An Oklahoma family of nine was stranded in Ketchikan, Alaska, after a local tour operator mix-up caused them to miss their cruise ship's departure. The Gault family, part of a larger group of 16 on a $30,000 family reunion trip aboard the Norwegian Encore, faced significant challenges when non-ticketed passengers took their seats on a bus back to the port. Despite reaching out to the port authority for assistance, they returned to the dock only to see their ship sail away with their passports, medication, and belongings. The cruise line fined them nearly $9,000 for missing the ship due to a federal law requiring a foreign port visit before returning to the U.S. With one passport left behind, the family couldn't meet the ship at its next port in Canada, forcing a multi-day journey home involving numerous stops, canceled flights, and overnight airport stays.