Norwegian Cruise Ship Delayed by Full Day Due to Technical Issues
Guests aboard Norwegian Jade will experience a longer cruise than planned due to a technical issue with the ship’s engines. This problem has reduced the ship’s propulsion, causing it to return to Port Canaveral a full day later than scheduled.
The new disembarkation date is Sunday, July 21, instead of Saturday, July 20, which also affects the subsequent voyage.
Guests have received notifications about the change along with details on onward travel arrangements.
“Unfortunately, due to a technical issue, which has impacted the speed of our beautiful ship but will not impact your safety or that of our crew, we are unable to make the speed needed to get to Port Canaveral on time for disembarkation,” read a letter sent to the guests’ cabins.
“Consequently, we will not be arriving into Port Canaveral, Florida, on July 20, 2024, as scheduled. Norwegian Jade’s arrival into Port Canaveral is now anticipated for Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 6:00 a.m.”
This 24-hour delay means guests with onward travel plans will need to make significant adjustments. Norwegian Cruise Line has opened phone lines and internet access aboard Norwegian Jade to facilitate these changes.
The reservations team is adjusting transfers and flights for those who booked through Norwegian Cruise Line. Some guests may not be able to return home until Monday, July 22. For these guests, a complimentary 1-night hotel stay will be provided.
Those who booked their own flight arrangements will need to contact their airlines and possibly their travel insurance for reimbursement. Norwegian Cruise Line is offering a reimbursement of up to $300 (USD) per person for change or cancellation fees not covered by travel insurance.
Additionally, all guests onboard are being offered a 10% discount as a future cruise credit to acknowledge the inconvenience caused by the delay. This credit will be available from August 7, 2024, and must be used by December 31, 2025.
What About the Next Cruise?
The delay of the 93,558-gross-ton, Jewel-class Norwegian Jade will also impact the next scheduled sailing. Guests on the next cruise will receive a prorated refund and assistance with adjusting travel plans if booked through Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Guests on this cruise will receive a prorated refund based on the reduced sailing length for the original voyage fare paid, prepaid service charges, Free at Sea package fees, and port taxes,” a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson confirmed in a statement. “We are adjusting travel arrangements for guests who purchased their air or pre-cruise hotel stay through us, as needed, to accommodate the new embarkation date of July 21, 2024.”
However, there is no mention of assistance for securing hotel reservations for the night of Saturday, July 20, when guests had expected to embark on their cruise.
The specific nature of the “technical issue” affecting Norwegian Jade has not been disclosed, although the cruise line has indicated that repairs are necessary.
“The ship is scheduled for maintenance prior to its departure from Port Canaveral, Fla. on July 21, 2024, to mitigate any further impacts to the guest experience,” the statement read.
Norwegian Jade is concluding a 7-night Caribbean cruise that included stops at Great Stirrup Cay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. The next cruise, initially scheduled to depart on Saturday, July 20, was an Eastern Caribbean itinerary with visits to the Dominican Republic, Tortola, San Juan, and Great Stirrup Cay.
There is no confirmation yet on whether the next cruise’s itinerary will need adjustments. The next voyage includes two days at sea, which might allow the ship enough time to make repairs and maintain its planned stops, assuming the issues can be resolved.
Norwegian Jade can accommodate 2,402 guests at double occupancy or up to 3,590 travelers when fully booked. The ship also has approximately 1,000 international crew members dedicated to ensuring a fun cruise experience, despite any technical difficulties.
