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7 Night Eastern Caribbean - Miami (Mia/Mia)

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered freestyle cruising with a variety of specialty dining restaurants, entertainment and onboard activities, including go-kart racing!

Magnificent days at the beach, tasty fare, and sun-soaked excursions lie awaiting you in the Eastern Caribbean.

In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

• Norwegian Encore - Passenger Capacity: 3,998 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2019 Last Refurbished: N/A

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Norwegian Encore

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Eastern Caribbean

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Miami, Florida , Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic , St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands , Tortola, B.V.I. , Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

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7 Night Eastern Caribbean - Miami (Mia/Mia) sailing on the Norwegian Encore

Departure dates: dec 2024 - mar 2025.

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Cruise Canaveral > Cruise Lines > Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruises from Port Canaveral

Norwegian Cruise Line revolutionized the industry with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising, which gives guests more freedom and flexibility. NCL offers Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida. See the details below.

Freestyle cruising is all about freedom. Freedom from stress and schedules. Create your own vacation. Eat where you want, with whom you want, when you want. Dress the way you want too.

The Norwegian Escape cruise ship features live shows, The Waterfront oceanfront promenade, 14 bars & lounges, Aqua Park, Sports Complex with Ropes Course, Mandara Spa, casino and family-friendly Splash Academy youth programs. Complimentary dining options include the 3 main dining rooms, O'Sheehan's Grill and Garden Cafe. For an additional fee you can eat at Teppanyaki, Bayamo Seafood, Food Republic, Moderno Churrascaria, American Diner, Atrium Cafe, Cagney's Steakhouse, Dolce Gelato, La Cucina Italian and Le Bistro French.

Bahamas Cruises

4-day Bahamas cruises on Norwegian Jade. Round-trip from Port Canaveral/Orlando to Nassau (Bahamas), Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas) and Grand Bahama Island (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: May 24, August 30.

Eastern Caribbean Cruises

7-day Eastern Caribbean cruises on Norwegian Escape. Round-trip from Port Canaveral/Orlando to Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), St Thomas (US Virgin Islands), Tortola (British Virgin Islands) and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: January 6, January 20, February 3, February 17, March 2, March 16, March 30.

7-day Eastern Caribbean cruises on Norwegian Epic. Round-trip from Port Canaveral/Orlando to Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas), San Juan (Puerto Rico), St Thomas (US Virgin Islands) and Amber Cove (Dominican Republic). • 2024 departures: January 14, January 28, February 25, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24.

7-day Eastern Caribbean cruises on Norwegian Epic. Round-trip from Port Canaveral/Orlando to Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), St Thomas (US Virgin Islands), Tortola (British Virgin Islands) and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: January 6, January 20, February 3, February 17, March 2, March 16, March 30, November 30, December 7, December 14, December 28.

7-day Eastern Caribbean cruises on Norwegian Jade. Round-trip from Port Canaveral/Orlando to Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), St Croix (US Virgin Islands), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: June 8, June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3.

9-day Eastern Caribbean cruises on Norwegian Jade. Round-trip from Port Canaveral/Orlando to Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas), St Thomas (US Virgin Islands), St John's (Antigua), Philipsburg (St Maarten), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic). • 2024 departures: May 6, May 15.

Southern Caribbean Cruises

10-day Southern Caribbean cruises on the Norwegian Jade. Round-trip from Port Canaveral to Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Aruba, Curacao and Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic). • 2024 departures: August 10, August 20.

11-day Southern Caribbean cruises on the Norwegian Jade. Round-trip from Port Canaveral to Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Aruba, Curacao, Grenada, Antigua, St Thomas and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: April 9, April 20, May 28.

Western Caribbean Cruises

5-day Western Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Jade. Round-trip from Port Canaveral to Cozumel (Mexico) and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departure: May 1.

7-day Western Caribbean cruises on the Norwegian Escape. Round-trip from Port Canaveral to Cozumel (Mexico), Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), Ocho Rios (Jamaica) and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: January 13, January 27, February 10, February 24, March 9, March 23.

7-day Western Caribbean cruises on the Norwegian Jade. Round-trip from Port Canaveral to Key West (Florida), Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), Ocho Rios (Jamaica) and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27.

7-day Western Caribbean cruises on the Norwegian Epic. Round-trip from Port Canaveral to Cozumel (Mexico), Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), Ocho Rios (Jamaica) and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: March 31, November 23, December 21.

Repositioning Cruises

12-day Transatlantic cruise on the Norwegian Epic. One-way from Port Canaveral/Orlando to Rome (Italy). Visit Gibraltar and Alicante (Spain). • 2024 departure: April 7.

15-day cruise to Iceland on the Norwegian Jade. One-way from Port Canaveral/Orlando to Reykjavik (Iceland). Visit Charleston (South Carolina), New York, Newport (Rhode Island), Boston (Massachusetts), Halifax (Nova Scotia), St John's (Newfoundland), Akureyri (Iceland) and Isafjordur (Iceland). • 2024 departure: August 10.

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Norwegian Cruise Line is returning to Florida starting in October, the company announced today that it will have several ships departing from Port-Miami.

This comes after some back and forth between the governor and the cruise line.

Earlier in May, Norwegian announced it was considering suspending Florida departures, this was due to the governor's ban on businesses requiring proof of vaccination.

Gov. Ron DeSantis responded by saying the cruise line was free to leave and the new rule wouldn't change. The company has decided to stay and announced that it will have ships leaving from Florida.

The Norwegian Joy will be traveling from Miami to the Caribbean beginning Oct. 19.

The Norwegian Encore will depart from Miami to the Caribbean beginning Nov. 14.

The Norwegian Pearl will sail from Miami offering trips to Panama Canal, Bahamas, and other places in the Caribbean beginning Dec. 23.

Before any of these cruises are approved, each voyage must obtain a conditional sailing certificate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and all voyages will operate with fully vaccinated guests and crew members.

A Look at Norwegian’s New Itineraries from Jacksonville

• March 12, 2024

Norwegian Cruise Line is adding a new homeport in Jacksonville. Starting in the 2025-26 winter , the company will sail from the North Florida port for a series of four- to 12-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Cruise Industry News examines some of the highlights of the company’s new seasonal program and its itineraries.

Five-Night Cruise to the Bahamas Ship: Norwegian Gem Date: 12 departures between November 2025 and March 2026 Length: 5 nights Homeport: Jacksonville (United States) Itinerary: Nassau, Freeport and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas)

Offered by the Norwegian Gem several times during the season, this five-night cruise takes guests to three destinations in the Bahamas.

Along with a visit to Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay, the itinerary also includes stops in Freeport and Nassau, as well as a full day at sea.

11-Night Cruise to the Caribbean Ship: Norwegian Gem Date: December 1, 2025 and February 17, 2026 Length: 11 nights Homeport: Jacksonville (United States) Itinerary: Great Stirrup Cay and Freeport (Bahamas); Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic); San Juan (Puerto Rico); Tortola (British Virgin Islands); Basseterre (St. Kitts and Nevis); and St. John’s (Antigua)

Norwegian Cruise Line is also offering longer cruises to the Caribbean departing from Jacksonville. This 11-night itinerary sets sail to the Southern Caribbean and includes visits to a total of seven destinations.

The cruise highlights popular ports of call in the region, such as San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. John’s, Antigua. Departure dates are available in December and February.

12-Night Cruise to the Caribbean Ship: Norwegian Gem Date: January 4 and 20, 2026 Length: 12 nights Homeport: Jacksonville (United States) Itinerary: Freeport and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas); Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic); San Juan (Puerto Rico); St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands); Basseterre (St. Kitts); Tortola (British Virgin Islands); and Philipsburg (St. Maarten)

The longer cruise of the season sails for 12 nights and features visits to a total of eight destinations across the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean and the Southern Caribbean.

Departing on two different dates in January, the itinerary starts with stops in Freeport and Great Stirrup Cay. Then, it continues to Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and Tortola. Before returning to Jacksonville, the cruise also offers three full days of cruising in the Caribbean Sea.

Four-Night Cruise to the Bahamas Ship: Norwegian Gem Date: Seven departures between December 2025 and April 2026 Length: 4 nights Homeport: Jacksonville (United States) Itinerary: Freeport and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas)

The Norwegian Gem is also offering four-night cruises to the Bahamas departing from Jacksonville. With several departure dates between December 2025 and April 2026, the itineraries are highlighted by visits to Norwegian’s private island destination Great Stirrup Cay.

In addition to one day at sea, the cruises also feature a stop in Freeport before returning to North Florida.

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Here’s norwegian’s plan for cruises resuming in florida, norwegian escape will sail from port canaveral on nov. 13.

Daniel Dahm , Digital Content Manager

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Norwegian Cruise Line announced additional voyages on Monday, including from Port Canaveral, as part of its plan to resume sailing after an industry-wide shutdown due to COVID-19.

Additional voyages are scheduled to set sail from New York, Los Angeles and Miami.

[TRENDING: Red-headed reptiles roam Fla. | Boy caught in roll-up gate dies | Aiden Fucci’s mom arrested in murder case ]

The Norwegian Escape will sail from Port Canaveral to the Caribbean on Nov. 13.

“With these additional itineraries, we’re providing travelers with more opportunities to set sail from some of their favorite homeports and to some of their preferred destinations,” Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line said.

The cruise line’s deployment plans, expected to begin in the summer of 2021, include:

• Norwegian Gem seven-day itineraries to the Caribbean beginning August 15 and a four-day voyage to the Bahamas in November from Miami
• Additional itineraries on Norwegian Breakaway to Bermuda starting September 26 from New York
• Norwegian Bliss on October 24 to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles
• Norwegian Escape on November 13, 2021 to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral
• Norwegian Encore, the newest ship in the line’s fleet, will make her debut on the West Coast, taking the place of the previously announced Norwegian Bliss for the 2021 summer Alaska cruise season

Voyages are contingent on obtaining a Conditional Sailing Certificate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All initial voyages will operate with fully vaccinated guests and crew in addition to the company’s multi-layered health and safety program, according to a news release.

Earlier last month, Norwegian threatened to keep its ships out of Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning businesses from requiring that customers show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, known as vaccine passports.

The company said the law signed by DeSantis is at odds with guidelines from federal health authorities that would let cruise ships sail in U.S. waters if nearly all passengers and crew members are vaccinated.

DeSantis has sued the CDC over its no sail order but mediation recently failed. DeSantis has said he wants cruise ships to set sail from Florida immediately.

Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Daniel dahm.

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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Travel | 8 new ships coming to Norwegian Cruise Line,…

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Subscriber only, travel | 8 new ships coming to norwegian cruise line, sister brands plus dock at great stirrup cay.

The parent company to Norwegian Cruise Line announced Monday a major order for eight new ships among its three brands as well as the construction of a pier to allow its cruise ships to dock instead of tender to its private Bahamas island for the first time.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it was planning to bring on four new ships for NCL, two new ships for upper premium brand Oceania Cruises and two ships for luxury brand Regent Seven Seas, all to be built at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and debut during a 10-year run from 2026-2036.

The NCL ships would be the largest ever built for the line at around 200,000 gross tons and capacity of about 5,000 guests. They won’t arrive until after the final delivery of its Prima-Plus class ships expected between 2025-2028, the larger sister ships to the Norwegian Prima and Viva that debuted in the last couple of years. The four ships from the unnamed class of vessel would arrive in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036.

The new class for Oceania Cruises, which in 2023 debuted its first new ship in more than a decade — the Oceania Allura — will also be the largest ever built for the line at 86,000 gross tons and a capacity of 1,450 guests. They’re expected in 2027 and 2029.

And the Regent Seven Seas fleet’s new vessels will also be larger coming in at 77,000 gross tons with a capacity of 850 guests. They’re expected in 2026 and 2029. Regent just debuted the third of its Explorer class ships in December 2023.

“This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth,” said NCLH president and CEO Harry Sommer in a press release. “It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale, strengthen our commitment to innovation and enhance our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet.”

No other details about the ships were released. Financing is already in place to fund 80% of the cost for the four ships among the Oceania and Regent orders, but financing for the four NCL ships is not finalized.

The eight ships expects to add 25,000 more to the three cruise lines’ passenger capacity.

In addition, the line is set to construct a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the popular Bahamas private destination visited by all three brands. The move follows the introduction of a dock that can support two Oasis-class vessels at neighboring Perfect Day at Coco Cay for Royal Caribbean while other private Bahamas destinations including Disney’s Castaway Cay and its new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point feature tenderless docks for easy access.

“We are likewise excited with the addition of a new pier at Great Stirrup Cay to support our increased capacity in the Caribbean and multiple ships to call on the island, enhancing our guest experience and bringing seamless and reliable access to our private island year-round,” Sommer said.

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Norwegian Cruise Line cancels more than a dozen upcoming cruises

by: Katlyn Brieskorn

Posted: Apr 11, 2024 / 06:04 AM EDT

Updated: Apr 11, 2024 / 09:48 AM EDT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled more than a dozen 2025 cruises.

A spokesperson from the cruise line told WFLA.com that the cancelations were “a result of varied events including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas.”

The canceled cruises include:

• Norwegian Epic – Feb. 20, 2025, Nov. 1, 2025, Nov. 11, 2025
• Norwegian Jade   – Mar. 4, 2025, Mar. 13, 2025, Mar. 24, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl   – Apr. 19, 2025, May 5, 2025, May 16, 2025, Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Sky   – May 27, 2025, Jun. 5, 2025
• Norwegian Spirit – Jan. 1, 2025, May 17, 2025
• Norwegian Star – May 18, 2025, May 29, 2025, Jun. 9, 2025,
• Norwegian Viva   – May 27, 2025, Sep. 20, 2025, Sep. 29, 2025

According to Cruise Industry News , the canceled cruises were set to visit the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Adriatic Sea, the Middle East, the Red Sea, Asia and Northern Europe.

The February Norwegian Epic sailing was set to depart from Port Canaveral. Norwegian’s website shows a new sailing on the Epic is scheduled for Feb. 15 to Feb. 22, 2025.

“We are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world. While we try to maintain original itineraries as much as possible, at times modifications are made to optimize the itinerary, enhance the guest experience or accommodate certain circumstances,” a spokesperson said.

Norwegian Cruise Line said affected passengers will receive a full refund and a 10 percent discount that can be used on any sailing through Dec. 31, 2025.

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Why a major Miami cruise company has canceled over a dozen international trips for 2025

M iami-based Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled at least 14 cruises on 7 ships in 2025 as a booming industry confronts global conflict and other issues.

The cancellations include trips in May and September on Norwegian Viva, the company’s newest ship, and ones in April through June on Norwegian Sky, which frequently sails from PortMiami.

Norwegian said customers who are affected will get a full refund and a 10% discount on future sailings through Dec. 31, 2025.

In a statement, the company said that the cancellations “are a result of varied events, including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas.”

Suspended trips include the Norwegian Jade from Feb. 20 through March 24, 2025. That ship often departs from Port Canaveral.

Norwegian remains optimistic about cruising. This week, the company ordered eight new ships, its largest ever single purchase, a milestone celebrated at Seatrade Cruise Global, a four-day annual industry conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center. They will be delivered between 2026 and 2036.

Since the terror group Hamas attacked Israel and the Gaza war started in October, cruise companies have been canceling trips to the Middle East.

Next year’s cruise cancellations affect passengers of the Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Viva.

A March 28 letter to passengers said: “We have been monitoring the situation in Israel, and despite our best hopes that it would de-escalate, we have made the decision to alter published itineraries that transit through and around the region.”

For Epic, the decision was made “in order to reroute her and accommodate the early start to her Caribbean cruise season.”

The Sky will be rerouted around Africa and deployed to Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa, a letter to those passengers said.

Viva is being sent to the Mediterranean, passengers were told in a letter.

Despite any security risks, major airlines including United and Delta have said they will resume flights to Israel. Next week, El Al resumes non-stop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tel Aviv twice a week. The Israeli airline continues to offer five flights a week from Miami International Airport.

Norwegian in its statement said the cruise company remains committed to taking its guests to “some of the most sought-out destinations around the world.” But sometimes, itineraries need to be modified to “accommodate certain circumstances.”

Other reasons for the cruise changes

But security in the Middle East isn’t the only reason for the changes.

The Norwegian Star canceled because of a “full ship charter.” That means a private organization offered to rent out the whole ship for an entire trip.

The Norwegian Spirit underwent a planned renovation in less time than anticipated, and so now wants to use that time for a longer trip. “As the renovation period will be complete prior to schedule, we now have the opportunity to enhance the originally scheduled January 21, 2025 itinerary, and offer a longer and more immersive experience,” it told guests in a letter.

Meanwhile the canceled sailings on the Norwegian Jade from Feb. 20 through March 25 is “part of a fleet redeployment to accommodate strong demand for cruises through the Panama Canal and to the Bahamas,” the company wrote in a letter to passengers.

Cruise cancellations list

Here is a full list of cruises canceled by Norwegian is listed here, provided by the company:

• Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 21, 2025
• Norwegian Jade: Feb. 20 through March 24, 2025
• Norwegian Sky: April 19 through June 5, 2025
• Norwegian Star: May 17 through June 9, 2025
• Norwegian Viva: May 18 and 27, and Sept. 20 and 29, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl: Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Epic: Nov. 1 and Nov. 11, 2025

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Norwegian Cruise Line, Western Caribbean from Miami, July 28, 2024

Cruising from: Miami, Florida ;

Departure Date: 28 July, 2024 ;

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line ;

Cruise Ship: Norwegian Breakaway ;

Duration: 7-day cruise ;

Ports of Call: Miami, Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Miami ;

7-day cruise to Miami, Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Miami on board Norwegian Breakaway.

Day 0 miami, florida.

Miami is well known across the globe for its glitz and glamor and its beaches and sunny weather. PortMiami, formally the Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami, is a major seaport located in Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. PortMiami delivers a tropical vacation experience like no other port in the world.

Day 1 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 2 Roatan, Honduras

The beautiful Caribbean island of Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, which are a part of Honduras. Roatan has become an important cruise ship, scuba diving, and eco-tourism destination in Honduras. Roatan offers a variety of white-sand beaches, tropical resorts, and even a world-class designer golf course, The Black Pearl.

Day 3 Harvest Caye, Belize

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, located in southern Belize. The caye features wildlife exhibitions, including a blue morpho butterfly house. Harvest Caye features a lot of activities like relaxing at the swimming pool area, the beach, and the lagoon. Or having fun at a kid's splash pad or the Landshark Bar and Grill.

Day 4 Costa Maya, Mexico

Puerto Costa Maya, located on a peninsula along Mexico's Caribbean coast, is a regular port of call on Western Caribbean itineraries. Costa Maya includes two small villages: Mahahual and Xcalak. From beach breaks, snorkeling, Mayan ruins, exploring nearby beaches, ATV rides on the beach, and reef fishing, Costa Maya has it all.

Day 5 Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel, a Caribbean island paradise, is just off the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Silvery white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and an azure blue ocean draw many tourists to Cozumel, a popular cruise port and holiday destination. The island's clear, warm water, stunning coral reef, and plethora of marine life have earned it a reputation as one of the best places to go snorkeling and scuba diving. San Gervasio, a once-sacred Mayan site deep in the jungle, is worth a visit, and the gastronomy along Rafael Melgar Avenue is a veritable melting pot of Mayan flavors. Your trip to Cozumel will be one to remember forever, with endless things to do both above and below the water.

Day 6 At Sea, At Sea

Day 7 miami, florida.

Sail with Norwegian Cruise Line from Miami to the Western Caribbean . Discover the best of Florida, At Sea, Honduras, Belize, Mexico on this Western Caribbean cruise from Miami on board Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship . Visit amazing Miami, Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Miami. Norwegian Breakaway leaving Miami, Florida for 7 days from July 28, 2024.

View all of the Western Caribbean cruise vacations available in July 2024 , or browse the full collection of cruises departing from Miami Port during July 2024 .

Port order and/or content may vary, please check specific sailing date for details at Norwegian Cruise Line website. Port arrival and departure times are approximate and subject to change without notice. For more information please visit the Norwegian Cruise Line website.

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Norwegian cancels more than a dozen 2025 cruises

TAMPA, Fla. — Norwegian Cruise Line canceled several trips on seven different ships set to take place in 2025.

Here is the list of canceled cruises:

• Norwegian Epic – Feb. 20, 2025, Nov. 1, 2025, Nov. 11, 2025
• Norwegian Jade   – Mar. 4, 2025, Mar. 13, 2025, Mar. 24, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl   – Apr. 19, 2025, May 5, 2025, May 16, 2025, Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Sky   – May 27, 2025, Jun. 5, 2025
• Norwegian Spirit – Jan. 1, 2025, May 17, 2025
• Norwegian Star – May 18, 2025, May 29, 2025, Jun. 9, 2025,
• Norwegian Viva   – May 27, 2025, Sep. 20, 2025, Sep. 29, 2025

A spokesperson for the cruise line said the cancelations were due to a variety of events "including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas." 

These ships visit destinations such as the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Adriatic Sea, the Middle East, the Red Sea, Asia and northern Europe, according to Cruise Industry News . 

The Pearl typically leaves from Miami, the Epic from Port Canaveral and the Jade from Tampa and Miami. 

Guests will receive a full monetary refund for their trip and a 10% discount for a future trip through Dec. 31, 2025, according to the cruise line.

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Eight passengers stranded on African island after Norwegian cruise ship left without them

A dream cruise vacation has turned into a nightmare for eight passengers left stranded on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe after their ship left without them because they were late to return from a private tour.

The tourists — six from the U.S. and two from Australia — were aboard the Norwegian Dawn, a Norwegian cruise line ship , which departed from Cape Town, South Africa, on March 20 for a 21-day voyage up the coast of Africa set to end in Barcelona, Spain, on April 10.

But on Wednesday, the group of eight tourists was late to return to the ship by more than an hour for the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. from a private excursion on the island, which was not organized by the cruise line.

Jay and Jill Campbell of South Carolina were part of the group that was left behind.

They said that their tour’s operator notified the cruise captain that they were going to be late to rejoin the ship and that the local Coast Guard tried to get them on the vessel but that they weren’t allowed to board.

As a result, the couple and the rest of the group have been stranded for days on the island off Nigeria, grappling with language, currency issues and complicated travel to catch up with the ship.

“The lovely people of São Tomé were very gracious, very hospitable. They had reached out as much as they could to help us find hotels,” Jay Campbell said on NBC's "TODAY" show Tuesday morning.

“We were able to get to a tour agency there to arrange flights to the next port of call. ... Very difficult process — you’re dealing with multiple languages, language barriers, you’re dealing with different currencies ... finding someone that even has dollars ... trying to get an agent to understand where we need to get to.

"It’s one of those ‘You can’t get there from here,’" he added.

A Norwegian spokesperson called the incident a “very unfortunate situation” and said, “Guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”

The cruise line said that after the guests failed to return, their passports were delivered to local port agents, in line with protocol. The company said it was working with local authorities to understand “the requirements and visas needed for the guests to reboard the ship at the next available port of call.”

On Monday, the guests had made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia, but the ship was unable to safely dock there because of “adverse weather conditions” and “tidal restrictions,” Norwegian said. The guests were then contacted and provided with information to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday. 

Jill Campbell said they traveled through seven countries in 48 hours to arrive in Senegal on Monday night.

But the couple was reconsidering whether they even wanted to return to the cruise.

"We are considering whether or not we are going to board the ship. It is in dock here in Senegal," she said. "We believe there was a basic duty of care that they had forgotten about, so it does concern us."

"After what we witnessed, we truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship may have followed, they followed those rules too rigidly. I believe that they really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and really the safety and well-being of the customers should be their first priority," she added.

Ultimately, the eight passengers did rejoin the cruise before 8:30 a.m. ET Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal, Norwegian told NBC News in an e-mail Tuesday evening, after this story originally published.

Norwegian said the passengers were responsible for making their own travel arrangements to rejoin the ship.

"Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal," a cruise line spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available."

A silver lining of the catastrophe was that the Campbells were able to connect with another Norwegian Dawn passenger — Julia Lenkoff, 80 — who was also left on the island, but for a medical reason.

Lenkoff was on a different day tour Wednesday. She had "medically disembarked" from the cruise to seek local treatment on that day, Norwegian said.

Norwegian said that its care team tried to call Lenkoff several times and was unable to reach her and that it worked with its port agent in São Tomé and Príncipe for updates on her health.

The Campbells met Lenkoff and were able to put her in contact with her family in California, who flew her home — a move Lenkoff's daughter said "saved her life."

"She's a world traveler. She travels all the time. So this was going to be one of her bucket list trips, because she's been to 120 countries so far, and she wanted to get to 130," her daughter, Lana Lenkoff Geis, said in an interview that aired Tuesday on "TODAY."

Norwegian said Lenkoff was escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, then put in the care of airport staff members to continue her journey back to the U.S., where she has safely returned.

Breaking News Reporter

Norwegian cancels more than a dozen cruises on 7 ships in 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line canceled more than a dozen cruises on seven ships.

The sailings were scheduled to take place in 2025. The changes “are a result of varied events including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas,” according to a spokesperson for the line.

The following itineraries were canceled:

• Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 21, 2025
• Norwegian Jade: Feb. 20 through and including March 24, 2025
• Norwegian Sky: April 19 through and including June 5, 2025
• Norwegian Star: May 17 through and including June 9, 2025
• Norwegian Viva: May 18 and 27, and Sep. 20 and 29, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl: Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Epic: Nov. 1 and 11, 2025

“We are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “While we try to maintain original itineraries as much as possible, at times modifications are made to optimize the itinerary, enhance the guest experience or accommodate certain circumstances.”

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

Guests whose cruises were impacted were given full refunds of their fare and a 10% discount in the form of a future cruise credit. The credit can be used on any of Norwegian’s published itineraries through Dec. 31, 2025.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Travel | Alaska is ready for another record-breaking…

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Travel | first 7 jurors are chosen for trump’s hush money criminal trial; 11 more still needed, travel | alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season.

Alaska is home to more than 30,000 grizzlies, but the state’s cruise industry is experiencing anything but a bear market as momentum of last year’s record-breaking season is expected to continue in 2024.

The most-visited Alaskan port, Juneau set a new mark a year ago with 1.65 million passengers descending on the capital city during cruise season, which generally runs from April to late October. That figure from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce is a Denali-sized jump of 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019.

Coinciding with Alaska’s 65th anniversary of statehood, the upcoming cruise season appears to be just as robust, with 19 cruise lines sending 43 ships to the Last Frontier. Kicking things off for the second straight year is the 4,008-passenger Norwegian Bliss, which docked in rustic Skagway last week. With four mainstream-category ships homeported in either Seattle or Vancouver, Norwegian Cruise Line  has nearly 100 more after that.

Two competing companies have staked out even larger claims in this modern-day, maritime Alaskan gold rush. Holland America Line is sending seven premium-class ships for 141 total cruises. And at the top of the totem pole is Princess Cruises , which is celebrating its 55th year in these waters with seven premium ships sharing 158 departures.

Not counting grand voyages with itineraries so rich they make a visit to Alaska seem more like a pit stop, this cruise season will see more than 800 trips of mostly seven to 10 days starting or ending on this side of the Pacific. Where they’re all going is a destination rich in unparalleled wilderness, wildlife and native culture. In other words, bucket list stuff.

“Alaska is one of those places that draws you in and sets the hook right away,” said Kristi Switzer, destination marketing manager for Travel Juneau. “Visitors come for the otherworldly experience of being in the presence of glaciers and fjords, seeing whales and bears and finding the balance of Alaska Native cultural heritage with the rustic sophistication found in the capital city.”

Although Switzer recommends visits lasting several days instead of several hours, the city’s destination evangelist hopes that a partial day in Juneau and each major Alaskan cruise port will have 1.5 million passengers wanting more.

“This magical corner of the world has so much to offer beyond being a checkmark on people’s bucket lists,” she said.

Alaska is a checkmark for about three-quarters of all passengers headed there, according to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association, and the same can be said for two ships this season.

Starting with a six-day sail out of Vancouver on May 11, the namesake of Celebrity Cruises ’ popular Edge class will make its Alaskan debut with weeklong roundtrips from Seattle through Sept. 13. The 2,918-passenger vessel features a unique “outside-in” architecture that provides more floor-to-ceiling glass on the exterior and expanded outdoor spaces to soak up the Alaskan coastlines.

Edge will be joined by a pair of fleet mates for the season, albeit Summit’s seven-day roundtrips are turnarounds out of Anchorage or Vancouver, and Solstice’s weeklong jaunts are solely based in the British Columbian seaport. Celebrity, a premier-category cruise line has 57 departures to Alaska scheduled this year.

The other new recruit is Silver Nova, the youngest Silversea Cruises  ship in the luxury fleet to ever service Alaska. Capped at 728 guests, Silver Nova was launched last year and has the goods to do justice to a dreamlike place that captures the imagination of wilderness lovers and history buffs.

“Silver Nova is the ideal ship for Alaska cruising,” said company spokesman Brad Ball. “Her innovative design, which incorporates an unprecedented 4,000 square meters of glass, immerses guests into the incredible scenery of Alaska from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn.”

The ship’s reimagined pool deck, which overlooks the water on her starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues — the Dusk Bar and the Marquee — allows unique openness to view spectacular Alaskan glaciers and wildlife. Those who want to experience an older and smaller Evolution-class Silversea vessel can book the Silver Muse, which also will sail mostly seven- to 14-day trips between Anchorage and Vancouver.

Because nearly every Alaskan cruise includes the staples — Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Inside Passage and Denali with a land add-on — some cruise lines like to shake things up with unique itineraries.

Holland America has a roundtrip that makes it easy to visit the 49th and 50th states without a long flight. A new “Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii” cruise, part of the premium line’s Legendary Voyages collection of journeys from 25 to 59 days, departs on Aug. 31 from Seattle or Sept. 1 from Vancouver aboard the 1,916-passenger Westerdam. The nearly four-weeklong itinerary includes seldomly visited Kodiak and Dutch Harbor before heading down to the tropics to make four calls to three Hawaiian islands.

Seabourn  strives to offer a more tasteful Alaskan cruise and not only because it’s an ultra-luxury cruise line. “Caviar on the Ice” is a savory and swanky soiree on every Alaskan voyage, and when the 450-passenger Odyssey is in Sitka, a town originally built by Russian traders in the early 1800s, Seabourn guests can enjoy a culinary adventure that includes a scenic drive to a taproom for a sampling of local brews and a few eateries to try Siberian-rooted pelmeni dumplings and a hot dog made with caribou that the locals call “reindeer dawgs.” Sorry, vegetarians and friends of Santa, but Blitzen on a bun is da bomb.

Disney Cruise Line  is sending its 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder out of Vancouver for 15 week-long roundtrips, one five-day spin leaving on July 24 and an extended nine-day voyage on July 15.

Other cruise lines showing passengers a whale of a time in Alaska include Crystal, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Lindblad/National Geographic, Oceania, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas and Viking.

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