Passengers stuck at sea as Norwegian cancels cruise mid-trip

Hundreds of passengers are stuck at sea after one of the world’s biggest cruise companies cancelled their holiday, midway through the trip.

Travellers on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship in the Caribbean have become stuck at sea after the company called off the trip mid-voyage due to Covid-19 issues.

Passenger Aimee Focaraccio said she boarded the Norwegian Gem from New York for a 10-day trip last Sunday for her birthday, but the holiday became a “nightmare” when the cruise line cancelled the voyage four days later and provided no timeline for the ship to return, the New York Post reported.

“Without the islands and ports to break up the sea days, this is turning into a nightmare. I really can’t imagine four more sea days back-to-back without much to do,” Ms Focaraccio told USA Today.

The Norwegian Gem has been hit by a Covid outbreak. Picture: Michel Verdure

She said the prospect of being stuck on the boat was “extremely unsettling”.

“Tomorrow will really be the only nice day to enjoy the outdoors and after that, we will be stuck inside. With limited shows, small crowds, and nothing to do. I’m upset,” she said.

Others, however, were taking the last-minute changes in their stride.

“We all knew when we booked during such difficult times due to Covid that there would most likely be changes to our itinerary,” Anthony Bivona told the outlet.

“It was not the exact itinerary we signed up for but has still been an absolutely amazing cruise.”

No details were provided about the Covid-19 issues that led to the cancellation.

Cruising has been heavily impacted by Covid.

Christine Da Silva, senior vice president of branding and communication for Norwegian Cruise Line, did not specify exactly when the cruise would return to New York but said that it would be “shortly”.

“As we continue to navigate the fluid public health environment, while focusing on delivering a safe experience for all on board, today, we made the difficult decision to cancel Norwegian Gem’s current Caribbean sailing, due to Covid-related circumstances,” Ms Da Silva said.

All passengers on the Gem will receive a full refund, Cruise Industry News reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that cruise-goers face a risk of getting and spreading the virus, regardless of vaccination status.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission