Norwegian Changes Escape Itinerary Due to Speed Issue

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.

Norwegian Escape to Extend Call in NYC to Avoid Hurricane Erin

Norwegian Escape to Extend Call in NYC to Avoid Hurricane Erin

The Norwegian Escape is extending its visit to New York City due to the impact of Hurricane Erin on the East Coast.

After repositioning from Miami, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was scheduled to sail from its new homeport on Wednesday.

Initially set to offer a ten-night cruise to the Caribbean and Bermuda, the Escape is now set to remain in New York City for three days before operating a revised itinerary to the Bahamas and Bermuda.

“Due to the impact of Hurricane Erin and the severe weather it’s bringing to the East Coast, we’ve made the difficult decision to change the itinerary for Norwegian Escape’s August 20, 2025, sailing,” the company said in a statement sent to guests.

According to Norwegian Cruise Line, the change prioritises the safety and comfort of everyone onboard the ship.

“As a result, the Norwegian Escape will remain docked in New York until 5:00 PM on August 21, then anchor in the port before officially sailing at 11:59 PM on August 22, 2025,” the company added.

While the cruise’s original itinerary included visits to Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Maarten, Tortola and King’s Wharf, the Norwegian Escape is now set to head to Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay and King’s Wharf after departing from New York City.

“We understand how disappointing it can be when a long-anticipated vacation is disrupted,” Norwegian added.

“We thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we navigate this situation with your safety and experience in mind.”

According to the statement, shore excursions booked through Norwegian will be automatically cancelled, with full refunds credited to onboard accounts.

Earlier this week, Norwegian Cruise Line also changed the itineraries of the Norwegian Jewel and the Norwegian Aqua due to the impacts of Hurricane Erin.

Record Day: 10 Cruise Ships in Miami

According to a press release, PortMiami welcomed a record-breaking 10 cruise ships on Feb. 8.

They were the Carnival Magic, Carnival Sunrise, Zaandam, MSC Seascape, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Sirena, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and the Scarlet Lady.

Close to 68,000 passengers were expected during the day, the port said.

“It is no surprise PortMiami and the cruise industry continue to break records,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “PortMiami is the departure choice for all major cruise lines. As a destination, Miami-Dade is undoubtedly the centre of world cruise tourism with incredible weather, culture and unlimited options for exciting experiences.”

The 2025 season is filled with new cruise ships. Among the lineup of ships are Cunard Queen Anne (January 2025), MSC Cruises MSC World America (April 2025), Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Aqua (April 2025), Royal Caribbean International Wonder of the Seas (August 2025), Cunard Queen Elizabeth (October 2025), Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady (October 2025), and Oceania Cruises Allura (November 2025).