Disappointment for Norwegian Passengers as 35 More Cruises Are Axed in Major Fleet Shakeup

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the cancellation of 35 cruises for the 2025-26 season, affecting four of its ships: the Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Joy.

This decision is part of a strategic fleet redeployment aimed at optimizing resources and aligning with market demands.

The Norwegian Bliss will cancel nine cruises scheduled between November 30, 2025, and March 3, 2026. These itineraries were set to explore the Panama Canal, the West Coast, and the Caribbean. The Norwegian Breakaway will cancel ten cruises from January 6 to February 6, 2026, which were short, three- and four-night trips to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral.

All cruises on the Norwegian Encore between November 30, 2025, and January 16, 2026, have been cancelled. This ship was scheduled to sail from Miami and Los Angeles, offering routes to the Panama Canal, West Coast, and Caribbean. The Norwegian Joy will not operate nine planned cruises from November 29, 2025, to April 11, 2026, which included Caribbean destinations such as Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and Tortola, departing from Port Canaveral.

Passengers affected by these cancellations will receive notification letters starting December 9, 2024. Norwegian Cruise Line has assured full refunds for all affected passengers and is considering additional compensation options to address the inconvenience caused by these changes.

In late November 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line had already cancelled over 50 cruises on other ships, including the Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, and Norwegian Jade, also due to fleet redeployment.

These cancellations highlight the dynamic nature of the cruise industry, where strategic decisions can lead to significant operational changes. Industry experts are closely monitoring the situation to assess its long-term impact.

For cruisers, these cancellations emphasize the importance of flexibility and contingency planning. Affected passengers are advised to explore alternative travel options and stay informed about potential changes in their travel plans.