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September 27, 2022 Florida braces for Hurricane Ian

By Adrienne Vogt , Aditi Sangal , Elise Hammond and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN

Port closures force cruise lines to cancel voyages

From CNN’s Jamiel Lynch

Port closures have forced Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines to cancel voyages ahead of Hurricane Ian.

Carnival Cruise Lines: With the closure of the Port of Tampa Bay and the Port of Jacksonville, the company canceled multiple cruises planned for Thursday including; a four-day Carnival Paradise cruise which was sailing from Tampa and a four-day Carnival Elation cruise which was sailing from Jacksonville, a spokesperson said.

Guests will receive a full refund and a 25% future cruise credit, according to a Carnival spokesperson. 

Carnival also had to reroute or change ports on other ships due to Hurricane Ian. 

Norwegian Cruise Lines  has canceled its 10-day voyage of the Norwegian Getaway which was scheduled to depart Thursday from Port Canaveral. 

Norwegian also changed the itinerary of its eight-day sail on Norwegian Sky, which left Miami on Sunday. Instead of its scheduled Western Caribbean stops, the ship will now make stops in the Eastern Caribbean.

Florida governor to provide an update on Hurricane Ian at 11 p.m. ET

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will provide an update on the status of Hurricane Ian in an 11 p.m. ET news conference on Tuesday from the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee. 

DeSantis will be joined by Kevin Guthrie, state Department of Emergency Management director and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.

The governor's earlier update could be viewed as a live stream on his Twitter account .

More than 30,000 workers mobilized to support power restoration following Hurricane Ian

From CNN’s Amanda Musa

More than 30,000 workers from at least 23 states are being mobilized to respond to any power outages caused by Hurricane Ian, according to the Edison Electric Institute.

“Customers in Ian's path are urged to pay attention to local alerts and to heed all safety and evacuation warnings,” a statement from the company said.

The Edison Electric Institute is the association that represents all US investor-owned electric companies, the statement shows.

Hurricane Ian is expected to impact most of Florida this week, according to CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller. Afterward, the system is expected to bring rain and wind to parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina as a tropical storm, Miller said.

CNN’s Brandon Miller contributed to this report

Hurricane Ian track shifts south but Tampa remains prepared, mayor says

From CNN’s Amy Simonson

Although Hurricane Ian’s track has shifted south, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said mandatory evacuations and preparations are continuing. 

“The latest predicted path of hurricane Ian shows that it may land a little further south than first anticipated, which wouldn't be good news for our neighbors, but would be for the Tampa Bay area," she said at a news conference on Tuesday.

Sherry Jacobs, a spokesperson for Tampa Electric who was also at the news conference, said power to downtown Tampa will not be interrupted as was previously planned now that the storm has shifted.

Castor said that even with the slight change in trajectory, Tampa will not come out of the storm unscathed. In anticipation of high water, she urged people to evacuate from flood zones. People are heeding that warning so far, according to Castor, with record numbers of people on the interstates.

She also said that police officers have been going into neighborhoods to make sure mobile homes in evacuation zones have been cleared. Tampa Police Department Chief Mary O’Connor said there are approximately 1,000 police officers on the streets of Tampa ready to assist.

O’Connor said that while the state of emergency is in place, any burglary or thefts that are committed will bring stiffer penalties, a move that she believes will help protect businesses and residences.  

Many Florida rivers are already in flood stage before the arrival of Hurricane Ian

From CNN's Brandon Miller

Several rivers across central and western Florida are already above flood stage before the arrival of Hurricane Ian.

More than double the normal amount of rain has fallen over southern Florida in the past two weeks, with amounts over 6 inches in many areas as a result of a stationary front that has been draped over the state. 

The Peace River, which flows from central Florida in Polk County and empties into Charlotte Harbor, has several gauges above flood stage on Tuesday.

In Arcadia , the river is at 13.5 feet, which is already high enough to affect several dozen homes along the river, according to NOAA and USGS data. The river is expected to rise several more feet in the coming days as Ian’s rainfall flows into the river, bringing it to major flood stage.

The already high rivers will make river flooding even more of a threat as Ian dumps torrential rainfall over the next 48 hours. The hurricane’s winds could also push a dangerous surge up the Peace River, causing a bottleneck that would lead to even more flooding in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.

Publix closes hundreds of stores in 11 counties due to the storm

Hundreds of Publix grocery stores will close Tuesday and are expected to remain closed through Thursday due to Hurricane Ian, according to Maria Brous, Publix director of communications.

Brous told CNN that the following counties will see closures Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. ET and will reopen on Friday:

• Charlotte County
• Collier County
• DeSoto County
• Hernando County
• Hillsborough County
• Lake County
• Manatee County
• Pasco County
• Pinellas County
• Sarasota County

“Information continues to evolve, and additional stores and counties have or will be added,” Brous said.

Meanwhile, stores in Polk and Highlands Counties are expected to remain open until 4 p.m. ET, Wednesday and remain closed through Thursday, reopening Friday, according to Brous.

“The time to evacuate is now,” Florida emergency management official warns

Officials in Florida are urging residents in the path of Hurricane Ian to follow evacuation orders.

 Standing beside Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials, Guthrie left in no doubt that those who ignored the warnings would be courting possible disaster.

“I implore, I urge everyone that is in an evacuation zone that has been asked to evacuate – the time is now. You must evacuate now. There will be a time when it will not be safe to travel the roads,” Guthrie said.

“There will come a point in time when local public safety officials will not be able to respond to your cry for help. You may be left to fend for yourself. Again — the time to evacuate is now,” he added.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to close Wednesday and Thursday

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be closed Wednesday and Thursday of this week due to Hurricane Ian, according to a news release.

“The decision was made after reviewing the latest forecast of Hurricane Ian and to ensure the safety of visitor complex guests and crewmembers,” the news release noted.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is located on Merritt Island, Florida.

CNN's Devon Sayers contributed to this report.

More than 2.5 million Floridians are under some sort of evacuation order, DeSantis says

Over 2.5 million people in Florida are now under some type of evacuation order, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during an update on Tuesday evening.

At least 1.75 million people are under mandatory evacuation orders, according to a tally by CNN of local city and county governments.  

“These hazards are real,” DeSantis said, urging Floridians to heed evacuation orders in their counties.

In addition, he said:

• Emergency shoulder use  has been activated on Interstate 4 to help the flow of traffic as people evacuate. 
• At least  56 schools have announced closures  due to the hurricane and over 5,000 National Guard troops have been activated to help with storm recovery.
• At least 30,000 linemen have been staged for power restoration across the state.

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• Cruise and Hotels
• Norwegian Cruise
• Understanding Norwegian Cruise Hurricane & Weather Policies: Stay Informed for Your Safety

When embarking on a cruise vacation, it is important to be aware of the potential impact that weather conditions, such as hurricanes, can have on your trip. Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the industry’s leading cruise lines, prioritizes the safety and well-being of its passengers and has established comprehensive hurricane and weather policies to ensure a smooth and secure sailing experience.

To help you navigate these policies and make informed decisions, we have compiled a guide that outlines the key points you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Hurricane & Weather Policies: Stay Informed for Your Safety. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, this information will empower you to plan and prepare for any potential weather-related disruptions, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable cruise experience.

Key Points to Know:

1. Monitoring Weather Conditions: – Norwegian Cruise Line closely monitors weather conditions through its dedicated Fleet Operations Center (FOC). The FOC utilizes advanced technology and expert meteorologists to track and assess any potential weather-related threats. – Passengers are encouraged to stay informed by regularly checking the official Norwegian Cruise Line website (www.ncl.com) for updates on itinerary changes, port closures, and any other weather-related advisories.

2. Itinerary Modifications: – In the event of severe weather conditions, Norwegian Cruise Line may modify or alter the ship’s itinerary to ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers and crew. – It is important to note that itinerary changes are made with careful consideration, taking into account the latest weather forecasts and guidance from relevant authorities. Passengers will be notified in advance of any itinerary modifications.

3. Travel Insurance: – Norwegian Cruise Line highly recommends purchasing travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances, including weather-related disruptions. – Travel insurance can provide coverage for trip cancellations, delays, and other expenses incurred due to weather-related issues. It is advisable to review the terms and conditions of the insurance policy to understand the coverage provided.

4. Communication Channels: – Norwegian Cruise Line maintains open lines of communication with passengers to provide real-time updates and important announcements regarding any weather-related changes. – Passengers are encouraged to download the Norwegian Cruise Line mobile app, which provides convenient access to up-to-date information, including itinerary updates and emergency contact details.

By staying informed and being prepared, you can navigate Norwegian Cruise Line’s hurricane and weather policies with confidence. Remember to check the official Norwegian Cruise Line website for the most accurate and reliable information regarding your cruise. Your safety and enjoyment are of utmost importance, and Norwegian Cruise Line is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and memorable vacation experience.

Sources: – Norwegian Cruise Line: Hurricane & Weather Policies. Retrieved from https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/book-with-confidence#hurricane – Cruise Critic: Norwegian Cruise Line Hurricane Season Cruises. Retrieved from https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2887 – Travel Insurance Review: Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Insurance. Retrieved from https://www.travelinsurancereview.

What happens if theres a hurricane during my cruise?

If a hurricane occurs during your Norwegian Cruise, the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew members are of utmost importance. Norwegian Cruise Line closely monitors weather conditions and has established comprehensive hurricane and weather policies to ensure your safety. In the event of a hurricane, the ship’s captain and professional meteorologists work together to make informed decisions regarding the ship’s itinerary. These decisions may include altering the ship’s course to avoid the storm, changing the port of call, or canceling the cruise entirely. Passengers are kept informed through regular updates and are advised to stay informed through various communication channels, including the ship’s public address system, onboard TVs, and the Norwegian Cruise Line website. It is crucial for passengers to follow all instructions and guidelines provided by the ship’s crew for their safety and well-being. For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line’s hurricane and weather policies, please visit their official website.

Is it safe to be on a cruise ship during a hurricane?

When it comes to cruising during a hurricane, safety is the top priority for Norwegian Cruise Line. The company has implemented comprehensive weather policies to ensure the well-being of its guests. Norwegian closely monitors weather conditions and works closely with meteorologists and government agencies to make informed decisions. In the event of a hurricane, the ship may alter its itinerary to avoid the storm and ensure a smooth and safe journey for all passengers. It is important for travelers to stay informed by regularly checking the Norwegian Cruise Line website, which provides real-time updates and information on any itinerary changes or potential impacts of severe weather. By staying informed and following the guidance of the cruise line, passengers can enjoy a safe and enjoyable cruise experience. For more information, please visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s website: [https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/peace-of-mind](https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/peace-of-mind).

How do cruises ensure safety?

Cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, prioritize passenger safety by implementing robust policies and procedures to navigate through hurricane and severe weather conditions. These policies are designed to ensure that passengers stay informed and protected throughout their cruise experience. Norwegian Cruise Line closely monitors weather patterns and collaborates with meteorological experts to assess potential risks and make informed decisions. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the cruise line may modify itineraries, change port destinations, or even cancel a cruise to guarantee passenger safety. Passengers are promptly updated through various communication channels, including onboard announcements, daily newsletters, and the Norwegian Cruise Line website. By staying informed and adhering to these policies, passengers can enjoy their cruise experience with peace of mind knowing that their safety is the cruise line’s top priority. For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line’s hurricane and weather policies, please visit their official website.

Which Norwegian cruise was cancelled due to hurricane?

Norwegian Cruise Line’s itinerary, the Norwegian Escape, was cancelled due to Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew members is the top priority for Norwegian Cruise Line, and they closely monitor weather conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise experience. In such cases, the cruise line provides updates and necessary information to passengers through their official communication channels. It is important for passengers to stay informed about weather policies and understand that changes in itineraries can occur to ensure everyone’s safety. For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line’s weather policies, please visit their official website: https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/book-with-confidence/hurricane-dorian-updates.

Carnival cruise hurricane policy

Carnival Cruise Line prioritizes the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew members in the event of a hurricane or severe weather conditions. They closely monitor weather forecasts and maintain constant communication with local authorities to make informed decisions. If a cruise itinerary is impacted by a hurricane, Carnival may modify the route, change ports of call, or even cancel the trip altogether to ensure the safety of everyone onboard. Guests are encouraged to stay informed about any updates or changes through Carnival’s official communication channels, including their website and social media platforms. It is essential for passengers to review Carnival’s hurricane policy and understand the options available to them in such situations. For more detailed information on Carnival Cruise Line’s hurricane policy, please visit their official website [insert link to Carnival Cruise Line’s hurricane policy].

In conclusion, understanding Norwegian Cruise Line’s hurricane and weather policies is crucial for any cruise passenger to ensure their safety and peace of mind while on board. By staying informed about the latest weather conditions and being aware of the policies and procedures in place, travelers can make informed decisions and take appropriate actions in the event of inclement weather.

Norwegian Cruise Line prioritizes the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew members above all else. They closely monitor weather patterns and work closely with meteorological experts to assess any potential risks. By implementing comprehensive policies and procedures, they aim to minimize any disruption caused by hurricanes or severe weather conditions.

It is important to note that Norwegian Cruise Line may alter itineraries to avoid areas affected by hurricanes or other severe weather events. This is done to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members on board. While this may result in changes to the planned ports of call or schedule, it is a necessary measure to avoid any potential risks associated with adverse weather conditions.

Passengers are advised to stay informed about the weather conditions in the areas they will be visiting before embarking on their cruise. Keeping track of weather updates from trusted sources such as the National Hurricane Center (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) or the National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/) can provide valuable information about potential storms or other weather-related concerns.

Norwegian Cruise Line also provides timely updates and notifications to passengers regarding any changes to itineraries or onboard activities due to weather conditions. It is essential for passengers to regularly check their email or the cruise line’s official website for any announcements or instructions.

In the event of a hurricane or severe weather situation, Norwegian Cruise Line has established comprehensive policies to ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers. These policies may include itinerary changes, delays, or even cancellations. However, the cruise line’s priority is always the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew.

Passengers who have booked their cruise directly with Norwegian Cruise Line or through a travel agent are advised to familiarize themselves with the cruise line’s cancellation and refund policies. Understanding these policies can help passengers make informed decisions regarding their travel plans in case of severe weather conditions.

It is worth noting that travel insurance can provide an added layer of protection and peace of mind in the event of trip disruptions caused by hurricanes or severe weather. Travel insurance policies often cover trip cancellations, delays, or interruptions due to adverse weather conditions. However, it is essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of the insurance policy to understand the coverage and any exclusions.

In summary, staying informed about Norwegian Cruise Line’s hurricane and weather policies is crucial for ensuring your safety and making the most of your cruise experience. By keeping track of weather updates, understanding the cruise line’s policies, and considering travel insurance, passengers can navigate through potential weather-related challenges with confidence. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew members are always the top priority for Norwegian Cruise Line, and they have established robust policies and procedures to address any weather-related concerns. So, embark on your cruise adventure, stay informed, and enjoy a memorable and safe journey with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Sources: 1. National Hurricane Center: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ 2. National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/ 3. Norwegian Cruise Line Official Website: https://www.ncl.com/ 4. Travel Insurance Review: https://www.travelinsurancereview.

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How Cruises Navigate the Rough Seas of Hurricane Season

After devastating hurricanes struck the caribbean and florida this fall, travelers may wonder what to expect in terms of sailing conditions and itinerary changes when cruise lines encounter serious storms..

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When it comes to monitoring weather and hurricane season, this is not the cruise industry’s first rodeo.

Photo by Shutterstock

As hurricanes Fiona and Ian devastated the Caribbean and Florida last month, heading as far up the eastern Atlantic coast as Newfoundland, Canada, and leaving a trail of destruction behind, cruise ships were left unscathed. How did they avoid calamity?

Today’s modern cruise ships are built to withstand storms, avoid them, and even outrun them. Cruise companies follow the weather very carefully, changing itineraries, canceling sailings, and working hard to keep passengers and crew out of harm’s way.

Millions of cruisers are in the Caribbean on dozens of ships during the hurricane season, which roughly runs from the start of June until the end of November. In addition to the Caribbean, storms can impact the Atlantic coast of the United States and Canada and along the Mexican Riviera on cruises out of California that sail to such ports as Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

The largest storms tend to hit the eastern Caribbean in August through October and the western Caribbean from September through November. These late summer and fall periods are also when you are likely to find some of the best cruise deals of the year.

For those temped by the savings, it’s worth noting that most cruises are not physically impacted by hurricanes. But if you book a cruise that takes place during hurricane season, be prepared for possible last-minute itinerary changes and cancellations should there be storms. If you have your heart set on your cruise visiting a particular island, you may be better off avoiding hurricane season sailings—no matter how good the deals are.

How cruise ships monitor for hurricanes and severe weather

Major cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean , Celebrity Cruises , Carnival Cruise Line , and Princess Cruises , continuously monitor weather patterns around the world.

The captain and officers on each ship have access to weather maps and satellite images and storm models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And they get updates from teams on the ground monitoring storms.

Royal Caribbean Group , which includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and luxury line Silversea , hired its own meteorologist, James Van Fleet , in 2017; during hurricane season, he is based in Miami in a storm monitoring center with a 25-foot wall of weather screens. The rest of the year he trains cruise ship crew on how to deal with weather conditions.

He provides public reports on forecasts and conditions on his Instagram account . It’s fascinating reading for weather enthusiasts and includes very practical information for those who have a cruise coming up.

Carnival similarly monitors weather conditions from its fleet operations center, which opened in 2018 at the company’s Miami headquarters and runs 24/7. The center keeps in touch with ship captains as weather systems develop.

Thankfully, when storms and hurricanes do develop, cruise lines often have time to plan. Most storms appear on weather radars 7 to 10 days before they hit. And when it comes to cruise ships and storms, cruise lines leave nothing to chance.

How cruise lines handle rerouting ships during a hurricane

Hurricanes may cause ships to miss ports as they seek calmer seas, and in some cases, itineraries are changed more drastically. You may find your eastern Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten is changed to a western Caribbean cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, or the opposite.

Hurricanes can have an impact on a wide range of itineraries across numerous destinations. During Hurricane Fiona in September, for instance, some ships were rerouted away from Puerto Rico, others away from Bermuda, and still others away from Canada.

Passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway out of New York thought they were heading to Bermuda, but ended up instead visiting Newport, Rhode Island; Portland, Maine; and St. John in New Brunswick, Canada, due to Hurricane Fiona.

That ship was hardly alone. Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian resulted in hundreds of itinerary changes, and some cancellations as well.

Leading up to Hurricane Ian, the Florida ports of Key West, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Port Canaveral were shut down, leaving some ships at sea.

Passengers on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship Disney Wish had their four-night sailing out of Port Canaveral extended by a day when the ship could not return to port and instead found calmer seas to hang out in. A video was posted on Twitter of passengers cheering when they learned they would have more time on the ship. Passengers on the next sailing weren’t as lucky. Their cruise was canceled due to the late arrival of the incoming sailing.

Staying at sea is often a safer bet for ships during a hurricane, as they are not in danger of hitting any structures or rocks as they might be in port.

How rough do cruise ship sailings get during hurricanes?

While your ship can avoid the brunt of a storm, you shouldn’t assume you won’t feel some rocking and rolling. If you are cruising in hurricane season, it’s best to be prepared with a seasickness remedy .

You’ll know rough seas are expected not only based on the captain’s daily briefings but also by actions by the crew—such as dampening tablecloths so that dishes don’t fall off. If the ship’s pools and water park close, time to take some seasickness medication if you’re prone.

Should you set sail during a hurricane?

Whether or not to sail on a cruise during hurricane season is a very personal decision. But note that having your cruise impacted by a hurricane is rare, even at the height of the season. You may actually find little to no impact on your cruise vacation.

Whatever you decide, you are certainly not going to find yourself sailing right into a major storm, so deciding whether to cruise or not is a matter of comfort and convenience—not safety. At worst, you may experience some rough seas. And you should be prepared to be flexible in terms of any possible itinerary changes.

It’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance that covers trip disruption for weather-related changes, so that you are covered for any flight changes or hotel stays should your cruise be changed or delayed.

If ports are missed, the cruise line may compensate passengers with onboard spending credit to use for drinks and Wi-Fi and other purchases, but that’s totally at its discretion. If the cruise is canceled due to a hurricane you can expect a full refund, and some lines will also provide a discount on a future sailing in addition to the refund, the cruise line’s effort to sweeten the pot so you will rebook.

If you are cruising in hurricane season, it makes sense to keep track of the weather prior to your cruise so you aren’t blindsided should changes occur. Check with your cruise line if you have concerns and to stay up to date on any announcements made by the company.

• Norwegian Cruise Line

Need to cancel cruise due to hurricane

By rosyjen22 , September 5, 2017 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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My husband and I are booked for this weekend's Bahamas cruise on the Sky. We live in South Florida and category 4 Irma is a major problem for us. I am hoping NCL cancels the cruise. But if they do not, there is no way we can leave our children behind in this storm. We DO have trip insurance through Expedia but it doesn't cover for any and all cancellations, and I'm not sure it will cover for this.

Does anyone have any advice on addressing the issue with NCL? Have you experienced anything like this? I am wondering if they will issue a voucher or something to apply the cost of this cruise to a future one?

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BirdTravels

Why another thread. You have already posted on the other thread that you are going to stay home with your kids.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=53978744&posted=1#post53978744

As far as NCL, they operate every cruise. Some have to leave late (like last year when the Port of Miami closed for a day). Or some of the POA cruises last year departing early last year to avoid hurricanes.

Why another thread. You have already posted on the other thread that you are going to stay home with your kids. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=53978744&posted=1#post53978744     So that my question can reach everyone and not only those who are reading the second thread. Thanks.

No advice needed. You don't address the issue with NCL when you use a Travel Agent...the TA owns the booking, so you have to address any and all issues with them. Between your TA and your travel insurance provider, you should be able to come to a result that most satisfies everyone.

You have to remember, since you did schedule a cruise during hurricane season, and since you apparently do not have cancel-for-any-reason insurance, that this may result in a loss for you. That has to be expected. However, you can't simply push that loss off on NCL.

Exactly. The net is that without Cancel-Any insurance, any call to cancel the cruise prior to the cruise line making the call will be considered a voluntary cancel for insurance purposes and is not covered by the vast majority of such policies.

Your best bet is to wait until the cruise line makes any announcement as to options and choose the one with least impact.

wordsjustfly

My husband and I are booked for this weekend's Bahamas cruise on the Sky. We live in South Florida and category 4 Irma is a major problem for us. I am hoping NCL cancels the cruise. But if they do not, there is no way we can leave our children behind in this storm. We DO have trip insurance through Expedia but it doesn't cover for any and all cancellations, and I'm not sure it will cover for this.   Does anyone have any advice on addressing the issue with NCL? Have you experienced anything like this? I am wondering if they will issue a voucher or something to apply the cost of this cruise to a future one?

Hi there - How stressful. I'm super sorry. I would wait it out and see what the cruise line has to say – giving you the best options that have a least impact to you. And just ignore those that are snarky – I get it. Your mom and you're worried about your kids and you want to make sure that this post gets the most coverage. Hang in there.

You have to deal with the insurance company.

I don't think the mis-named "cancel for any reason" will let you cancel because you are afraid of a hurricane, possible hurricane, or feel it is ethically right to stay home rather than leave in the event your house gets damaged. Every policy is different, but usually they are insuring your TRIP and the DESTINATION, not your HOME. From Steve's TripInsuranceStore.com :

Trip Cancellation – you have to completely cancel your trip. Some plans require a 12 hour while others require a 24 hour shut down of common carrier service. TravelSafe Classic and Plus allow you to cancel your trip within 36 hours of your Scheduled Departure Date and time if your Trip destination is under a Hurricane warning issued by the NOAA National Hurricane Center, provided the cancellation of your Trip occurs more than 15 days following the effective date of coverage for your plan. Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector and Plus allow you to cancel your trip within 48 hours of your Scheduled Departure Date and time if your Trip destination is under a Hurricane warning issued by the NOAA National Hurricane Center, provided the cancellation of your Trip occurs more than 15 days following the effective date of coverage for your plan.

So, for the OP, don't worry about having the "right kind of insurance". It is unlikely you could find a policy that would cover you for this. Bad weather is one of the events with a lot of exclusions. You will most likely lose what you've paid, but get a refund on the portion you have paid that is port fees and taxes. There is no harm in asking your insurance company first, then NCL, but I suspect you won't get any satisfaction from them.

It's painful, but family is more important than money.

So, for the OP, don't worry about having the "right kind of insurance". It is unlikely you could find a policy that would cover you for this. Bad weather is one of the .

Lots of "cancel for any reason" Policies. Even NCL will give you 75% back as credit for any reason.

newmexicoNita

OP what a situation you are facing. I too would not want to leave my kids. Family is more important than a few $$S or even a few thousand. There is never any guarantees something will not go wrong, especially when it comes to weather conditions. All you can do now is wait and see what happens. Living in Florida you certainly know threats are one thing, actual hurricanes hitting are something totally different. You are at the mercy of mother nature. NCL will make a decision in another few days, nothing you can do til then. To be honest, chances are you will lose your money with the exception of taxes and port charges but maybe NCL will offer a voucher for a future cruise or something. Good luck, we are all watching to see what Irma does.

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Why not take the kids with you?

It's true that NCL will not talk to you if you've booked through a TA, which we always do. The other day I had a most general question about a future cruise we booked. Nothing specific, no changes. I emailed NCL. I got a phone call back the next day. That's the good news. Bad news, very nice customer service lady said I must ask even my simple question through my TA who could then research it through NCL.

Too late to do that. Cruise is this weekend.

From NCL Facebook page:

9/5, 9:30 ET:

At Norwegian Cruise Line, the safety and security of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance. The company is continually closely monitoring weather systems, including the tropics, and all Norwegian Cruise Line ships offer state-of-the-art radar and weather equipment. In the event of inclement weather, our ships will sail a route around the affected area, to have the least impact to our guests and crew. At this time, all of our ships are sailing as scheduled but please stay tuned for specific details regarding Norwegian Sky 9/8 sailing & Norwegian Escape 9/9 sailing. Should there be any updates, guests will be advised and updated information will be posted on www.ncl.com.

I don't think the mis-named "cancel for any reason" will let you cancel because you are afraid of a hurricane, possible hurricane, or feel it is ethically right to stay home rather than leave in the event your house gets damaged. Every policy is different, but usually they are insuring your TRIP and the DESTINATION, not your HOME. From Steve's TripInsuranceStore.com :       So, for the OP, don't worry about having the "right kind of insurance". It is unlikely you could find a policy that would cover you for this. Bad weather is one of the events with a lot of exclusions. You will most likely lose what you've paid, but get a refund on the portion you have paid that is port fees and taxes. There is no harm in asking your insurance company first, then NCL, but I suspect you won't get any satisfaction from them.   It's painful, but family is more important than money.

It's really up to the individual policy - you need to read the entire thing to see what is covered. The policies I have bought include both issues at the destination AND issues at home. I'd read the policy bought and read it very carefully to see what may or may not be covered.

Cancel for any reason truly allows you to cancel whenever you want - the caveat is that you may only get 50-75% of it covered if the cancellation is not due to one of the major hazards specifically written in the policy. In which case, wanting to stay home with kids definitely qualifies under "for any reason," but you may only get a portion back rather than the full cruise amount.

Ok this is ridiculous. NCL will not place their ships and employees and passengers in the line of a hurricane. If Florida will be affected, they will cancel the cruise. They will have all their ships far away anywhere near the hurricane. You need to relax and wait this out.

Yes, I have been on a cruise that was cancelled due to a hurricane. They will not have their ships anywhere near a hurricane. Obviously.

Ok this is ridiculous. NCL will not place their ships and employees and passengers in the line of a hurricane. If Florida will be affected, they will cancel the cruise. They will have all their ships far away anywhere near the hurricane. You need to relax and wait this out.   Yes, I have been on a cruise that was cancelled due to a hurricane. They will not have their ships anywhere near a hurricane. Obviously.

But the hurricane might hit Florida after the ship departs, and the OP is worried about leaving kids during a hurricane.

You may still be able to take your children on the sailing if there has been a cancellation by another passenger.

NCL may send your sailing up to Canada, shorten it or just cancel. No way of knowing but definitely keep on top of it with your TA who will probably know before you. I would just hang in there until you find out what NCL decides to do about your sailing. Otherwise you may lose out on a future cruise credit and getting money back on your current sailing.

Don't give up yet.:)

johnnypiano

You're in luck:

• Norwegian Sky, September 8 from Miami: The ship’s three-day Bahamas cruise has been cancelled. We will be providing a full refund to all guests, plus a 50% future cruise credit.

You're in luck:     • Norwegian Sky, September 8 from Miami: The ship’s three-day Bahamas cruise has been cancelled. We will be providing a full refund to all guests, plus a 50% future cruise credit.

Man, I'd take that. 50% future credit. Heck yeah.

Obviously having probably looked forward to the cruise FOREVER like most of us that book a year out or more, that part would stink.

That's a first. But I guess they can't get to any other ports after bringknthe ship home a day early from Cuba

What a relief!! NCL made the right call. Now I can focus on my home and my kids. Thanks all for the advice!! Be safe.

Thanks for the empathy!! We had looked forward to my "birthday cruise" for quite some time. So relieved we won't lose the money and can rebook.

You're thread topic is misleading. You WANT to cancel, not NEED to cancel.   However: • Norwegian Sky, September 8 from Miami: The ship’s three-day Bahamas cruise has been cancelled. We will be providing a full refund to all guests, plus a 50% future cruise credit.

No, "need" is the correct word. But thanks for the input.

From NCL Facebook page:   9/5, 9:30 ET: At Norwegian Cruise Line, the safety and security of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance. The company is continually closely monitoring weather systems, including the tropics, and all Norwegian Cruise Line ships offer state-of-the-art radar and weather equipment. In the event of inclement weather, our ships will sail a route around the affected area, to have the least impact to our guests and crew. At this time, all of our ships are sailing as scheduled but please stay tuned for specific details regarding Norwegian Sky 9/8 sailing & Norwegian Escape 9/9 sailing. Should there be any updates, guests will be advised and updated information will be posted on www.ncl.com.

I think OPs concern is with leaving her kids behind, in case of the hurricane hits, not anything else particularly; certainly not the route the ship takes. As for yesterday it looked pretty bad for Florida and the gulf coast, but the op can pretty well be assured by this time tomorrow we will all know what to expect. At least have a good idea.

Now I see my post doesn't apply as we know what NCL is doing.

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Norwegian Getaway Cruise Cancelled Due to Hurricane Ian

• September 28, 2022

Norwegian Cruise Line is cancelling the next departure of the Norwegian Getaway due to the impact of the Hurricane Ian in Florida.

“The safety and comfort of our guests and crew is always our number one priority. Due to the projected path of Hurricane Ian, Norwegian Getaway’s September 29, 2022 sailing has been cancelled. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause,” the company said in a statement issued to booked guests and travel agents.

Cruising to the Eastern Caribbean, the cancelled voyage was set to depart from Port Canaveral. The nine-night cruise included visits to Great Stirrup Cay, St. Maarten, St. John’s, San Juan, St. Thomas and Puerto Plata.

According to the letter, impacted guests will receive a full refund to the original form of payment, in addition to a 25 percent future cruise credit.

The FCC can be used for any voyage departing through December 31, 2023, and will be available as of October 10, 2022.

Meanwhile, guests who booked air through Norwegian Cruise Line and are currently in transit will have their return home tickets reissued by the company.

“Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience as a result of this unforeseen event,” the company added.

The Norwegian Getaway’s next scheduled cruise departs Port Canaveral on October 8. The week-long voyage features calls in San Juan, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata and Great Stirrup Cay. 

The Hurricane Ian is also impacting other cruise ships currently sailing in the area.

In addition to Norwegian, Carnival Cruise Line was also forced to cancel cruises onboard the Carnival Paradise and the Carnival Elation due to tropical storm.

Departing from Tampa and Jacksonville, respectively, both voyages were set to depart on September 29.

Other cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, have also altered itineraries.

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How a cruise line evacuated 3,000 guests from the Caribbean in 4 days

A week ago Tuesday, Norwegian Cruise Line executives got some good news — and some bad news.

The good news was that Norwegian Escape, which had been damaged when it ran aground off Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic on Monday, March 14, was deemed seaworthy and able to sail back to its home in Port Canaveral, Florida.

The bad news? The line's expert consultants thought it best that passengers not be on the ship for that transit.

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Suddenly, the cruise line's home office team had to drop their daily responsibilities and transform into an emergency evacuation squad. Their mission: Fly more than 3,000 passengers back to Florida from the Dominican Republic in time to catch their Saturday flights home — just four days away.

To complicate matters, the nearby Puerto Plata Airport (POP) is tiny without a large number of daily commercial flights. And roughly 350 passengers were not carrying passports because they're not required for a round-trip Florida cruise. It was spring break, with record numbers of people traveling due to pent-up pandemic demand.

It wasn't always pretty, but here's how Norwegian Cruise Line pulled it off, according to its president and CEO, Harry Sommer.

Even before the decision was made that passengers would not sail home with the ship, Norwegian's travel department reached out to the three or four charter flight companies they work with regularly.

The conversation, according to Sommer, went something like this: "OK, not quite sure if we're going to need you or not, and we won't know for a few hours, but if we need you, what type of planes can you put out? How fast can you turn them?"

To complicate matters further, most of the carriers Norwegian was working with did not have preestablished landing rights with the Dominican Republic. The process of acquiring those rights typically takes several months, but the cruise line told the charter companies, "We don't have three months to figure this out. You have one day."

The charter companies worked some magic, but it wasn't instantaneous.

The first got approval to land in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, with the rest acquiring landing rights later in the week. The first charter flight took off with Escape passengers on Wednesday, but most of the flights went out Thursday and Friday, with two on Saturday. (It was supposed to be just one, but one plane had a mechanical issue, and those passengers had to spend a night in a hotel until they could get out Saturday morning.)

In total, the line required 16 flights across five carriers to get upwards of 3,000 passengers back to Florida. Though Norwegian wouldn't say which charter companies they used, a search on the FlightAware flight tracking website showed flights operated by Eastern Airlines, Omni Air International, Air Century, Nolinor and GlobalX. The cruise line used a mix of 767s, A320s and A321s, and a handful of people actually boarded a commercial flight back to Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Other considerations included not having flights land after midnight because U.S. Customs and Border Patrol at Orlando International shuts down for the night between 12 and 1 a.m., and cabs stop running then as well.

The passports

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative allows U.S. citizens to exit and re-enter the U.S. without a passport if they're sailing on a cruise round-trip from one U.S. port and visiting only destinations in North and Central America (including U.S. states and territories, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda).

Norwegian Escape was sailing an itinerary that fit these parameters, and roughly 350 passengers on board were not carrying passports. In order to fly back to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic, however, travelers are required to have a passport.

"So, we had to work closely with our contacts at Customs and Border Patrol to see if we can make an exception for these 300 people," explained Sommer, a process "that doesn't happen in five minutes."

Related: Trip wrecked: 7 ways to prepare for any kind of travel disaster

While they waited, the Norwegian Cruise Line team played through all the possibilities of how to get passengers home if the exemption wasn't granted. "Our Plan L — I wouldn't even call it a Plan B — is we have other ships that call on Puerto Plata on a regular basis," said Sommer. Because Norwegian Encore calls weekly in Puerto Plata, one option could have been for passengers to board that ship when it arrived and sail back to Miami, where they could be bussed to Port Canaveral.

Another possibility would be to take all the guests without passports to the nearest American consulate in Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic.

"I can't imagine that would have been a very good experience for our guests. Or the consulate, used to dealing with one or two people, not 350 guests showing up all at once," said Sommer.

In the end, though it took them a few hours to respond, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol did grant the exemption to the Norwegian Escape passengers and let them return to the U.S. despite not having passports with them. The best-case scenario was the one that came to pass.

With thousands of passengers to get home, how did Norwegian decide which guests to put on which flights? Would the VIP suite occupants get priority over the folks in the cheaper cabins? Sommer said they used three factors to determine who got on which flight.

"We were trying to split out the people that lived locally in the Orlando region from the other people," he said. Basically, the passengers who drove to the port would need to get bussed to Port Canaveral on arrival in Orlando so they could pick up their cars and drive home. The folks who flew to their cruise would likely want to stay in Orlando to catch their flights home.

Keeping the Central Floridians and other drivers together made the logistics easier when it came to organizing buses during the busy spring break season and organizing staff to monitor the port area, given preexisting pandemic-era staffing issues.

Norwegian also needed to keep families and other people traveling together on the same flight. And, finally, the CBP requested that all the passengers without passports fly together on their own flights, not mixed in with other travelers, so the processing would be simpler.

"We tried to use those parameters to put people on flights," said Sommer. The bulk of the passengers -- 90% according to Sommer -- were flown home on either Thursday or Friday.

The airport

The most chaotic portion of the evacuation effort was definitely the situation at Puerto Plata airport. Take a look at Twitter, and you'll see complaints coming from passengers who spent hours at the airport with nothing to eat and little idea when their flight would depart.

So why did Norwegian Cruise Line choose to send cruisers home from this tiny airport?

"In a normal world, we try to go to a bigger airport like Santiago or Santo Domingo, but those were relatively far away from where the ship was and are relatively busy," said Sommer.

A transfer to a larger airport would involve a two-hour or longer bus ride, possibly over mountains. So, the line made the decision to base its airlift operation at the closest airport to the ship, Puerto Plata.

Unfortunately, the infrastructure of the airport was not set up to handle the onslaught of nearly 2,000 Norwegian passengers trying to get home. "It's a really small airport, so there's only a limited number of check-in counters," said Sommer. Suddenly, the airport had to accommodate six or seven extra flights on both Thursday and Friday, and it didn't have enough check-in counter space to handle that efficiently.

Nor did it have the staff.

"The charter companies contracted with the local company that does check-in at the airport. They pulled out all the stops and found every single person that they could to come in," said Sommer.

It wasn't enough. Even with NCL's local on-the-ground representatives stationed at the airport (and at the hotel that accommodated passengers scheduled for Saturday flights), Sommer acknowledges they could have used more people to make the transfers go more smoothly.

Related: What to ask for when things go wrong on your cruise ship

That's an understatement. From what passengers posted on social media, most didn't know there were any Norwegian representatives at the airport and they certainly weren't getting the level of service from them they were used to on board the ship. The nearly 2,000 Norwegian passengers were left in the hands of the charter airlines and their hastily assembled on-the-ground teams, at an overwhelmed airport that could not handle the crowds, and the experience was incredibly stressful.

"It wasn't really a huge difference between the first flight and the last flight," said Sommer, and while that is true when talking about time, he neglected to mention one huge difference. On Friday, Norwegian Escape disembarked all its remaining passengers and left.

Thursday travelers could wait on the ship, with all its amenities, until it was time to go to the airport. Friday travelers had to get off the ship early, wait at the port for buses to the airport, then sit at the airport -- sometimes all day -- waiting for their flight.

That meant tensions were high and moods were sour even before people arrived to check in for their flights.

So why didn't Norwegian Escape stay in port an extra day to ease the burden on the airport and see everyone off safely?

"We had operational issues that required us to return on Friday" was all Norwegian would say. Which doesn't feel like a satisfying answer for guests who spent an uncomfortable day at the airport.

Norwegian did go above and beyond to make guests whole. It refunded the entire cost of their paid cruise fare and gave them a future cruise credit to take another sailing on Norwegian's dime. The cruise line's travel department rescheduled travel plans for passengers who'd booked airfare through Norwegian and did not charge any change fees. Independent travelers were given free Internet access onboard to make any necessary arrangements.

And, of course, the cruise line footed the bill for the entire rescue operation, from hiring the charter planes to providing buses from Orlando back to Port Canaveral.

Mission accomplished?

In just four days, Norwegian managed to fly more than 3,000 passengers from the Caribbean to Florida — including successfully repatriating hundreds of guests without passports. It chartered 16 flights, found last-minute hotel space in Puerto Plata, and mobilized teams in the Dominican Republic and Florida to assist guests.

For some passengers, however, the logistical successes of Norwegian employees pale in comparison to the communication and people management failures that occurred once the ship departed.

When your dream holiday or much-awaited spring break goes wrong, and you're subjected to uncertainty, queues, long waits and unexpected costs from changed travel plans, you're not likely to think about the huge effort that went into simply getting you home. Many are likely wondering if the whole situation could have been avoided by better decision-making by the captain. (No verdict has been announced about whether the grounding was due to human error or a combination of unexpected wind and bad luck.)

The takeaway? Travel always involves a certain amount of risk. You can't avoid unexpected problems on the road, but you can take steps to make getting through the situation less stressful.

Purchase travel insurance to cover airline change fees or last-minute hotel stays when your travel plans go awry. Always pack extra snacks and medications, and bring an external battery to charge electronics on the go. Whenever you leave the country, even on cruises where you don't need one, carry a passport. And try, as hard as it might be, to embrace a Zen and patient attitude in the face of adversity.

In this case, having a major cruise line working tirelessly to get folks home kept a bad situation from becoming even worse. (Imagine trying to get, on your own, from Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo to the consulate to apply for an emergency passport and then have to make and pay for your own flight arrangements home during spring break.)

In hindsight, the ship should have stayed longer and the line should not have relied on the charter airlines to manage the airport crowds, but in the end, everyone got home safely, and that was the cruise line's number-one priority.

Unfortunately, as is often the case when travel plans go awry, while the solution was certainly impressive, it was not always pretty.

A group of cruise passengers stranded off the coast of Africa spent 6 days chasing the ship to get back on

• Eight passengers chased their cruise ship around Africa for six days.
• Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the passengers re-embarked in Senegal on Tuesday.
• They were stranded in São Tomé and Príncipe and missed a chance to re-embark in Gambia.

A group of passengers left stranded on a small African island after missing a boarding deadline finally managed to rejoin their cruise ship on Tuesday after chasing it for almost a week.

On March 27 a private tour overran, causing eight passengers to miss the Norwegian Dawn's 3 p.m. all-aboard time by over an hour, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed via email to Business Insider.

The passengers found themselves stuck on São Tomé and Príncipe , an island nation of some 220,000 people off West Africa, in what the cruise line called a "very unfortunate situation."

Related stories

Despite the efforts of São Tomé and Príncipe Coast Guard to ferry the passengers to the ship in tender boats, the group was unable to reboard and had to turn back to land, according to the ABC affiliate WPDE.

The first attempt to get the guests back on the ship occurred on Monday, when they hoped to re-embark at a port in Banjul, Gambia, some 1,800 miles from São Tomé and Príncipe.

However, "adverse weather conditions, as well as tidal restrictions" meant that the ship could not dock safely, a spokesperson for the cruise line said.

As a result, the guests had to chase the ship to Dakar, Senegal — a distance of some 100 miles further — for another attempt to re-embark on Tuesday.

Norwegian said it helped the passengers by facilitating their visas, and would pay them back for the trip from Gambia to Senegal.

Jill Campbell, one of the passengers, told NBC News that she and her husband traveled through seven countries in 48 hours to catch up with the ship.

It wasn't clear exactly what route they took.

The couple had considered not rejoining the ship, believing that Norwegian Cruise Line had fallen short in a '"basic duty of care," Campbell told NBC News.

But, six days after being left behind in São Tomé and Príncipe, the cruise line confirmed the eight passengers, including the Campbells, finally re-embarked in Senegal on Tuesday.

Watch: Stowaways survive 14 days at sea clinging to a ship rudder

• Main content

Why a major Miami cruise company has canceled over a dozen international trips for 2025

M iami-based Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled at least 14 cruises on 7 ships in 2025 as a booming industry confronts global conflict and other issues.

The cancellations include trips in May and September on Norwegian Viva, the company’s newest ship, and ones in April through June on Norwegian Sky, which frequently sails from PortMiami.

Norwegian said customers who are affected will get a full refund and a 10% discount on future sailings through Dec. 31, 2025.

In a statement, the company said that the cancellations “are a result of varied events, including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas.”

Suspended trips include the Norwegian Jade from Feb. 20 through March 24, 2025. That ship often departs from Port Canaveral.

Norwegian remains optimistic about cruising. This week, the company ordered eight new ships, its largest ever single purchase, a milestone celebrated at Seatrade Cruise Global, a four-day annual industry conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center. They will be delivered between 2026 and 2036.

Since the terror group Hamas attacked Israel and the Gaza war started in October, cruise companies have been canceling trips to the Middle East.

Next year’s cruise cancellations affect passengers of the Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Viva.

A March 28 letter to passengers said: “We have been monitoring the situation in Israel, and despite our best hopes that it would de-escalate, we have made the decision to alter published itineraries that transit through and around the region.”

For Epic, the decision was made “in order to reroute her and accommodate the early start to her Caribbean cruise season.”

The Sky will be rerouted around Africa and deployed to Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa, a letter to those passengers said.

Viva is being sent to the Mediterranean, passengers were told in a letter.

Despite any security risks, major airlines including United and Delta have said they will resume flights to Israel. Next week, El Al resumes non-stop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tel Aviv twice a week. The Israeli airline continues to offer five flights a week from Miami International Airport.

Norwegian in its statement said the cruise company remains committed to taking its guests to “some of the most sought-out destinations around the world.” But sometimes, itineraries need to be modified to “accommodate certain circumstances.”

Other reasons for the cruise changes

But security in the Middle East isn’t the only reason for the changes.

The Norwegian Star canceled because of a “full ship charter.” That means a private organization offered to rent out the whole ship for an entire trip.

The Norwegian Spirit underwent a planned renovation in less time than anticipated, and so now wants to use that time for a longer trip. “As the renovation period will be complete prior to schedule, we now have the opportunity to enhance the originally scheduled January 21, 2025 itinerary, and offer a longer and more immersive experience,” it told guests in a letter.

Meanwhile the canceled sailings on the Norwegian Jade from Feb. 20 through March 25 is “part of a fleet redeployment to accommodate strong demand for cruises through the Panama Canal and to the Bahamas,” the company wrote in a letter to passengers.

Cruise cancellations list

Here is a full list of cruises canceled by Norwegian is listed here, provided by the company:

• Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 21, 2025
• Norwegian Jade: Feb. 20 through March 24, 2025
• Norwegian Sky: April 19 through June 5, 2025
• Norwegian Star: May 17 through June 9, 2025
• Norwegian Viva: May 18 and 27, and Sept. 20 and 29, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl: Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Epic: Nov. 1 and Nov. 11, 2025

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Subscriber only, travel | regent seven seas grandeur builds on luxury of 2 sister cruise ships.

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur is the third of three sister ships for the luxury cruise line. It debuted in late 2023 with several sailing dates in the Caribbean out of PortMiami, seen here during a cruise from Jan. 24-26, 2024. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

A Fabergé egg titled "Journey in Jewels" sits in the atrium on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

This bronze-and-glass bonsai cherry blossom tree sculpture welcomes diners into the Pacific Rim restaurant on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur, the third of three sister ships for the luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises that debuted in late 2023. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The Compass Rose restaurant on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur was designed by Miami-based Studio DADO. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

Chef John Stephano leads a class in the Culinary Arts Kitchen on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur on Jan. 25, 2024. The ship is the third of three sister ships for the luxury cruise line that debuted in late 2023. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The luxury pedigree that Regent Seven Seas welcomed with Seven Seas Explorer in 2016 continued with sister ship Seven Seas Splendor in 2020, but the third and final sister Seven Seas Grandeur offers up the best of class.

The ship’s features include the first Fabergé egg with a permanent home at sea. The blue-pearl-and-diamond sculpture titled “Journey in Jewels” is a small but commanding centerpiece rotating within its display case in the atrium for travelers to enjoy as soon as they step on board.

The egg is revealed as seven branches break away like waves that represent the Seven Seas. The ship’s godmother is Sarah Fabergé, the great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé.

It’s part of a 1,600-piece art collection that includes classic black-and-white photos from global destinations adorning the hallways between cabins to the steakhouse’s original Picassos. Travelers could spend a good afternoon wandering hallways and public spaces, akin to visiting a museum. A new app for the line also offers a digital art tour, like a personal guide.

“With each new ship, our team works tirelessly to identify and source the most impressive array of art pieces, building a collection that would be enviable by most modern-day museums, to ensure our guests’ time onboard is as enriching and thought-provoking as their time on land,” said Regent Seven Seas Cruises President Andrea DeMarco.

All three ships in the Explorer class are about 55,500 gross tons, with Grandeur sporting a 744-guest capacity among its all-suite offerings. The line has three older ships and just had two larger vessels ordered by parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, but they are not due until 2026 and 2029.

Until then, the three sister ships continue the line’s most refined take on their global, all-inclusive itineraries, with both Splendor and Grandeur set to return to Miami for the 2024-25 winter Caribbean season.

The line has given all three Explorer-class ships a succession of superlative monikers. Seven Seas Grandeur was dubbed with “A Heritage of Perfection,” following Seven Seas Explorer’s “the most luxurious cruise ship ever” and Seven Seas Splendor’s “the ship that perfects luxury.”

With 548 crew, Grandeur boasts a 1:1.36 crew-to-passenger ratio similar to its two sisters, so needs among travelers are attended to promptly.

The ship’s interior spaces are crafted by Miami-based Studio DADO, which has put its mark on sister lines Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

That includes new takes on main dining venue Compass Rose, which DADO founding partner Yohandel Ruiz called “a feast for the eyes.”

It’s filled with fantastical tree-like arches right out of Alice in Wonderland with a cascading waterfall sculpture. At night, thousands of individually placed crystal-faceted leaves encrusted on pillars and branches illuminate the space.

The ship has five signature restaurants on board, including steakhouse Prime 7, Italian option Sette Mari at La Veranda, French offering Chartreuse and the latest version of Asian restaurant Pacific Rim, this time bringing a delicate bronze-and-glass bonsai cherry blossom tree sculpture as the centerpiece at the entrance. It’s a welcome and fitting addition to the dragon and prayer wheel sculptures on its two sister ships.

The ship has 15 suite categories, all with their own balconies. The pinnacle of sailing options is the 4,443-square-foot Regent Suite at $11,000 a night. It features a $200,000 Hästens Vividus custom handmade mattress, an in-suite spa retreat with a personal sauna and steam room and 270-degree views from the ship’s bow from a 1,292-square-foot wraparound veranda. Those passengers get their own butler and personal car and driver in every port.

Some seven-night Miami-based sailings go for as low as $3,700 per person based on double occupancy.

For everyone on board is the spa with an infinity pool that looks out over the stern, fitness center, jogging track, casino, several lounges, card room, library and main pool. Top-deck fun includes pickleball, shuffleboard, mini golf and ping-pong.

A big draw to Regent is the mostly inclusive offerings, including free and unlimited shore excursions, round-trip flights, unlimited internet, prepaid gratuities, ground transfers and other amenities.

One of the best offerings on board, though, isn’t free. Back again is the Culinary Arts Kitchen, a staple borrowed from sister line Oceania Cruises, but a massively popular offering that lets 18 students create memorable dishes under the guidance of a chef team.

During a preview cruise for media in January out of PortMiami, the class was led by the amiable Chef John Stephano talking students through a pair of sample dishes – pasta al limone, which is lemon pasta, and French crêpes with an allspice berry ice cream, offered during what are normally two-hour-long classes twice per day on sailings.

“I promise you’re going to make delicious and delightful food,” he said but joked that “anybody that struggles with their culinary skills today, we’ll be sending you down to the galley to help us out.”

Stephano deftly demonstrates and drops bits of history and detail during the demonstration with students gathered around, who then go one of the 18 individual stations equipped with induction cooktops, stainless steel sinks and a collection of tools, tongs, pots and pans, while he and assistant chefs make the rounds to ensure everyone is figuring out the steps.

The course options vary per cruise pulling from nearly 50 curated thematic class titles such as “1493: The Foodies’ New World,” “Familia Cubana” and “Flip-Flop Floribbean.” Classes are an extra $89, which is about the only extra-cost feature on a Regent sailing. They are often themed to the location where the ships sail.

The culinary team also has a hand in creating some of the unique excursions, which then pair up with some of the classes.

Grandeur just finished out its first run about the Caribbean during mostly sold-out itineraries from PortMiami and is now amid a set of Mediterranean voyages for summer 2024. It will then make its way to New York for fall color itineraries of Canada and New England in September and October and then return to Miami to begin the winter Caribbean sailing season into 2025.

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Norwegian cancels more than a dozen cruises on 7 ships in 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line canceled more than a dozen cruises on seven ships.

The sailings were scheduled to take place in 2025. The changes “are a result of varied events including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas,” according to a spokesperson for the line.

The following itineraries were canceled:

• Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 21, 2025
• Norwegian Jade: Feb. 20 through and including March 24, 2025
• Norwegian Sky: April 19 through and including June 5, 2025
• Norwegian Star: May 17 through and including June 9, 2025
• Norwegian Viva: May 18 and 27, and Sep. 20 and 29, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl: Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Epic: Nov. 1 and 11, 2025

“We are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “While we try to maintain original itineraries as much as possible, at times modifications are made to optimize the itinerary, enhance the guest experience or accommodate certain circumstances.”

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

Guests whose cruises were impacted were given full refunds of their fare and a 10% discount in the form of a future cruise credit. The credit can be used on any of Norwegian’s published itineraries through Dec. 31, 2025.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].