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Our lives are governed by the passage of time. Whether we're hurrying to reach a destination, eagerly anticipating an event, or meticulously planning for it, the clock and calendar can serve as both allies and adversaries.
In recent news, an incident set the stage for a controversy involving Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). In a dispute reminiscent of "he said, she said," eight passengers found themselves marooned after participating in an excursion to an island off the coast of Africa. The crux of the matter is determining where the blame lies: passengers allege the NCL ship departed without them, while NCL contends the passengers returned late to port.
The lesson here is clear: punctuality is paramount when it comes to cruise travel. While such incidents are not unprecedented in the industry, the scale of stranded passengers and the remoteness of the destination amplify the challenge. Unlike the Caribbean, where alternatives are readily available, West Africa presents logistical hurdles. Some passengers found themselves nearly 6,000 miles from home, facing a sense of helplessness compounded by financial constraints.
Cruise itineraries operate on a strict schedule akin to taking a flight. When the flight is scheduled to leave at 3 p.m., punctuality is expected by 1 p.m. Failure to adhere to this unspoken rule can yield dire consequences.
In this instance, debate ensues over the assignment of responsibility, whether it lies with the tour operator or the passengers themselves. Nevertheless, the crux lies in accepting accountability and learning from the experience.
Drawing from personal experience, I recall a missed flight early in my career. Despite the aircraft being within sight, my pleas fell on deaf ears as it departed without me. It dawned on me that I alone was to blame for failing to allocate sufficient time. This lesson resonated throughout my subsequent four decades of air travel.
The takeaway is clear: while being stranded is undeniably frustrating, it is often preventable.
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