Imagine booking a nine-night Baltic cruise with stops across six different countries, only to watch your itinerary shrink one port at a time.
That’s the reality facing guests aboard Norwegian Sun, where what began as a routine European sailing has turned into a series of unexpected itinerary changes caused by ongoing propulsion problems.
Passengers had already accepted the loss of several ports earlier in the voyage.
Now, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced yet another major adjustment, removing an additional destination so engineers can continue working on the ship before its next cruise.
The good news is that the cruise line is increasing compensation for affected guests, and it believes the extra repair time could help prevent future sailings from being disrupted.
Another Port Has Been Removed From the Itinerary
When Norwegian Sun departed Helsinki, Finland, on June 24, guests expected to enjoy a nine-night journey through Northern Europe before ending the cruise in Copenhagen.
Originally, the itinerary included visits to:
- Estonia
- Sweden
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Germany
- Denmark
Unfortunately, propulsion issues discovered shortly after embarkation have dramatically changed those plans.
Earlier in the voyage, Norwegian Cruise Line cancelled calls to:
- Sweden
- Lithuania
- Poland
The company also rearranged several remaining port visits while adding another stop in Denmark.
Now, guests have learned that another scheduled destination has also been removed.
Kiel Is the Latest Casualty
Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that the planned stop in Kiel, Germany, on July 1 will no longer take place.
Instead of continuing to Germany, the ship will sail directly to Copenhagen, Denmark, where it will remain for an extended stay while technical teams carry out repairs.
For passengers, that means one less country to visit—but considerably more time in Denmark’s capital.
Updated Ending to the Cruise
Instead of arriving in Copenhagen on the morning of July 2, Norwegian Sun will now dock much earlier.
The revised schedule calls for:
- Arrival in Copenhagen at 7:00 p.m. on July 1.
- Two overnight stays alongside.
- Scheduled debarkation is on July 3.
Passengers will now have well over a full day to explore Copenhagen before leaving the ship.
While some guests may welcome the extra sightseeing time, others booked the cruise specifically for its variety of ports rather than an extended stay in one city.
More Time Ashore Comes With One Drawback
At first glance, spending extra time in Copenhagen sounds like a bonus.
The Danish capital offers plenty to see, including:
- Nyhavn waterfront
- Tivoli Gardens
- The Little Mermaid statue
- Rosenborg Castle
- Historic canals
- Excellent restaurants and cafés
However, experienced cruisers know there’s another side to overnight port stays.
Depending on local regulations, some onboard venues may operate on limited schedules while the ship remains docked.
That can include:
- Casino closures.
- Reduced shopping hours.
- Limited onboard activities.
Passengers who prefer spending sea days enjoying the ship itself may find the extended stay less appealing than originally planned.
Norwegian Cruise Line Increases Guest Compensation
Recognizing how much the voyage has changed, Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded the compensation package for everyone onboard.
When the first itinerary changes were announced, guests received:
- $100 onboard credit.
- 25% Future Cruise Credit toward another Norwegian sailing.
Now, the cruise line is offering something much more substantial.
Additional Compensation Includes
- A 25% refund of the cruise fare paid for the current sailing.
- Refunds processed back to the original payment method.
- Expected processing within 7 to 10 business days after the cruise ends.
That refund comes in addition to the previously announced onboard credit and future cruise credit, making it one of the more generous compensation packages offered for an itinerary disruption.
Shore Excursions Will Be Refunded Automatically
Passengers who booked excursions through Norwegian Cruise Line for the cancelled Kiel visit won’t need to take any action.
The cruise line says all affected tours will automatically be cancelled, with refunds issued as onboard credit during the voyage.
Guests who arranged private excursions independently should contact their tour operators directly regarding cancellation policies or possible refunds.
Repairs Are Finally Moving Forward
While passengers continue adjusting to the changing itinerary, Norwegian says there is encouraging news behind the scenes.
According to the cruise line, engineers have now identified exactly what repairs are needed.
That means the additional time in Copenhagen isn’t simply a precaution.
Instead, it has been built into the itinerary specifically to give technical teams the opportunity to complete the necessary work before the ship begins its next cruise.
The hope is that resolving the issue now will prevent even more cancellations in the coming weeks.
The Ship Is Still Sailing at Reduced Speed
Ship tracking data continues to reflect the propulsion problems.
After departing Riga, Latvia, Norwegian Sun has been sailing at approximately 11 knots, significantly slower than its normal operating speed.
For comparison:
| Speed | Approximate Performance |
|---|---|
| Current Speed | 11 knots |
| Maximum Speed | 23 knots |
Although reduced speed affects scheduling, it also places less strain on the propulsion system while engineers continue repairs.
This slower pace has played a major role in the itinerary changes announced throughout the voyage.
Will the Next Cruise Be Affected?
At the moment, Norwegian Cruise Line says no changes have been announced for the ship’s upcoming sailing.
The next voyage is scheduled to depart Copenhagen on July 3 for another nine-night cruise back to Helsinki.
That itinerary is expected to include visits to:
- Norway
- Germany
- Poland
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Sweden
- Estonia
If repairs are successfully completed during the extended stay in Copenhagen, Norwegian hopes the ship will be able to operate at normal cruising speed once again.
Of course, passengers booked on upcoming departures should continue monitoring communications from the cruise line in case further updates become necessary.
A Cruise Few Guests Expected
Mechanical issues can happen aboard any cruise ship, but it’s unusual to see a sailing undergo this many itinerary revisions within a single voyage.
What started as a Baltic adventure featuring multiple countries has gradually transformed into a cruise with fewer ports, slower sailing speeds, and an extended stay in Copenhagen.
While Norwegian Cruise Line has acknowledged the disruption by offering refunds, onboard credit, and future cruise credit, many passengers will understandably remember this voyage for the destinations they missed rather than the ones they visited.
The coming days will now be focused on one thing—whether engineers can complete the repairs in time for Norwegian Sun’s next group of guests to enjoy the itinerary they originally booked.
