Norwegian Cruise Line is making big changes as it bets on more. In October, the cruise line introduced its new brand positioning, "More," as it replaced its “Free At Sea” cruise package with an upgraded “More At Sea,” package. The cruise line introduced More at Sea as part of an effort to give passengers more premium inclusions and value in their cruise vacations.
Norwegian’s strategic vision also includes helping passengers experience more at sea through more onboard activities offering more to see, do, and enjoy.
When the cruise line’s newest Prima Plus Class ships Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna set sail in April 2025 and 2026, respectively, passengers will enjoy new attractions like the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, plus new gaming experiences and upgraded activities in revamped venues.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line shares recipe for a Thanksgiving specialty
Now, it appears the cruise line’s focus on delivering more is extending to offering more cruise options in the Caribbean and Mexico too. After deploying bigger ships to sail Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral and New Orleans for the 2024-2025 winter season, the cruise line is making big changes to its cruise itineraries for fall/winter 2025-2026 to offer more sailings in the Caribbean and Mexico too.
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Norwegian cancels exotic cruises to make way for more Caribbean itineraries
While more Caribbean itineraries may be good news for some cruisers, it’s disappointing for thousands of passengers who were booked on certain exotic cruises in South America, Antarctica, Africa and the Indian Ocean in 2025 and 2026.
As part of a redeployment plan, Norwegian canceled more than 50 cruises for 2025 and 2026 to make way for new itineraries in the Caribbean and Mexico. The impacted ships include Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Jade. The cruise line is providing passengers booked on the canceled sailings with a full refund of their paid fare and a 10% future cruise credit.
Related: Norwegian, Princess Cruises offering new Caribbean getaways
Instead of spending a winter season sailing in South America and Antarctica from Nov. 20, 2025 to April 14, 2026, Norwegian Star is being redeployed to the Bahamas and Southern Caribbean. The ship will also offer transatlantic crossings to and from Europe. Its new homeport has not yet been announced.
Rather than sailing to exotic ports in Africa and around the Indian Ocean from Nov. 2, 2025 to April 12, 2026, Norwegian Dawn will spend its winter season sailing a range of Western Caribbean cruises. Like Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn will also offer transatlantic crossings to and from Europe. Its new homeport has not yet been announced.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line is leveling up its onboard activities
Caribbean cruises from popular Florida ports are impacted too
As Norwegian adds new Caribbean itineraries, the cruise line is also shuffling its ships that were already scheduled to sail winter seasons in the Caribbean from Tampa, Miami, and Panama City, Panama.
In disappointing news for passengers sailing from Tampa, Norwegian Jewel is moving to Miami to sail cruises to the Bahamas, the Southern Caribbean, and Panama Canal from Nov. 23, 2025, to April 16, 2026.
Norwegian Jewel was the only Norwegian ship scheduled to sail winter cruises from Tampa for the 2025-2026 winter season and the cruise line has not yet announced whether another ship will replace it. Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Sky are scheduled to sail from Tampa during the 2026-2027 winter season, so there's a good chance that the redeployed Norwegian Dawn's new winter homeport will be Tampa beginning in late 2025.
As Norwegian Jewel moves to Miami, the cruise line is also redeploying one of its ships from Miami, Norwegian Jade, to the West Coast. Rather than sailing Panama Canal and Caribbean itineraries from Miami and Panama City from Oct. 18, 2025, to Feb. 16, 2026, Norwegian Jade will offer Mexican Riviera and West Coast cruises from San Diego.
New itineraries for the redeployed ships will open for booking on Nov. 29, 2024.
In addition to the redeployed ships, new ships Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna are set to join the Caribbean fleet in 2025 and 2026. Beginning April 26, 2025, Norwegian Aqua will sail seven-day Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Fla. On April 4, 2026, Norwegian Luna will kick off its inaugural Caribbean season from Miami.
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