Summary (tl;dr)

Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled numerous Norwegian Viva sailings scheduled from San Juan, Puerto Rico, for seven months in 2028 due to port availability issues, reassigning the ship to offer shorter cruises from Miami to The Bahamas.

Essential Background

The Norwegian Viva, the second vessel in Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima Class, commenced its maiden voyage in August 2023 from Trieste, Italy, and was initially slated to homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for its Caribbean seasons starting December 2023. While its inaugural Mediterranean season in 2023 experienced some delays and cancellations due to global supply chain issues, NCL had previously confirmed plans for two of its Prima-class ships, including the Viva, to operate out of San Juan in 2028.

The Full Story

Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced the cancellation of Norwegian Viva's Southern Caribbean sailings that were scheduled to depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico, from January 2, 2028, through July 23, 2028. The cruise line cited "port availability" as the reason for these extensive cancellations, affecting seven months of itineraries. Consequently, the Norwegian Viva will be redeployed to Miami, Florida, to run shorter "getaway" cruises to The Bahamas, including calls to Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay. Passengers impacted by these changes are being offered full refunds to their original payment method and a 10% Future Cruise Credit, valid for any published sailing through December 31, 2028. NCL also advised passengers interested in sailing from San Juan to consider the Norwegian Prima, its sister ship, which will continue to operate similar itineraries from the port.

Why It Matters

The cancellations have created significant disruption for passengers who had booked their cruises well in advance, some up to two years prior. Economically, this decision is expected to have a substantial negative impact on Puerto Rico, as the Norwegian Viva was projected to bring approximately 8,000 cruise passengers weekly, potentially resulting in a loss of around $17 million in travel revenue for the island. In response, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority has indicated it will review port availability factors and existing preferential agreements in San Juan. The redeployment of the Norwegian Viva to Miami for shorter Bahamas itineraries aligns with NCL's broader strategy to focus on brief Caribbean voyages and private destinations.

Geographic Location

• San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States (cancellation of scheduled Southern Caribbean departures)
• Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States (redeployment of Norwegian Viva for shorter Bahamas cruises; official Christening ceremony in November 2023)
• Great Stirrup Cay, The Bahamas (destination for redeployed Miami cruises)