Norwegian Cruise Line Shocks Passengers with 35 More Cruise Cancellations—Are You Affected?

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has once again announced a wave of cancellations, this time impacting 35 cruises scheduled between November 29, 2025, and April 11, 2026.

The cancellations come on the heels of a similar announcement just weeks ago, where months of itineraries across five ships were axed.

The latest decision affects four of the fleet’s most popular vessels: Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Joy.

Norwegian Cancels 35 Cruises Due To Redeployments

Details on the Cancellations

The cancellations, attributed to “fleet redeployments,” affect cruises departing from various ports, including Los Angeles, Port Canaveral, and Miami. Among the disrupted itineraries are several highly anticipated voyages:

• Norwegian Bliss lost nine cruises, including a repositioning trip from Los Angeles to Miami.
• Norwegian Breakaway saw 10 short Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral in early 2026 canceled.
• Norwegian Encore had seven sailings, including round-trip voyages between Miami and Los Angeles, removed. Reports suggest the Encore and Bliss may swap itineraries.
• Norwegian Joy canceled nine cruises, including a rare 23-night repositioning cruise from Port Canaveral to Seattle.

While Norwegian Joy still has Alaska cruises scheduled for May 2026, a new repositioning itinerary will likely need to be announced soon.

Compensation for Affected Passengers

NCL is offering impacted passengers a full refund of their cruise fare, including taxes, fees, and prepaid expenses. Refunds will be processed to the original form of payment, though processing times may vary based on financial institutions.

Additionally, travelers will receive a 10% Future Cruise Credit (FCC), which can be applied to a future sailing. These credits are set to be distributed starting December 9, 2024.

However, the terms of the FCC may vary depending on the originally booked voyage.

This compensation mirrors NCL’s response to a previous round of cancellations involving 38 cruises across Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Dawn earlier this year.

Passenger Frustrations Mount

The repeated cancellations have sparked disappointment among loyal cruisers. Many passengers meticulously plan vacations years in advance, often securing airfare, accommodations, and other arrangements tied to their cruise itineraries.

Last-minute disruptions can lead to significant inconvenience, particularly when related travel plans are non-refundable.

For those who booked unique repositioning voyages, such as the 23-night cruise on Norwegian Joy, the cancellations are particularly disheartening. These itineraries are often viewed as “bucket list” experiences that are difficult to replicate.

While some travelers appreciate the 10% FCC, others argue it falls short of adequate compensation, especially given the lack of transparency around the cancellations.

Uncertainty About NCL’s Future Plans

NCL’s recent history of large-scale cancellations has left many passengers questioning the cruise line’s stability and planning. In the past 18 months, Norwegian has announced multiple rounds of cancellations, with no clear communication about the reasons behind these decisions.

As travelers navigate their options, some are left wondering whether more cancellations could be on the horizon, further impacting their future travel plans.