Opportunities to cruise through a bucket-list travel region have suddenly become more limited after Norwegian Cruise Line made big changes to its fleet deployment plans for the winter 2025 – 2026 cruise season.
Although there are many desirable cruise destinations around the globe, some are much more in demand than others, leading some cruise lines to drop exotic deployments in favor of more common cruise itineraries.
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As the cruise industry rides a monster wave of demand overall, traveler interest continues to climb higher and higher for ever-popular Caribbean cruises, causing some cruise lines to shift focus away from other regions as they prioritize offering more options in the Caribbean.
This is the case for Norwegian Cruise Line, which recently canceled full seasons of future cruises to far-flung destinations in favor of sending more ships to sail to The Bahamas and Caribbean.
The cruise line is investing in major upgrades to its private island in The Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, and now plans to ramp up calls to the exclusive destination, taking more passengers to experience its private paradise than ever before in 2026.
And with that increased attention on Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line is distancing itself from another destination that tops many travelers’ bucket lists.
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Norwegian Cruise Line is investing in major enhancements to its private island in The Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.
Image source: Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line moves away from South America, Antarctica
As Norwegian adds more itineraries that sail to Great Stirrup Cay and Caribbean ports, it’s leaving South America cruises behind.
Norwegian Star recently completed its final season in the region where it sailed cruises to ports in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, as well as Antarctica. With its South America itineraries now canceled for 2025 – 2026, no Norwegian cruise ship is scheduled to sail to those destinations for at least the next two years.
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The only South America cruises that remain on Norwegian’s schedule are two Peru and Latin America voyages that sail along the West Coast in early 2026 on Norwegian Jade, and one Panama Canal cruise visiting Cartagena, Colombia in April 2026 aboard Norwegian Joy.
South America cruises replaced with Caribbean sailings from Tampa
Instead of South America cruises, Norwegian Star will sail a series of Caribbean cruises from Tampa, Florida from December 2025 – April 2026. The ship will later transition to Mexican Riviera sailings from San Diego for the winter 2026 – 2027 season.
Norwegian also canceled Norwegian Dawn’s deployment to Africa and the Indian Ocean for winter 2025 – 2026 in favor of Caribbean itineraries from Tampa.
In letters sent to passengers booked on the canceled cruises, the cruise line said these kinds of cancellations allow Norwegian “the opportunity to introduce enhanced voyages that accommodate strong guest demand and provide a more immersive experience.”
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It’s unclear whether Norwegian Cruise Line may bring back a steady schedule of South America cruises in future. The cruise line did not return a request for comment.
As an alternative, cruisers looking for sailings in South America and Antarctica can consider options with Norwegian’s sister cruise line Oceania Cruises, which offers a variety of itineraries in the region.
Holland America Line and Princess Cruises also sail some longer South America and Antarctica voyages. Celebrity Cruises offers options as well, with sailings from Buenos Aires aboard Celebrity Equinox from December to March. Its sister cruise line Silversea offers South America voyages too. Other cruise lines with a strong presence in South America include MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises.
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