Norwegian Ship Cancels Thanksgiving Cruise

Thousands of guests won’t be able to spend Thanksgiving aboard a cruise ship as planned this year.

Norwegian Jade was only three days into a 10-night cruise from Miami when she experienced a mechanical issue, causing the ship to be stuck at her first port of call — San Juan, Puerto Rico. Guests weren’t sure if they’d just be in San Juan longer than scheduled before continuing on their way, but on Sunday evening, November 18, Captain Frank Juliussen announced that the rest of the voyage had been canceled in a letter to guests. “As you may have heard during my announcement earlier,” he began, “Norwegian Jade is experiencing a mechanical issue. While this issues does not affect the safety of the ship, it will prevent us from sailing our scheduled itinerary… As a result, we will remain alongside in Puerto Rico through Tuesday…where all guests will be required to debark as the ship will undergo several days of repairs.” The line also stated that after repairs in Puerto Rico, the ship will be heading straight for Miami for additional repairs.

To apologize and make it up to passengers, Norwegian Cruise Line refunded the entire cost of the cruise and extended future cruise credit based on the cruise fare that each guest paid. They also secured charter flights from San Juan to Miami for everyone, since the cruise was supposed to be a round trip that would return to Miami. For those that were able to make their own flight arrangements, Norwegian stated that they would pay up to $650 in change fees. The line also opened up the onboard phone and internet lines to allow guests to begin making alternative arrangements. 

Norwegian Jade departed on November 16 and after San Juan, was scheduled to call in St. Thomas, St Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten. A spokesperson for Norwegian told Fox News, “We are very sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this unexpected situation has caused, especially during this special holiday cruise, and we thank our loyal guests for their patience and understanding. Their safety and security, as well as that of our crew, is always our first priority.”

As of today (November 20), over 40 hours after the captain announced that the cruise was over, it appears that still not all passengers are off the ship yet.

It’s been 36 hours since @CruiseNorwegian #Jade told us that the cruise was over. We’re pretty sure that we have to be off the ship around 4:30. Still no information about anything. I’m growing restless.

— Branden Lane (@BrandenMLane) November 20, 2018

Update 2700 Cruise Passengers Stranded in San Juan For Thanksgiving Norwegian Jade Cancels Cruise https://t.co/2hShXzsD5y One way flight to Miami $1000 ea. #norwegian #norwegianjade

— @travellingwithbruce (@travellingwith1) November 20, 2018

There’s no word on what type of mechanical difficulties the ship is experiencing or whether it will impact future sailings.