Celebrity Equinox forced to remain in Lisbon due to port strike

Guests aboard Celebrity Equinox received a significant itinerary update after Celebrity Cruises confirmed that a port strike in Lisbon, Portugal will prevent the ship from departing as scheduled. 

The 15-night transatlantic voyage, which begins on November 21, 2025, will now include a full night in Lisbon because of the strike. Additionally, Celebrity Equinox will not dock on Tenerife in the Canary Islands as planned.

According to the email sent to passengers, the disruption stems from labor action outside the cruise line’s control.

In an email, Celebrity Cruises stated, “A confirmed strike in Lisbon, Portugal — something outside of our control — is affecting our scheduled departure.”

The port strike in Lisbon effectively shuts down key harbor services, such as pilotage and docking assistance. This makes it impossible for Celebrity Equinox to safely leave the port as planned.

To adapt to the developing situation while keeping the experience smooth for guests, Celebrity made what it described as “thoughtful adjustments” to the itinerary.

Celebrity Equinox will spend an extra night in Lisbon 

Under the revised plan, Celebrity Equinox will stay docked in Lisbon on both November 21 and 22 before departing at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 23. 

Celebrity encouraged guests to take advantage of the unexpected extra day in one of Europe’s most vibrant destinations. Lisbon’s cruise port is located in the heart of the city, allowing guests to easily explore with their additional time. 

The email highlighted iconic experiences such as touring the fairytale palaces of Sintra, tasting Portugal’s famous pastéis de nata, and spending evenings in Bairro Alto, which is Lisbon’s energetic dining and nightlife district.

“While there, visiting Sintra is a must… At night, this magical city transforms into the center of nightlife,” says the email. 

Tenerife visit is cancelled for Celebrity Equinox

Because Celebrity Equinox will be unable to leave Lisbon until early on November 23, the scheduled visit to Santa Cruz de Tenerife has been canceled and replaced with a sea day.

The email from Celebrity explains, “Sunday, 23 November: Instead of our visit to Tenerife, Canary Islands, we’ll enjoy a relaxing day at sea.”

Despite the shift, the cruise line says the experience will remain exceptional: “While these changes adjust our course, the heart of your journey remains the same — unforgettable experiences, seamless service, and enriching destinations.”

Guests with pre-paid shore excursions in Tenerife will automatically receive refunds. Refunds will be issued to the passengers’ cards on file within 14 business days. 

To help guests take advantage of the added time in Portugal, Celebrity’s Shore Excursions team is adding new Lisbon offerings, which will be available through the Celebrity Cruises app, My Celebrity Cruises, or the desk onboard.

Revised itinerary won’t impact Celebrity Equinox’s arrival in Buenos Aires

Before the change, Celebrity Equinox was scheduled to depart Lisbon on November 21, 2025 and sail directly to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The ship was meant to visit on November 23, 2025 before continuing across the Atlantic. 

Celebrity Equinox’s original transatlantic itinerary included calls in Tenerife (Canary Islands), Salvador de Bahia (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and Montevideo (Uruguay) before finishing in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on December 6, 2025.

With the confirmed port strike now impacting operations, the sailing has been restructured to include one full night in Lisbon on November 21, 2025. The ship will remain docked throughout the evening on November 22 before departing at 1am on November 23. 

The remainder of the voyage remains unchanged. Celebrity Equinox will have a stretch of six sea days leading into port calls in Salvador de Bahia on November 30, 2025 and Rio de Janeiro on December 2, 2025.

The Solstice-class vessel will visit Montevideo, Uruguay on December 5, 2025 as scheduled. The cruise will still conclude in Buenos Aires on December 6, 2025 as originally planned.

Celebrity Equinox will spend the winter in South America

Following her arrival in Argentina, Celebrity Equinox will spend the winter season sailing throughout South America. 

The ship is scheduled to operate Patagonia itineraries and Antarctica sailings from Buenos Aires, offering guests dramatic scenic cruising days near the Antarctic Peninsula. 

These specialty itineraries mark one of Celebrity’s most adventurous seasonal deployments.

(PS: Candid Cruise and Travel will be onboard Celebrity Equinox in February 2026! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to follow our epic journey!)

More port strikes in Lisbon are planned in the coming weeks

According to Woodland Group, the port strikes will continue to cause disruption across all major Portuguese ports over the coming weeks. The strikes will be taking place during the following dates:

The strikes are set to impact essential port functions, including pilot boats, tug services, bridge operations, mooring, and waste removal. Lisbon and Setúbal have already reported disruption to pilot boat services, a critical component required for ships to safely arrive and depart.

Several cruise ships are already scheduled to call during those strike windows, which could likely be impacted due to limited port services from the disruption. These include: