Man Spent Rs 17 Lakh On Round-The-World Cruise, It Left Without Him

Christopher Chapel has accused the doctor on the cruise ship of not informing him properly about the procedure to be followed.

A man was left heart-broken after the cruise ship he had been on left without him while he was undergoing medical tests in the Philippines. Seventy-two-year-old Christopher Chapel from the UK had spent 17,500 pounds (Rs 17.83 lakh) for round-the-world trip that started earlier this year. But halfway through the trip, he started feeling nausea and visited the ship's doctor to get himself checked. The doctor recommended Mr Chapel to get himself checked thoroughly saying he would not be allowed on board.

So, he got off the cruise ship on the island of Palawan in the Philippines on March 4 for a check-up. Fortunately, it turned out to be a mild case of heatstroke. However, in a stroke of bad luck, the ship left by the time Mr Chapel's tests were done.

Mr Chapel and his niece contacted the cruise organisers and travel insurers, who said his condition was marked critical, making his return difficult.

The 72-year-old was also deemed unfit to fly to Manila, so he had to undertake the trip to the Philippines capital by boat. He was finally allowed to board a flight and reached his home in the UK on April 7.