Passengers sailing aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun are reporting that the ship experienced propulsion-related issues during its current Baltic cruise, resulting in the cancellation of a scheduled port call in Sweden.
According to a post shared in a Norwegian Cruise Line Facebook group, passengers were informed that the ship would be unable to dock in Stockholm due to “mechanical issues.” The guest wrote that the planned stop had been replaced with a day at sea.
Additional reports surfaced on Reddit, where one passenger claiming to be onboard Norwegian Sun said the ship was experiencing a “loss of propulsion” and appeared to be moving at a reduced speed while continuing its voyage through the Baltic Sea.
The Reddit post states:
“Currently on NCL Sun and will be missing our port call in Sweden today due to lack of propulsion. Trip had been going great until now. Weather is gorgeous here too which adds to the sting. Is it just me or is ‘loss of propulsion’ becoming a more common issue? Or is this just something to be expected on older ships? Looking out the window now and it seems we are dead in the water as we make our way to Estonia.”
Other commenters in the discussion suggested the vessel remained operational but was traveling more slowly than originally planned.
Although passengers reported a loss of propulsion on social media, publicly available AIS tracking data showed Norwegian Sun still underway on June 22. At the time of publication, the ship was sailing in the Baltic Sea en route to Tallinn, Estonia, at a reported speed of 12.2 knots (approximately 14 mph or 23 km/h).
The vessel’s last reported position placed it in the Gulf of Finland east of Sweden and west of Estonia, suggesting the ship remained operational despite the reported mechanical issue.
Norwegian Cruise Line has not publicly confirmed any mechanical or propulsion problems aboard the vessel. The reports are based solely on passenger accounts shared online.
Norwegian Sun Itinerary
Norwegian Sun is currently sailing a 9-night Baltic itinerary that departed Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 15, 2026, and is scheduled to arrive in Helsinki, Finland, on June 24, 2026.
The itinerary includes the following ports of call:
| Date | Port |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | Copenhagen, Denmark (Embarkation) |
| June 16, 2026 | Oslo, Norway |
| June 17, 2026 | At Sea |
| June 18, 2026 | Warnemünde (Rostock), Germany |
| June 19, 2026 | Gdynia-Gdańsk, Poland |
| June 20, 2026 | Klaipėda, Lithuania |
| June 21, 2026 | Riga, Latvia |
| June 22, 2026 | Nynäshamn (Stockholm), Sweden |
| June 23, 2026 | Tallinn, Estonia |
| June 24, 2026 | Helsinki, Finland (Disembarkation) |
Based on passenger reports, the June 22 call to Nynäshamn, the port commonly used for visits to Stockholm, was canceled and replaced with a sea day. At this time, further changes have not been made to Norwegian Sun’s current sailing and future adjustments haven’t been announced.
Propulsion issues are not uncommon in cruising
Propulsion-related problems occasionally occur across the industry and can result in reduced speeds, itinerary modifications, shortened port calls, or canceled sailings while repairs are completed.
In 2025, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond operated under speed restrictions for several months following a propulsion issue that forced the cancellation of a scheduled sailing for emergency repairs. After returning to service, the Edge-class ship continued sailing at reduced speeds, prompting the cruise line to modify dozens of itineraries through at least mid-2026.
The changes included shortened port calls, adjusted arrival and departure times, and, in some cases, the replacement of scheduled destinations. Celebrity informed guests that the modifications were necessary because the ship could not consistently operate at its normal cruising speed until more extensive repairs could be completed during a future dry dock.
Despite the restrictions, the vessel remained in service while the cruise line adjusted itineraries to accommodate its reduced operating capabilities.
Similar concerns have surfaced aboard other Norwegian Cruise Line ships in recent years. In late 2025, passengers aboard Norwegian Escape reported repeated late arrivals, shortened port calls, and the cancellation of Costa Maya during several Caribbean sailings.
Norwegian Cruise Line attributed some itinerary changes to a “required adjustment” that reduced the ship’s sailing speed, prompting speculation among passengers about potential propulsion or engine issues. While the cruise line maintained that operations remained safe and did not confirm any ongoing mechanical problems, the situation led to multiple itinerary modifications.
About Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Sun entered service in 2001 and measures 78,309 gross tons. The ship can accommodate approximately 1,900 guests and has spent much of its career operating longer itineraries throughout Europe, Alaska, South America, and Asia.
The vessel is also approaching the end of its time with Norwegian Cruise Line. In 2025, the cruise line announced that Norwegian Sun and her sister ship, Norwegian Sky, will be transferred to Cordelia Cruises under a long-term charter arrangement beginning in 2027.
As a result, Norwegian Sun is expected to leave the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet next year after more than 25 years of service.
