site , click on your ship of choice and scroll to the image gallery to see an option for webcam. Clicking that will produce a static recent image from the ship’s live camera. Here is a link to the Norwegian Bliss webcam , for example. Alternatively, Cruising Earth hosts a page with all the Norwegian ship cameras .

Princess Cruise Ship Webcams

Princess Cruises makes it easy to find an assortment of bridge views by housing all of its cruise ship webcams on a single page . The visual includes a note of where the ship is or is on route to.

TUI Cruises Webcams

German cruise line TUI Cruises provides a dozen live cruise ship webcams from its fleet. On the cruise line’s website, visitors can also navigate to their favorite Mein Schiff ship to watch time lapse videos from the cruise ship cameras, like this video for Mein Schiff 4 .

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises has eight webcams available online on one aggregate page. Live feeds from the cruise ship webcams note the current location and itinerary name for each Viking vessel.

Cruise Port Webcams: Watch a Live Feed of Ships in Port

Bimini Port Webcam

Curious about Virgin Voyages ? You can sneak a peek at Scarlet Lady or other vessels from visiting cruise lines, like Celebrity or Carnival , thanks to this port cam at the port of Bimini .

Cozumel Cruise Port Webcam

Grab your favorite fruity cocktail and view up to four ships at once with the Cozumel cruise port cam , which broadcasts via a live YouTube feed. You’ll be dreaming up your next Cozumel cruise booking in no time.

Grand Cayman Cruise Port Webcam

This collection of port cams at Grand Cayman shows the outdoor cruise port facilities, the dock and cargo facilities. You might catch a glimpse of sunshine, or see the occasional poor weather that strikes the Caribbean from time to time.

Grand Turk Cruise Port Webcam

While no continuous port cam feed is available, the webcam for Grand Turk 's cruise center features still images that are updated every few minutes. Even a brief glimpse is enough to get excited about reuniting with the port’s swim up pool bar .

Juneau Cruise Port Webcam

With this port cam in Juneau , Alaska, not only will you get a view of ships docked in Juneau, but you'll also catch an eyeful of floatplanes and the gorgeous scenery surrounding it all. Just click play and skip the commercial to start watching.

Ketchikan Cruise Port Webcam

Although the Ketchikan port cam is a still shot that's updated every few hours, it's a great way to

get a look at three of the port's berths. It’s also a nice glimpse at Ketchikan’s waterfront, though the Salmon Walk is just out of view.

Key West Cruise Port Webcam

This rotating webcam in Key West , set atop the Shipwreck Museum's tower, offers sweeping real-time views of the Key West Harbor. Press play on the port cam and skip the commercial to stay updated on cruise ship arrivals and departures.

King's Wharf Cruise Port Webcam

This rotating live view from the port cam at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda shows the naval yard, as well as the cruise ship dock. Click the play button and bypass the commercial to get started.

Miami Cruise Port Webcam

Port Miami , one of the busiest cruise homeports in the world, offers live panoramic views from its port cam. To watch the Miami cruise port webcam , just click on play, and skip the commercial.

Nassau Cruise Port Webcam

The Port Nassau webcam shows live views of the cruise ship docking area from the top of a nearby hotel. Hit the play button and you’ll see docked ships and sail aways aplenty. The camera moves around so you can even get a close-up view of passengers on the deck.

Port Canaveral Cruise Port Webcam

With this webcam , Port Canaveral views include images of your favorite family-friendly ships as they come and go. The port cam is set atop a nearby restaurant. Be sure to click the play button and skip the commercial to start the feed.

Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Cruise Port Webcam

Fort Lauderdale 's Port Everglades webcam is another way to keep tabs on the constant influx of ships in Florida . Check out dock views on this port cam by pressing the play button.

Roatan (Mahogany Bay) Cruise Port Webcam

Although it won't give you a view of the ship, this Roatan port cam shows you the outdoor port facilities area at Mahogany Bay . The view is a bit hazy, and it's a still photo that's only updated once every few hours, but if you're missing Roatan, this is a good way to get your fix.

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Cruise Ship Tracker

Track where your favorite cruise ships are located.

Did you know that every cruise line tracks its ships? Well, now you can track the progress of your favorite cruise ship, LIVE, courtesy of MarineTraffic ! Get information such as current location, speed, heading, routes and more.

Controlling the Ship Tracker

• Use the filter on the left of the map and select “Passenger Vessels” to view only cruise ships and other passenger vessels.
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• Click on a ship to see detailed information regarding the ship.

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Stranded norwegian cruise lines passengers missed ship ‘by more than an hour,’ company claims.

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The six American and two Australian passengers who were stranded on an African island when a Norwegian Cruise Line ship sailed off without them have returned to the vessel to continue their African voyage, as the cruise line revealed that the group caused their travel headaches over the past few days by missing their departure time by over an hour.

The eight passengers reboarded the ship making a 20-day journey across Africa on Tuesday morning in Dakar, Senegal, a spokesperson for Norwegian confirmed to The Post.

Kurt Gies, the son-in-law of an elderly woman who was also left behind by the ship after she suffered a stroke on a tour, also said he received a text message from one of the group members, Jill Campbell, saying she and her husband reboarded the ship but have not yet spoken with anyone from guest services or Norwegian Cruise Line.

“The only thing we have received so far is [a] small note from the food and beverage director with six little treats left in our state room,” Gies said she texted him.

The crew had to race through seven different countries in 48 hours to meet the ship in Senegal on Tuesday.

But by the time South Carolina couple Jill and Jay Campbell arrived in the country, they said, they weren’t even sure whether they even wanted to get back on the ship.

“After what we witnessed, we truly believe there is a set of rules or policies that the ship may have followed — they followed those rules too rigidly,” Jill Campbell  told the “Today” show.

“I really feel that they forgot they are people working in the hospitality industry and that really the safety and well-being of their customers should be their first priority,” she added, claiming the crew of the ship had a “basic duty of care that they had forgotten about.”

Keep up with The Post's coverage of the Norwegian Cruise debacle

• Eight Norwegian Cruise passengers, including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition, were stranded on an African island without money and vital medications after the vessel left port without them.
• A spokesperson for the cruise line claimed the passengers were left on the island “on their own or with a private tour” and missed the “all-aboard time” by over an hour, according to the company.
• Americans Jill Campbell and her husband, Jay Campbell, said they are unsure whether they even want to resume the 20-day voyage after Norwegian Cruise Lines forgot about its “basic duty of care.”
• The eight passengers raced through seven different countries over a span of 48 hours to make it to Senegal, where the ship docked Tuesday morning,
• Doug and Violeta Sanders, a stranded Australian couple, have spoken out about their ordeal , saying it was “the worst experience of our lives.”
• Julie Lenkoff, 80,  suffered a stroke during an excursion on the cruise — and was left “alone” and “helpless” to find her way back to the US, according to her family.
• COLUMN: Cruise ship was right to ditch the late passengers in Africa

Check out The Post’s tips on what to do if you’re left stranded like the Norwegian Cruise passengers

The eight passengers — including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition — claimed they were left behind with no money and without vital medications after the Norwegian Dawn left São Tomé without them.

The Campbells claimed the ship was still anchored off the coast of the Central African island when they showed up on Friday, but the skipper refused to let them board.

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line, however, said the group had missed the all-aboard time by more than an hour after taking a private tour of the island.

“When they missed the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. by more than an hour, their passports were left with the local port agent for retrieval when they returned to the port from their private tour (not organized by us), per the protocol,” the spokesperson said.

The Campbells have acknowledged there was “an issue” on their tour of the island, and that the guide “didn’t get us back” to the ship in time on Friday.

“We were like, ‘Our time is getting really short,’ and they were like’ ‘No problem, we can get you back within an hour,’” Jay said, adding that the tour operator contacted the captain to let them know about the delay.

In its statement, the company said that “once the guests did not make it back to the ship at the previously communicated all aboard time, we worked with them and the local port agent to assist with obtaining the necessary visas for them to rejoin the ship at the next available port.”

Attorney James Diamond from TWC Lawyers said it is a “hard and fast rule” that a ship can leave once a final call has been made.

“They pay a lot of money for docking fees, and renting out the space,” he told ”Seven’s Sunrise.”

“They have times that they have to leave, those times are published and unfortunately, I know it’s morally incorrect, but they do have the right to leave,” he said.

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How these cruise passengers missed boarding, got stranded in Africa

Both Americans and Australians were left at port after an excursion ran long.

After what seemed like a dream trip, several American travelers were left stranded at port in West Africa mid-cruise while traveling from Cape Town, South Africa, to Barcelona, Spain.

Jay and Jill Campbell told ABC News Myrtle Beach affiliate WPDE that they were in the first week of a three week voyage aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines when they stopped just off the coast of West Africa.

The couple and others opted to tour the nearby island of São Tomé and Príncipe on the afternoon of March 27, and when the excursion ran late, they said they brought it to the guides' attention.

"We were like, 'our time is getting short,'" Jay Campbell recalled, at which point he said the guide let them know, "'No problem we can get you back in an hour.'"

Upon their return, the passengers said cruise officials refused to let them aboard the ship, even as the local Coast Guard had ferried the group to the anchored vessel.

"The harbormaster tried to call the ship. The captain refused the call. We sent emails to NCL the customer service emergency number," Jay Campbell said. "They said the only way for us to get in touch with the ship is via email. They're not responding to our emails."

The Campbells say they were left stranded along with four other Americans and two Australians -- of whom one is a paraplegic, one has a heart condition and one is pregnant. Some did not have credit cards or medication that was left on board.

Cruise expert Stewart Chiron, known as The Cruise Guy, told ABC News that "the bottom line was, they were hours late, the ship was ready to go."

MORE: Norwegian Cruise Line passengers claim Antarctica voyage was rerouted mid-trip

"More than likely that the anchor was already up, and the ship was already possibly moving," he said.

He continued, "Any operation at that point to get these passengers back on the ship would have caused tremendous delays, and safety would have been a major concern."

In a statement to ABC News, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines said, "On the afternoon of March 27, 2024, while the ship was in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, eight guests who were on the island on a private tour not organized through us missed the last tender back to the vessel, therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3 p.m. local time."

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They continued, "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."

The spokesperson added that the passports for the passengers who did not return at the all aboard time "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," they said.

The Campbells said that their eight person group spent 15 hours traveling through six countries in an attempt to rejoin the Norwegian Dawn ship in Banjul, Gambia, on April 1. However, the ship couldn't dock due to low tide, so they are now trying to get to Senegal where the ship is meant to dock on Tuesday.

The Norwegian spokesperson said, "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. 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."

The cruise line contacted the guests "regarding this itinerary adjustment and provided them with authorization to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal on April 2, 2024."

In light of the "series of unfortunate events outside of our control," the spokesperson said Norwegian Cruise Lines "will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal" and are still in communication with the guests to provide additional information as it becomes available.

MORE: Meet the cruise couple who have spent over 450 days at sea so far

In a separate, unrelated situation that took place coincidentally on the same day of the voyage, the spokesperson said, "An 80-year-old woman was medically disembarked after being evaluated by our onboard medical team, who thought it best that she receive further assessment and treatment as needed from a local hospital."

"In instances such as these, as the guest was released from the hospital and in a coherent state, our protocol is to contact the guest directly, as we would not have the authority to share any medical details with anyone else without their expressed consent," the spokesperson added, saying they worked with the port agent to receive updates.

"The guest has since been escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, and then put in the care of airport staff to continue her journey to the United States, where she has now made a safe return," they said.

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Photos, video show collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge after cargo ship collision

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland collapsed Tuesday into the Patapsco River after it was struck by a large cargo ship.

The bridge's collapse has prompted huge emergency response, with the Baltimore City Fire Department describing the collapse as a mass-casualty incident, and rescue crews searching for seven people in the river. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency.

Baltimore  Mayor Brendon Scott  said on X that he was aware of the incident and was en route to the bridge. "Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway," he said.

The 1.6 mile, 4-lane bridge named for the author of the "Star-Spangled Banner," was the second-longest continuous-truss bridge span in the United States and third in the world.

Follow here for live updates → Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship collision; rescue effort underway

Photos show collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore

Videos show francis scott key bridge's collapse.

The bridge's collapse, which came after it was struck by a container ship, was distributed on social media.

What did the Francis Scott Key Bridge look like before it was hit?

Contributing: Charles Ventura, Thao Nguyen and Susan Miller, USA TODAY .

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Man finds new appreciation for life after prostate cancer diagnosis

CHARLOTTE — On any given day, you’ll find 72-year-old Oliver Blunte mulling around his garden.

But life wasn’t always this laid back for the now-retired financial services employee working in New York City. It wasn’t until he was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer at the age of 59 that Blunte had his reality check.

“Obviously, when someone says cancer its the ‘big C,’ so the first thing you think about is your life and children,” he told Channel 9′s Damany Lewis. “And it was then I decided I need to retire. There is life to live beside constant working.”

>> In the video at the top of the page, doctors says Blunte’s prognosis has drastically improved, thanks to medication and his healthy lifestyle.

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Eight passengers stranded on African island after Norwegian cruise ship left without them

A dream cruise vacation has turned into a nightmare for eight passengers left stranded on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe after their ship left without them because they were late to return from a private tour.

The tourists — six from the U.S. and two from Australia — were aboard the Norwegian Dawn, a Norwegian cruise line ship , which departed from Cape Town, South Africa, on March 20 for a 21-day voyage up the coast of Africa set to end in Barcelona, Spain, on April 10.

But on Wednesday, the group of eight tourists was late to return to the ship by more than an hour for the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. from a private excursion on the island, which was not organized by the cruise line.

Jay and Jill Campbell of South Carolina were part of the group that was left behind.

They said that their tour’s operator notified the cruise captain that they were going to be late to rejoin the ship and that the local Coast Guard tried to get them on the vessel but that they weren’t allowed to board.

As a result, the couple and the rest of the group have been stranded for days on the island off Nigeria, grappling with language, currency issues and complicated travel to catch up with the ship.

“The lovely people of São Tomé were very gracious, very hospitable. They had reached out as much as they could to help us find hotels,” Jay Campbell said on NBC's "TODAY" show Tuesday morning.

“We were able to get to a tour agency there to arrange flights to the next port of call. ... Very difficult process — you’re dealing with multiple languages, language barriers, you’re dealing with different currencies ... finding someone that even has dollars ... trying to get an agent to understand where we need to get to.

"It’s one of those ‘You can’t get there from here,’" he added.

A Norwegian spokesperson called the incident a “very unfortunate situation” and said, “Guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”

The cruise line said that after the guests failed to return, their passports were delivered to local port agents, in line with protocol. The company said it was working with local authorities to understand “the requirements and visas needed for the guests to reboard the ship at the next available port of call.”

On Monday, the guests had made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia, but the ship was unable to safely dock there because of “adverse weather conditions” and “tidal restrictions,” Norwegian said. The guests were then contacted and provided with information to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday. 

Jill Campbell said they traveled through seven countries in 48 hours to arrive in Senegal on Monday night.

But the couple was reconsidering whether they even wanted to return to the cruise.

"We are considering whether or not we are going to board the ship. It is in dock here in Senegal," she said. "We believe there was a basic duty of care that they had forgotten about, so it does concern us."

"After what we witnessed, we truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship may have followed, they followed those rules too rigidly. I believe that they really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and really the safety and well-being of the customers should be their first priority," she added.

Ultimately, the eight passengers did rejoin the cruise before 8:30 a.m. ET Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal, Norwegian told NBC News in an e-mail Tuesday evening, after this story originally published.

Norwegian said the passengers were responsible for making their own travel arrangements to rejoin the ship.

"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," a cruise line spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available."

A silver lining of the catastrophe was that the Campbells were able to connect with another Norwegian Dawn passenger — Julia Lenkoff, 80 — who was also left on the island, but for a medical reason.

Lenkoff was on a different day tour Wednesday. She had "medically disembarked" from the cruise to seek local treatment on that day, Norwegian said.

Norwegian said that its care team tried to call Lenkoff several times and was unable to reach her and that it worked with its port agent in São Tomé and Príncipe for updates on her health.

The Campbells met Lenkoff and were able to put her in contact with her family in California, who flew her home — a move Lenkoff's daughter said "saved her life."

"She's a world traveler. She travels all the time. So this was going to be one of her bucket list trips, because she's been to 120 countries so far, and she wanted to get to 130," her daughter, Lana Lenkoff Geis, said in an interview that aired Tuesday on "TODAY."

Norwegian said Lenkoff was escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, then put in the care of airport staff members to continue her journey back to the U.S., where she has safely returned.

Breaking News Reporter

Cruise liner collides with cargo carrier in Cape Town harbour

Sources say windy conditions likely to blame, only minor damage reported.

A luxury cruise liner bumped into a cargo carrier while docking in Cape Town harbour in windy conditions early on Friday, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) confirmed.

Both ships, the Ambience cruise liner and Grey Fox cargo carrier, reported minor damage and the Ambience is expected to depart on schedule later on Friday.

“TNPA can confirm an incident that occurred today [Friday] during the docking of a cruise liner that came into contact with a cargo carrier docked at B berth,” said acting port manager Ophelia Shabane.

“No passengers or crew on board the vessels were injured. The cause of the incident is being investigated and damage is being assessed. Port operations continue as normal and have not been affected. TNPA will continue to monitor the situation.”

The accident appeared to be linked to gale-force wind conditions.

“It’s why I say don’t do shipping when the wind is too strong,” said a maritime source with knowledge of the incident.

Ambience is reportedly on her maiden round-the-world cruise.

“Her first round-the-world cruise and she gets damaged in the Cape,” said the source.

UK-based ship owners Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed the liner was on a world cruise.

“We have reported the incident to local port authorities and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) and will share our findings with them. We are not aware of any further actions at this time.”

Samsa said, “We are relieved to confirm there have been no injuries because of this incident. Furthermore, there is no risk to the environment, nor to the safety of the vessel or the port. The Ambience sustained minor damage.”

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