Key Aspects:
- Norwegian Cruise Line has altered several itineraries through the end of the year for Norwegian Getaway and at least one cruise for Norwegian Pearl.
- The new itineraries replace ports like Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay to prioritize calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
- Impacted guests have expressed outrage at the late adjustments to their cruise vacations.
Norwegian Cruise Line is in the hot seat after making some last-minute itinerary changes to multiple sailings before the end of 2025 that will be operated by Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Pearl.
These are all Bahamas or Caribbean-bound sailings that have been adjusted to revolve around a port call to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, allegedly to improve the cruise line’s relationship with the Caribbean destination.
“To enhance the guest experience, diversify our Caribbean offerings, and strengthen partnerships with key destinations, we’ve modified select itineraries to include additional calls to the Dominican Republic through the end of the year,” NCL wrote in emails to future guests of Norwegian Getaway.
The new sailings replace popular ports of call in the Bahamas, such as Bimini, Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay – which is the cruise line’s private island in the Berry Islands – with a day in Puerto Plata.
On Norwegian Getaway sailings, an extra sea day has also been added after the newly inserted port.
The cruise line has confirmed that Norwegian Getaway’s November 3, November 10, and December 15 embarkations have been reworked.
Impacted passengers of the Breakaway Plus-class ship also report receiving itinerary changes for the Miami-based sailings embarking on October 29 and December 11.
Only one sailing for the Norwegian Pearl has been affected thus far, which is an 11-night Caribbean voyage that will set sail in Miami on December 8.
It’s also possible that more sailings could be impacted, so guests embarking before the end of the year should keep an eye out for potential updates.
The change also comes after NCL canceled dozens of sailings for 2026 and 2027 onboard Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Getaway, and Norwegian Joy at the end of September due to redeployments.
NCL Hit With Significant Backlash
Guests who were booked on these sailings are not happy and don’t see strengthening partnerships as a valid reason for altering their itineraries at the last minute.
Many saw this as a shady way to do business, as it’s too late for impacted guests to cancel or reschedule their sailings without penalty.
Norwegian Pearl Departing PortMiami, Florida (Photo Credit: Just dance)
NCL cruises that are canceled within 30 day get no refunds, cruises canceled within 31-60 days have a 75% cancellation fee, and cruises canceled within 61-90 days have a 50% penalty.
All of the impacted sailings will embark before the new year, which is only 72 days away as of the time of publication.
“THIS IS NOT AN ITINERARY CHANGE!! It is a totally different cruise. They should be offering free cancellation or a massive FCC,” one passenger reacted.
“To do so after final payment and for a non weather or emergency reason is so messed up,” another said.
“NCL is gaining a well-deserved reputation as an unreliable, if not shady, cruise line. No other cruise line comes close to the amount of last-minute itinerary changes NCL springs on their customers,” a third chimed in.
Read Also: What You Should Know About Cruise Port Cancellations
Others wondered if the cause behind the changes was actually related to partnerships with the cruise port, or if the cruise line is hiding the real reason.
While this has not been confirmed by Norwegian Cruise Line, some have theorized that the cruise line needs to reroute some ships away from Great Stirrup Cay due to construction needs for the new pier that is currently being built.
The new multi-ship pier is supposed to be open and operational at some point before the end of the year.
“If I’m putting my conspiracy hat on for a second, I’m thinking this has a lot more to do with the pier at GSC and the drink package bleeding money at GSC than it does with strengthening partnerships,” one cruiser weighed in.
“It seems pretty obvious that they need to finish up GSC and aren’t taking passengers there. I’ll be happy when they have a dock,” someone else agreed.
But as frustrating as these changes may be, it is in the terms and conditions that guests agree to upon booking their sailings that the cruise line can cancel and change itineraries – without penalty or issuing compensation – for a multitude of reasons.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
