Norwegian Cruise Cancellations: What Happens and Do Passengers Get Full Refunds?

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the cancellation of nearly 40 sailings aboard three of its ships, leaving passengers scrambling for answers and alternatives. Affected ships include Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn, with voyages scheduled between November 2025 and April 2026 now removed from the itinerary.

The cruise line has attributed the cancellations to fleet redeployment, but has yet to reveal the new plans for the affected vessels. According to Cruise industry newsNorwegian has promised a full refund and additional compensation for inconvenienced travelers.

Affected cruises and their itineraries

The cancellations span a number of highly anticipated travel plans:

1. Norwegian jewel: All cruises departing between 23 November 2025 and 5 April 2026 have been cancelled. The ship was scheduled to sail five- to 14-night Caribbean and Bahamas cruises departing from Tampa.

2. Norwegian Star: The ship’s entire season in South America and Antarctica, scheduled between 20 November 2025 and 14 April 2026, has been cancelled. This included several cruises that showcased Antarctica’s stunning natural beauty and vibrant South American ports.

3. Norwegian Dawn: Travel between 2 November 2025 and 12 April 2026 has been cancelled. The ship was set to sail 12- to 21-day cruises to visit Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, offering a wide range of cultural and scenic experiences.

Compensation for affected passengers

Passengers affected by these cancellations will receive a full refund for the original form of payment, according to Travel weekly. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a 10% discount in the form of a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), which can be applied to bookings on future voyages.

The cruise line has assured travel advisors that commissions will be protected for bookings that have already been paid in full.

Other cancellations in 2025 and 2026

In addition to the nearly 40 canceled cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line has made adjustments to other itineraries. The company canceled one 14-night South Pacific cruise aboard Norwegian Sun scheduled for August 7, 2025 due to relocation.

Two short cruises aboard Norwegian Getaway, originally scheduled for August 17 and 21, 2026, have also been canceled due to a full ship charter.

Although Norwegian Cruise Line has not disclosed specific details about the repositioning of the affected ships, it is expected that revised itineraries will be announced in the coming months. The company has started notifying passengers of the cancellations through detailed dispatch change letters.

How passengers can move on

For passengers affected by these cancellations, the first step is to contact Norwegian Cruise Line directly or through their travel advisors to confirm refunds and receive Future Cruise Credits. Travelers should review their options to rebook on alternative itineraries or secure new itineraries.

As Norwegian Cruise Line works to reposition its fleet, customers are advised to monitor replacement sailing announcements and updates regarding the affected ships. While the cancellations have disrupted travel plans, Norwegian’s compensation packages offer some comfort to inconvenienced passengers.