Norwegian Cruise Line cancelled the cruise that was set to take place onboard the Norwegian Joy on April 12, 2027.
According to a statement sent to booked guests, the sailing will no longer go ahead due to a full-ship charter.
Sailing roundtrip from PortMiami, the vessel was set to offer a five-night cruise to the Bahamas and Mexico.
In addition to Cozumel, the itinerary included a visit to the company’s private island destination of Great Stirrup Cay, as well as two days of cruising in the Caribbean.
Norwegian said that guests will receive a full monetary refund of the fare paid for the cruise, which will be automatically returned to the original form of payment. In addition they will be getting a future cruise credit (FCC).
“We recognize this change wasn’t part of your original travel arrangements, and as a token of our appreciation for your patience, we’re pleased to offer you a 10 percent discount in the form of a Future Cruise Credit,” the company added.
The FCC can be used toward any of Norwegian’s published sailings through December 31, 2027, the statement added.
The company also said that its teams are available to book guests on alternative sailings, suggesting three similar cruises departing from Miami.
Highlighted cruises include two departures of the Norwegian Viva, sailing on April 13 and April 18, 2027.
The first sails to the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic over the course of five nights, while the second is a seven-night cruise to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Norwegian also suggested a four-night cruise to the Bahamas onboard the Norwegian Getaway on April 12, 2027. All of the options also include a visit to Great Stirrup Cay.
Joining the Norwegian Bliss, the Norwegian Encore and the Norwegian Jade, the vessel offers a series of seven-night cruises departing from Seattle.
More Information
A full-ship charter for a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel generally ranges from £1 million to over £12 million ($1.3 million to $15+ million USD) for a week, depending on the ship’s size, age, and itinerary. Chartering requires covering the equivalent of all stateroom fares, food, entertainment, and a 10% or higher initial deposit. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Considerations for Full-Ship Charters:
Costs: Rates often base on roughly $150–$200+ per passenger per day, plus taxes and gratuities, which on a 4,000-passenger ship can exceed several million dollars in total.
Capacity & Timing: Costs vary based on the ship class and season; smaller or older ships (e.g., Norwegian Sky) cost less than larger, modern vessels (e.g., Norwegian Encore).
Payments: A non-refundable deposit is required at signing, typically with the full balance due 90 days to several months in advance.
All-Inclusive Nature: The charter fee covers food, entertainment, and standard amenities, but usually excludes alcohol, spa treatments, and special excursions.
MSC Cruises is ready for the Poesia’s debut in Alaska, as the ship will spend the summer sailing Alaska cruises on Mondays from Seattle, marking the company’s entry to the region.
“We’re so excited for this moment,” said Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America.
“From the time we announced the program until now, we’ve been approaching Alaska with the understanding that this is a highly seasonal destination. A destination-driven market where the itinerary and the natural environment are such an important part of the experience for our guests.”
The Poesia emerged from drydock freshly refurbished and readied for the market.
“We’ve really thought very carefully about the refurbishment,” she said. “At the same time, we’re making sure that the destination is really reflected in the journey. We’re incorporating Alaska-inspired dining, wellness and enrichment programming. Even the small touches, we have cocktails that bring together the itinerary and the onboard experience, like ‘Unwind in Juneau.’”
Among the headline additions to Poesia is the Yacht Club, MSC’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept.
“We know we see not only strong demand for the Yacht Club, but very, very high guest satisfaction,” Torrent noted.
New dining venues including Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kyoto sushi bar have also come aboard, along with an enhanced spa.
“Butcher’s Cut rates very high in terms of guest appeal,” she added.
On the responsible tourism front, MSC has inked a partnership with Orca that Torrent called a key differentiator.
“We will have a dedicated Marine Mammal Observer onboard during peak whale season,” she explained. “That allows us to add a strong educational layer to the experience and really give guests something to be excited about.”
From Europe to North America
When MSC first opened Alaska for sale, early bookings skewed heavily toward the line’s established European loyalist base, something Torrent said was fully expected.
“As soon as we opened for sale, our very loyal and robust past guests from around the world came in,” she said.
But the North American mix has strengthened considerably since.
“We’re seeing a very healthy mix from North America,” Torrent said. “It gives us another opportunity to introduce MSC Cruises to new guests and new travel advisors in another part of the country, just like we’re seeing with Galveston. “
Sandy Cay: A Second Private Island
Beyond Alaska, Torrent pointed to Sandy Cay, MSC’s second private destination in the Bahamas, as more major news in the brand’s near-term growth story.
The island, set to open in 2028 within the same 64 square miles of protected waters surrounding Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, is being designed with both MSC Cruises guests and the line’s Explora Journeys ultra-luxury brand in mind.
“We think of Sandy Cay as a natural extension of what we’ve already built in Ocean Cay,” Torrent said. “It complements that experience and really stays true to the nature-rooted identity.”
The island will be a tender operation, with ships docking at Ocean Cay and guests ferried across. It will feature five beaches.
“The goal is really to create something that’s a bit more refined, while maintaining that very relaxed, genuine atmosphere,” she said.
Seashore Updates and Flexible Dining
Coming off an April drydock, the MSC Seashore has received a pair of new food and beverage concept.
Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs, offering breakfast burritos, pulled pork hash, brisket, and ribs from Deck 8 aft. In addition is The Chicken Man, a fried chicken and comfort food venue on Deck 18 aft.
“These venues are good examples of how we continue to evolve the onboard experience based on guest feedback and invest across the fleet,” Torrent said. “It’s not only about new ships, although we’re very focused on that, and new destinations, but it’s also about that constant evolution.”
MSC is also piloting a new flexible dining program called “Dine on Your Time,” currently available on Seashore and Seaside, allowing guests to forgo fixed dining times in favor of open seating. Traditional fixed dining times remain available for those who prefer them.
Eyes Forward
“We’re constantly innovating, expanding, and listening to travel advisors and guests as we really think about how to enhance our product,” she said.
“North America continues to be a key growth market for us, and you’re seeing that as we continue to expand our deployment in Galveston and Alaska, and strengthen our presence in our key U.S. homeports.”
In addition is the new World-Class ship, the MSC World Atlantic, which begins service from Port Canaveral in late 2027.
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