Tag Archives: cruise

Norwegian Changes Escape Itinerary Due to Speed Issue

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Norwegian Changes Escape Itinerary Due to Speed Issue

Norwegian Cruise Line is adjusting the itinerary of the current cruise onboard the Norwegian Escape due to a speed issue affecting the ship’s propulsion.

According to a statement sent to guests, the cruise will drop two of its planned ports of call, adding a visit to a new destination.

“We know how much anticipation and preparation go into creating the perfect getaway, and while we try to maintain the original itinerary as much as possible, occasional adjustments may be necessary to optimise your voyage or accommodate certain circumstances,” Norwegian said.

“Rest assured, these decisions are made thoughtfully and with your experience at the heart of it,” the company added.

After sailing from New York City on Saturday, the Norwegian Escape is currently offering a repositioning cruise to New Orleans.

The 14-night sailing originally included visits to eight destinations across the Southern, Eastern and Western Caribbean.

“Due to a required adjustment that slightly reduces our sailing speed (don’t worry, everything’s smooth and safe onboard), we’ll be swapping San Juan, Puerto Rico, and George Town, Grand Cayman, for an extra day at sea and a stop at the beach-lover’s paradise of Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic,” Norwegian added.

The company also said it made changes to the timing of port visits, providing guests with “as much time in each destination as possible.”

The adjusted itinerary now features visits to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Norwegian also said that shore excursions booked through the company for dropped ports of call will be automatically cancelled. Guests will receive a full monetary refund to their onboard accounts.

In destinations that underwent schedule changes, the company is also working to adjust tours to match revised port dates and/or times.

“If we’re unable to make it work, the impacted excursions will be cancelled and a full refund will be automatically credited,” Norwegian stated.

Oceanwide Expeditions Completes Upgrades on Ortelius

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Oceanwide Expeditions Completes Upgrades on Ortelius

Oceanwide Expeditions has completed two maintenance and upgrade projects on the Ortelius, improving the vessel’s operational speed and increasing fuel efficiency, the company said in a press release.

The fitting of new propeller blades and hull blasting forms part of an ongoing investment into the expedition fleet as part of a broader ESG and sustainability strategy.

The company stated that during a dry dock in September, four new bronze propeller blades were built and fitted by Dutch Propeller Repairs BV (DPR), replacing the existing stainless steel propeller blades that had been in place for several decades.

Previously, during a May dry dock, hull blasting was performed on the Ortelius’s hull, removing accumulated paint layers and reestablishing a smoother, more consistent hull surface.

Piet Vink, chief vessel officer at Oceanwide Expeditions, said: “With the completion of both projects, the Ortelius is now more ready than ever to take guests into some of our planet’s most extreme environments.”

“Both upgrades directly improve fuel efficiency and operational consistency, which, in turn, helps us further reduce operational emissions. We are delighted with the professionalism and high standards of our partners, including DPR and Shipyard Reimerswaal, in completing both projects during busy docking periods,” added Vink.

According to the company, these upgrades enhance the polar capabilities of the Ortelius.

Both projects were completed at Shipyard Reimerswaal, a long-time partner of Oceanwide Expeditions, which facilitates drydocking, restocking and maintenance for the fleet on a biannual basis.

MSC Meraviglia to Sail from Southampton in 2027

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MSC Meraviglia to Sail from Southampton in 2027

The MSC Meraviglia will sail from Southampton for the 2027 season, MSC Cruises announced in a press release.

According to the company, the 2017-built ship will arrive at the British port on May 18, 2027, kicking off a six-month deployment.

“We want to give our customers new experiences, so it’s wonderful that the MSC Meraviglia is sailing from the United Kingdom in Summer 2027,” said Antonio Paradiso, vice president of international sales at MSC Cruises.

Replacing the MSC Virtuosa, the Meraviglia will offer a series of six- to 14-night cruises to destinations in Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords.

The season also includes longer itineraries to the Mediterranean, which will feature visits to additional destinations, such as Ibiza in Spain, Tangier in Morocco and Gibraltar in the United Kingdom.

While the Meraviglia takes over the itineraries from Southampton, the MSC Virtuosa is set to operate a full season in the Western Mediterranean.

Paradiso said that the changes to the company’s deployment in the region follow guests’ feedback, noting that the two ships are part of the same class.

“We’re seeing strong demand from UK customers for Mediterranean cruises, so having the MSC Virtuosa there for Summer 2027 is a natural fit for us,” he added.

“We also offer great value Fly & Cruise prices with flights from many regional airports, so customers can relax knowing that flights, transfers and the cruise fare are all included in the price,” he continued.

Paradiso also highlighted the 2026-27 winter season in the United Kingdom, which will see the MSC Preziosa replacing the MSC Poesia.

“I’m delighted to have the MSC Preziosa back in the UK doing the longest season ever from Southampton,” he said.

The 2013-built ship is set to offer a series of seven-night cruises to England, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands between October 2026 and April 2027.

Bookings for the new 2027 itineraries onboard the MSC Meraviglia and the MSC Virtuosa are set to open on Oct. 14, 2025.