Tag Archives: Puerto Rico

Royal Caribbean Adds Extra Port to Upcoming Cruise

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Royal Caribbean Adds Extra Port to Upcoming Cruise

Royal Caribbean International is adding an extra port to the July 4, 2026, sailing onboard the Rhapsody of the Seas.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the itinerary will now feature an additional visit to La Romana in the Dominican Republic.

Part of a seven-night cruise to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean from Puerto Rico, the new call replaces a day at sea.

“While planning our upcoming adventure, we want to make sure you are aware of a slight change to your itinerary,” Royal Caribbean told passengers.

The company said that the visit to La Romana was added as part of its routine review of upcoming cruise itineraries.

“From time to time, updates are necessary as we finalize scheduling port arrangements and operational details,” the company added.

Royal Caribbean added that the new call will enhance guests’ experience, giving them a full day to explore an additional port.

A selection of shore excursions for the new destination will be available for guests soon, the company noted.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to setting sail with you,” Royal Caribbean added.

In addition to the newly added visit to La Romana, Rhapsody’s July 4, 2026, itinerary sails to other destinations in the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Kitts and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Sailing roundtrip from San Juan, the Vision-class ship is scheduled to visit Tortola, Philipsburg, St. John’s, Basseterre and St. Croix.

The Rhapsody of the Seas is currently offering a series of seven-night cruises from Puerto Rico that sail to destinations in the Southern and Eastern Caribbean.

Extending through 2026 and early 2027, the deployment will be followed by the ship’s return to Europe, with a summer season in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Norwegian Shifts Viva to PortMiami, Cancels Puerto Rico Season

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Norwegian Shifts Viva to PortMiami, Cancels Puerto Rico Season

Norwegian Cruise Line will redeploy the Norwegian Viva to PortMiami for the 2027-28 winter season, cancelling the Prima-class ship’s previously planned Southern Caribbean cruises from Puerto Rico.

In a notice sent to guests, Norwegian advised that all itineraries the Norwegian Viva was set to operate from San Juan between late 2027 and early 2028 have been cancelled. The 2023-built vessel will instead offer getaway cruises to the Bahamas, joining the remainder of the company’s PortMiami-based fleet.

“We are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most coveted destinations in the world,” Norwegian stated.

“Although we try to maintain original itineraries as much as possible, modifications are occasionally made to optimize voyages due to changes in port availability,” the company continued.

Guests affected by the cancellation will receive a full refund within 30 business days, in addition to a ten percent Future Cruise Credit (FCC). Norwegian said the FCC is being offered as a token of appreciation for guests’ patience and can be used for sailings departing through 2027.

For those wishing to explore other options from San Juan, the company said it will offer similar alternatives onboard the Norwegian Prima, which will continue to operate round-trip itineraries through the Southern Caribbean.

“These itineraries include many of the same highly requested destinations, as well as the same convenient and accessible departure point you originally chose,” Norwegian said.

The company also noted that the Prima and the Viva are sister ships and offer the “same high-quality amenities and experiences.”

From PortMiami, the Norwegian Viva will sail getaway cruises to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas, which is currently undergoing a major enhancement project that includes the construction of a ship pier.

“At NCL’s premier destination, our guests will get to enjoy ‘The Great Life’ in a completely new way,” the company explained.

“These recent improvements include the Great Life Lagoon, a large pool area with two aquatic bars, as well as the Vibe Shore Club, an adults-only area,” Norwegian stated.

The company also highlighted its new Great Tides waterpark, which is scheduled to open on the private island this September. Norwegian said the attraction will feature 19 water slides, in addition to a dynamic river, water features and more.

“Everything was designed to make your shore stay just as memorable as your experience onboard,” the company added.

The Norwegian Viva had originally been scheduled to sail from San Juan every Sunday between November and April, joining the Norwegian Prima for seven-night cruises to destinations such as Aruba and Curaçao.

In addition to the Norwegian Viva, the Norwegian Aura, the Norwegian Luna, the Norwegian Jewel, the Norwegian Gem and the Norwegian Joy are scheduled to sail from PortMiami in 2027-28.

As the newest and largest ships in Norwegian’s fleet, the Aura and the Luna will offer weeklong voyages to the Western and Eastern Caribbean. The Jewel and the Gem will operate a series of theme charter cruises, in addition to longer ten- and 11-night itineraries to the Southern Caribbean and Central America.

Completing the company’s lineup in South Florida, the Joy will offer three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey to Return to Cape Liberty One Day Later

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Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey to Return to Cape Liberty One Day Later

Royal Caribbean International warned guests set to embark on the upcoming cruise of the Odyssey of the Seas that their sailing will be delayed by one day.

According to a statement, the ship is scheduled to dock at its homeport in Cape Liberty on January 27, 2026, instead of January 26, 2026.

“Due to the major winter storm affecting much of the East and Northeast U.S., and the impacts on land-based travel and port operations, we are delaying our arrival into Bayonne,” Royal Caribbean said.

The company added that the decision will “allow for weather to improve and shore-based operations to recover.”

“For many guests experiencing difficulties getting to Bayonne, we hope this relieves some worry as you’ll have an extra day to make it there safely,” Royal Caribbean continued.

Originally set to offer an 11-night cruise to the Southern Caribbean, the Odyssey of the Seas is now set to offer a shortened voyage with a revised itinerary.

“Due to this change, our calls to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, will be cancelled and instead, we’ll enjoy some extra time onboard,” the company added.

Previously scheduled visits to St. John’s in Antigua, Bridgetown in Barbados, Castries in St. Lucia, and Philipsburg in St. Maarten will go ahead as planned.

As compensation for the last-minute change, Royal Caribbean is offering guests a pro-rated one-day refund of the paid cruise fare in the form of onboard cruise credit. Any refundable unused credit at the end of the cruise will be refunded to guests.

In related news, Royal Caribbean also shortened a cruise on board the Harmony of the Seas due to a winter storm in Texas.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the Oasis-class vessel returned to its homeport in Galveston one day earlier to avoid the weather system.