Daughter Speaks Out After Cruise Leaves Hospitalized 80-Year-Old Mother on African Island
Seasoned Traveler Stranded After Medical Emergency
In a shocking turn of events, an 80-year old woman named Julia Lenkoff, a seasoned globetrotter who has traveled to almost 120 countries worldwide, was left stranded on the small African island of São Tomé and Príncipe following a medical emergency during a cruise voyage with the Norwegian Cruise Line.
On a voyage on the Norwegian Cruise Line, Lenkoff found herself in medical distress while on one of the Norwegian-sponsored tours. Lana Gies, Lenkoff’s daughter, spoke candidly about her mother’s ordeal: “I just know how much she was looking forward to this trip, and it was so exciting for her. And here she was on day eight, and I just felt really bad for her.”
Hospitalized then Left Behind
Julia Lenkoff was sent to a hospital in São Tomé after exhibiting symptoms that gave rise to concern. After treatment, she was released the following day. However, the cruise ship did not allow her to re-embark and she was left stranded on the island along with eight other passengers.
Gies reported her mother was displaying signs of severe confusion after her release from the hospital, describing some of the worrying symptoms, “When Jill said she’s got some confusion, that freaked me out,” admitted Gies. “Lenkoff felt dizzy, couldn’t feel the right side of her body and at one point she responded in French when people spoke to her. She doesn’t speak French on a regular basis. These are all signs of a brain injury.”
Disputes with the Cruise Line
A statement provided by the Norwegian Cruise Line claimed that Lenkoff was medically disembarked after their onboard medical team deemed it appropriate for her to receive treatment at a local establishment. However, according to Lenkoff and her family, she had not re-embarked the ship when she experienced her medical emergency, and the medical team onboard had not examined her.
The Cruise Line justified the lack of communication with Lenkoff’s family, stating that upon her release from the hospital, and being in a ‘coherent’ state, their protocol only permitted them to contact Lenkoff directly. They stated that they have ‘no authority to share any medical information with anyone else without their expressed consent.”
Return to the U.S. and Further Diagnosis
Unconvinced by the Cruise Line’s assessment of her mother’s condition, Gies worked extensively to make arrangements for her mother’s return to America. After 36 hours of tireless efforts, she managed to arrange for a route of return from São Tomé to Lisbon to Toronto and then to San Francisco. Upon landing in San Francisco, Lenkoff was immediately taken to the Stanford Medical Center for further treatment.
Gies reported the doctor saying, “Well, I wouldn’t say it was a small stroke, I would say you had a pretty significant stroke.” Lenkoff has since suffered a second, milder stroke but is reportedly doing well.
Lack of Response from the Cruise Line
Gies expressed her deep dissatisfaction and anxiety over the lack of communication from the Norwegian Cruise Line. “I have not had a verbal conversation with anybody from Norwegian, and they know who I am,” claimed a frustrated Gies.
Despite multiple attempts from our team here at HERE News Network, we have yet to receive a follow-up response from the Norwegian Cruise Line for further clarification.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
