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Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Prima to Swap Homeports

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Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Prima to Swap Homeports

Norwegian Breakaway

The Norwegian Breakaway and the Norwegian Prima will swap homeports for the 2026-27 winter season, Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement.

After announcing the cancellation of over 40 sailings onboard the ships, the company said that the Breakaway will now offer itineraries from New Orleans, while the Prima will sail from Puerto Rico.

“Due to a fleet redeployment, the Norwegian Breakaway’s sailings from November 8, 2026, through and including March 29, 2027, have been cancelled, and the ship will be repositioned to New Orleans,” Norwegian explained.

“In her place, the Norwegian Prima will sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico, offering the Norwegian Breakaway’s original Southern Caribbean cruises during the same time frame,” the company continued in a letter sent to booked guests.

Bookings for the new itineraries on both ships will be available for booking starting August 8, 2025.

“As passionate cruisers ourselves, we know this wasn’t part of your plan, and we truly apologise for any disruption or disappointment this may cause,” Norwegian added.

The company stated that it’s working to implement the change “as smoothly as possible,” noting that full monetary refunds will be automatically issued to the original form of payment used by guests at the time of booking.

“We recognise that this wasn’t part of your original travel arrangements, and as a token of our appreciation for your patience, we’re pleased to offer a ten per cent discount in the form of a Future Cruise Credit (FCC),” Norwegian added.

According to the company, the credit can be used towards any published sailings through December 31, 2027.

Earlier this month, Norwegian announced the cancellation of over 40 sailings set to take place onboard the Norwegian Breakaway and the Norwegian Prima between November 2026 and March 2027.

The Norwegian Prima was initially set to debut in New Orleans during the 2026-27 season, while the Norwegian Breakaway was poised to debut in Puerto Rico.

Norwegian Epic Completes 15 Years of Service

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Norwegian Epic Completes 15 Years of Service

The Norwegian Epic recently completed 15 years of service after being delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line on June 17, 2010.

The 150,000-ton vessel was built as a prototype vessel at the STX France Shipyard, currently known as the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, in St. Nazaire, France.

After leaving its building dock, the Norwegian Epic embarked on a series of pre-inaugural cruises before setting sail from Southampton, England, for a seven-night crossing to New York City.

Continuing its maiden season celebrations, the vessel was christened by entertainer Reba McEntire on July 2, 2010.

After additional celebrations in New York City and Miami, the Epic officially embarked on its inaugural season on July 10, 2010.

Sailing from PortMiami, the ship offered a series of alternating seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Ports of call included Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Costa Maya, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; and Roatán, Honduras.

In 2011, the Norwegian Epic repositioned back to Europe for its first summer season in the Mediterranean, before returning to Miami ahead of the 2011-12 winter season.

Earlier this year, the 4,200-guest ship underwent a significant refit at the Chantier Naval de Marseille in France.

As part of the project, the ship debuted new venues, including an expanded Vice Beach Club and a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park.

Other changes include the addition of eight new staterooms, as well as the debut of a new hot tub and enhanced exterior decks.

After completing its renovation, the Norwegian Epic embarked on a summer season in the Mediterranean.

Sailing from Civitavecchia, a port near Italy’s capital city of Rome, the ship is offering nine- and ten-night cruises to destinations in Greece and Malta.

Ports of call being visited include Valletta, Heraklion, Santorini, Piraeus, Katakolon, Argostoli and Mykonos.

In November, the Norwegian Epic repositions to the Southern Caribbean for itineraries departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Norwegian Epic to Debut Enhancements Ahead of European Season

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The Norwegian Epic will debut noticeable enhancements ahead of its upcoming summer season in Europe, Norwegian Cruise Line said in a press release.

According to the company, the 2010-built ship is currently undergoing a three-week dry dock, which is set to end on May 8, 2025.

Renovations include eight new cabins, a new hot tub on Deck 18, in addition to a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park that replaces Splashgolf.

The new space provides more fun-in-the-sun activities for adults and children alike, the company said.

The ship’s Vibe Beach Club is being expanded to offer an additional hot tub, as well as more lounge chairs. Replacing the Posh Beach Club, the adults-only outdoor deck will also offer new private cabanas.

The drydock plans also include the addition of eight new staterooms – a combination of balcony and ocean-view cabins.

“Delivering the best vacation experience for our guests, where they have the freedom and flexibility to do more of what they love, is, and will always continue to be our goal,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“By listening to guests’ feedback, we are excited to provide them with MORE to do on board starting this summer as Norwegian Epic sets sail for Europe,” he added.

After completing its drydock, the Norwegian Epic launches a series of cruises to the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles.

The ten- and 11-night cruises sail from Civitavecchia, the port of Italy’s capital city, Rome, and visit a wide range of destinations, including Mykonos and Santorini.

According to Norwegian, the itineraries also sail to historic cities such as Naples, Catania, and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy.

After its summer deployment in Europe, the Norwegian Epic sets sail to the Caribbean for cruises departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Southern Caribbean itineraries include visits to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.