Well, down under, this has barely rated a mention on the nightly news and I'm sure it only got a 2 minute mention as there were a couple of Aussies left behind. Basically the passengers were late so the ship sailed without them.
I also can't see it having much effect on NCL bookings. Cruisers know the rules about getting back on time and booking independent tours at your own risk. Most of the cruise lines have the same rule and people being left behind is nothing new.
NCL and the port person were assisting them and they are group of 8, not exactly on their own. I simply can't see it being NCL's fault. I hope ships and other forms of transport never start waiting for latecomers. Yeh, all circumstances are extenuating to the individual.