Norwegian Aqua Skips Bermuda, Diverts to Canada as Hurricane Erin Nears
Passengers aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, are finding themselves on an unexpected northern voyage after the line announced a major itinerary change to avoid Hurricane Erin.
From Bermuda to Canada
The 156,300-gross-ton ship set sail on August 18, 2025, for what was scheduled to be a 4-night roundtrip cruise from New York with a single stop in Kings Wharf, Bermuda.
But with Hurricane Erin—currently a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 miles per hour—tracking northward, Norwegian opted to reroute. Instead of Bermuda’s pink sand beaches, guests will now dock in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, on August 20.
“To steer clear of Hurricane Erin and the forecasted rough weather, we’ve made the decision to adjust our route to keep everyone safe and sound,” Norwegian explained in a letter to passengers.
The ship is expected to arrive in Saint John at 8:30 a.m. and remain until 9 p.m.—though Norwegian noted the final decision will rest with the Captain and Harbor Master. If conditions worsen, the ship may depart soon after arrival.
Guest Compensation
To offset the disappointment, Norwegian Cruise Line is providing passengers with a $100 non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom ($50 per guest for up to two). In addition, guests will receive a 20% Future Cruise Credit, valid on sailings through December 31, 2026.
All shore excursions in Bermuda have been automatically cancelled and refunded, while new excursion options for Saint John are available at the ship’s Deck 7 Shore Excursion Desk.
Timing the Storm
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Erin will move near Florida’s southeastern coast on August 19, track along Georgia and South Carolina’s coastlines by August 20, and reach the Mid-Atlantic by August 21. The storm is projected to approach the northeast around August 22—coinciding with Norwegian Aqua’s scheduled return to New York.
Although forecasters currently do not predict a direct U.S. or Canadian landfall, the cruise line stressed that weather conditions remain unpredictable.
A Rapidly Intensifying Storm
Erin’s development has been notable. Forming off the coast of Africa on August 11, the storm quickly intensified into a hurricane as it passed through the Caribbean by August 15.
Within just 25 hours, it strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds—one of the fastest progressions on record—before being downgraded to Category 4 status.
At present, Erin is north of the Turks and Caicos Islands, moving at about 13 mph. Cruise ships like Norwegian Aqua are capable of outrunning hurricanes, but the diversion ensures passengers remain far from its projected path.
Looking Ahead
Norwegian Aqua is just one of several cruise ships forced to reroute as Erin churns through the Atlantic. While passengers may be disappointed by missing Bermuda, the diversion to Canada means guests can still enjoy a full port day and stay clear of dangerous conditions.
Guests are scheduled to disembark safely in New York on August 22, 2025—just as Hurricane Erin makes its way north.
