Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

Saint John in Canada welcomed the new Norwegian Aqua for an unscheduled visit earlier this week.

Initially set to visit Bermuda, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was diverted to the port due to the impact of Hurricane Erin.

“It was a beautiful sunny day, and guests were in good spirits despite not being at the port they signed up for,” Natalie Allaby, Port Saint John’s director of cruise, marketing and engagement, told Cruise Industry News.

“Days like yesterday remind us of how our cruise sector was born back in September of 1989: a hurricane diversion from an NYC cruise destined for Bermuda that came our way instead,” she continued.

The first cruise ship to visit Saint John was the Cunard Princess, which arrived at the port in Canada’s Bay of Fundy due to a diversion caused by Hurricane Gabrielle.

“We hope we can be of assistance should any additional diversions need to occur during the 2025 hurricane season,” Allaby added.

The call also marked the first visit of a Prima-class ship to Saint John, she added, noting that the port is happy to accommodate unscheduled calls.

After departing from New York City, the Norwegian Aqua made its inaugural visit to Saint John on Aug. 20, 2025.

The visit was part of a four-night cruise that also marked the ship’s debut in NYC and the Canada and New England region.

Initially set to include an overnight call at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, the itinerary was adjusted due to Hurricane Erin.

In a statement sent to guests onboard, Norwegian said that the change was necessary to allow the ship to “steer clear” of the storm and forecasted rough weather.

While the Norwegian Aqua is not scheduled to make additional visits to Saint John, the port is set to welcome other vessels from the company, including the Norwegian Getaway and the Norwegian Gem.

Court Upholds Bar Harbour’s Limit on Cruise Guests

Court Upholds Bar Harbour’s Limit on Cruise Guests

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. District Court’s decision that confirmed that Bar Harbour, Maine, can limit the number of cruise guests arriving in the town daily.

According to local sources, the case has now been sent back to the lower court for further comments and additional review.

Three years ago, Bar Harbour residents voted to limit the number of cruise passengers who can disembark in the town to just 1,000 per day.

As reported by Cruise Industry News at the time, the measure was proposed at a referendum and was endorsed by 58 per cent of the voters.

Supporters said that the town felt “overrun” by cruise ship traffic during peak summer months, which caused congestion and excessive traffic.

According to the Portland Press Herald, Bar Harbour welcomed over 270,000 cruise guests before introducing the limit in 2022.

Citing court files, the local news source said that the town typically welcomed 150 cruise ship calls per year.

A group of local businesses subsequently filed a lawsuit alongside pier owners, touring companies and the local pilotage association.

The parties allege that the ordinance breaks federal laws, including those that regulate interstate commerce, while also interfering with requirements for entrance into the United States and denying seafarers access to shore.

In 2024, a federal judge in Bangor found in favour of the town, deciding that Bar Harbour has home rule authority granted by the state.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals now wants the District Court to determine whether the ordinance is “clearly excessive” when it comes to regulating interstate commerce, the Portland Press Herald added.

The newspaper said that the lower court was also asked to explore whether the ordinance meaningfully advances Bar Harbour’s interest in reducing congestion and whether these results could not be achieved through less burdensome means.

Disney Adventure to Remain in Singapore For 2026-27

Disney Adventure to Remain in Singapore For 2026-27

The Disney Adventure will continue to offer short cruises from Singapore as part of Disney Cruise Line’s recently announced 2026-27 deployment.

According to the company’s website, the 6,000-guest vessel will operate a series of three- and four-night cruises during this timeframe.

With no ports of call, the itineraries feature two and three days at sea, respectively, before returning to Singapore.

Nearly 30 new sailings are currently scheduled to take place between October 2026 and January 2027.

Currently under construction at MV Werften in Germany, the Disney Adventure is scheduled to enter service later this year.

As the largest ship ever built for Disney Cruise Line, the 208,000-ton vessel was designed to serve the Asian market.

After departing Germany, the ship is scheduled to deadhead to Singapore ahead of welcoming its first paying guests on December 15, 2025.

During the 2025-26 season, the Disney Adventure will sail from its homeport in Southeast Asia for a series of three- and four-night cruises to nowhere.

The itineraries feature only days at sea and will continue to be offered during the summer of 2026 as well.

Originally ordered as Dream Cruises’ Global Dream, the vessel was acquired by Disney Cruise Line after its operator ceased operations in 2022.

In addition to the Disney Adventure in Singapore, Disney’s 2026-27 season will include itineraries in the Caribbean and on the West Coast.

The deployment is highlighted by capacity increases in Texas and California, with the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic offering more cruises from San Diego.

In Galveston, the Disney Magic is set to offer an extended season, featuring itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Three ships are scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral during the season: the Disney Treasure, the Disney Wish and the Disney Fantasy.

The Disney Destiny and the Disney Dream will offer cruises from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades.