Norwegian Cruise Line has rolled out another wave of itinerary adjustments across multiple ships and regions, impacting sailings scheduled throughout 2026. The changes impact cruises in Alaska, Hawaii and the South Pacific, the British Isles, transatlantic crossings, and parts of Europe, with many of the revisions applying to voyages that guests have already booked.
Itinerary adjustments are not unusual in the cruise industry, but they seem to be more common for Norwegian Cruise Line.
The extent and timing of the changes, especially on longer, port-intensive sailings, have drawn pushback from passengers who feel the revised itineraries differ significantly from what they originally booked.
These latest itinerary adjustments come after Norwegian Cruise Line faced criticism in October 2025 for sweeping itinerary changes. At the time, the cruise line said it was “strengthening partnerships” as several Caribbean sailings were reworked to replace multiple Bahamas ports with a single stop in Puerto Plata.
Why NCL said the itinerary changes were necessary
In emails sent to guests across multiple affected sailings, Norwegian Cruise Line consistently cited updated port availability, operational logistics, and itinerary flow as the reasons behind the adjustments.
For example, in a notice sent to guests booked on Norwegian Escape’s September 5, 2026 sailing, the cruise line said it had made an itinerary adjustment “due to newly updated port availability”.
The email framed the change as part of its commitment to delivering a “seamless and enriching” experience to guests. Norwegian also acknowledged that even well-planned itineraries can shift, telling guests:
“While even the most carefully planned itineraries may require occasional updates, these moments also offer an opportunity to reimagine your journey in exciting and meaningful ways.”
The company added that it works closely with port authorities to finalize details well in advance, but noted that “circumstances can still shift, and sometimes we’re informed that space is no longer available.”
Norwegian described many of the changes as “often beyond our control,” while stating it understands “how disappointing they can be.”
On other sailings, particularly in Hawaii, Norwegian cited refueling requirements and operational needs as justification for revised port sequences and overnight stays.
Maui removed and Honolulu extended in Hawaii (Norwegian Spirit)
Several sailings aboard Norwegian Spirit, including November 2026 Hawaii-to-French Polynesia itineraries, were revised to remove Kahului (Maui) and replace it with an extended or overnight stay in Honolulu.
In guest communications, Norwegian said the change was necessary to support refueling operations and improve the overall flow of the voyage. However, Maui was a highlight stop and a primary reason for booking for many passengers.
Some said the change significantly disrupted excursion planning, while others questioned whether the revised itinerary still justified the cruise’s price.
Alaska itinerary changes impact 2026 sailings (Norwegian Joy)
Multiple Alaska sailings in 2026 have also been revised for Norwegian Cruise Line. Passengers report that Skagway was removed from some sailings, while Sitka and Glacier Bay scenic cruising were added or emphasized. In other cases, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier were replaced or re-sequenced.
Norwegian has not framed these changes as downgrades, as Glacier Bay remains one of the most sought-after scenic cruising permits in Alaska. However, guests who booked specifically for Skagway, particularly for the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, expressed disappointment.
Comments across social media show mixed reactions. Some acknowledged that Glacier Bay is a major upgrade to their itinerary while others say scenic cruising does not replace the value of a full port day ashore.
British Isles and Ireland itineraries have major overhaul (Norwegian Sky)
The most extensive itinerary overhaul affects Norwegian Sky’s British Isles and Ireland sailings scheduled between late May and early June 2026.
Several ports were removed, including Newhaven (Edinburgh), Invergordon, Portree (Isle of Skye), Liverpool, and Portland, England. These were replaced with ports such as Belfast, Cork (Cobh), Dublin (Dún Laoghaire), Greenock, Stornoway, Aberdeen, and South Queensferry, along with the addition of an extra sea day.
Norwegian described the changes as necessary to better align port logistics and ensure smoother routing. However, passenger reaction has been notably negative.
Multiple guests said they would not have booked the sailing had the revised itinerary been offered initially. Others expressed frustration that sailings immediately before or after theirs appeared unchanged, leading to confusion among those affected.
Canada/New England changes (NCL Escape)
Canada and New England itineraries were also adjusted, including a sailing aboard Norwegian Escape departing September 5, 2026.
On that sailing, Norwegian Cruise Line informed guests it would no longer visit Saint John, Bay of Fundy, replacing it with Sydney, Nova Scotia. In the same notice, the cruise line highlighted Sydney’s “maritime charm, rich history, and welcoming coastal scenery,” positioning it as part of a “classic East Coast experience.”
Norwegian also adjusted visit dates and times in Boston, Portland, and Halifax, saying the changes were made “to ensure a more seamless journey.” A previously scheduled sea day was replaced with a call to Newport, Rhode Island, which Norwegian described as offering “Gilded Age elegance” and a vibrant waterfront.
Shore excursions tied to removed ports were automatically canceled and refunded, though some guests reported delays in seeing updated itineraries reflected in the NCL app.
European sailings adjusted in spring 2026 (NCL Dawn and NCL Gem)
European itineraries aboard Norwegian Dawn in April 2026 were also revised. The changes impact the ship’s transatlantic crossing and the immediately following European sailing.
Norwegian Dawn’s April 5, 2026 transatlantic sailing was shortened by one day, with Madeira removed and replaced with a visit to Porto (Oporto). Port times in the Azores, including Ponta Delgada and Horta, were also adjusted, with some stays shortened.
As a result of the compressed transatlantic schedule, the next sailing on Norwegian Dawn was extended by an additional day. Originally, Norwegian Dawn was scheduled to depart on April 19, 2026 from Lisbon, Portugal, but will now depart on April 18, 2026.
On that European itinerary, Gibraltar was removed and replaced with Valencia, altering both the port lineup and the pacing of the cruise through Spain and the western Mediterranean.
Passenger responses were mixed. While some welcomed Porto as a new destination, others were disappointed to lose Madeira, a port many consider a highlight of Atlantic crossings.
Transatlantic crossing with multiple port swaps (Norwegian Gem)
Passengers booked on Norwegian Gem’s transatlantic sailing from New York on April 9, 2026, also reported notable changes to their voyage.
On the revised itinerary, a planned port call in Halifax, Nova Scotia was removed and replaced with an additional day at sea early in the sailing.
Further into the crossing, the port sequence was reshuffled, with Funchal (Madeira) added and several Mediterranean calls adjusted before the cruise ultimately concluded in Barcelona. Ports shown on the revised itinerary include Gibraltar, Cádiz (Seville), Motril, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, and Provence (Marseille).
On a Cruise Critic thread about Norwegian Cruise Line itinerary changes after final payment, one impacted passenger noted that the updated itinerary was shared 119 days before sailing. With final payment typically due around 120 days prior to departure, many passengers would have had little time, if any, to reconsider their booking before being fully committed.
Norwegian Cruise Line is infamous for itinerary changes
For experienced cruisers, this latest round of changes feels frustratingly familiar. Norwegian Cruise Line has long been known for pre-cruise itinerary revisions, especially on longer or more complex itineraries.
While all cruise contracts allow for changes, Norwegian’s adjustments seem to happen more frequently with impactful changes when comparing NCL to rivals.
Many guests can acknowledge that port availability and logistics can evolve, leading to necessary itinerary changes. However, frustration tends to grow for NCL cruisers when changes occur after final payments or travel arrangements are made. This leaves cruisers feeling locked into a cruise that no longer matches what was originally advertised.
The timing is close to final payment for NCL’s itinerary changes
A major reason that NCL’s itinerary changes spark such strong reactions is when they’re happening in the booking lifecycle.
Norwegian’s latest round of itinerary changes appears to be more proactive than in previous instances. In contrast, I previously booked a 12-night sailing from Mauritius to Cape Town aboard Norwegian Dawn in 2024. My itinerary was significantly revised just days after final payment, a timing that left little room for adjustment.
In multiple comment threads, passengers explicitly noted they were relieved changes arrived before the final payment date, while others implied they were close enough to final payment to be stressful.
One commenter pointed out they “would not have been happy” if Norwegian waited until the following week, suggesting the updated itinerary was announced right before their final payment was due. Another said they were glad they hadn’t made final payment yet.
