Bomb Cyclone Sends Norwegian Breakaway Back to New York Early

Norwegian Cruise Line has revised an 11-night Caribbean sailing of Norwegian Breakaway, cancelling its planned Jan. 30, 2026 call to St. Thomas and turning the ship back toward New York early to avoid a rapidly intensifying winter storm forecast to hit the U.S. East Coast.

The storm, described by forecasters as a bomb cyclone, is expected to bring a mix of heavy snow, strong winds and unusually high tides from roughly Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, creating navigation challenges and prompting additional itinerary changes by Carnival Cruise Line.

Norwegian Breakaway skips St. Thomas as the ship repositions for New York

Norwegian Breakaway departed the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on Jan. 23, 2026, for an 11-night itinerary scheduled to include Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St. Maarten and St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands). After calling on St. Maarten on Jan. 29, the ship began its return north instead of continuing to St. Thomas.

In a letter to guests, Norwegian cited deteriorating conditions in the North Atlantic, saying “a large winter system moving through the eastern United States and the North Atlantic” was affecting the ship’s ability to keep its planned return timing and was “making it challenging to maintain the speed needed for our planned turnaround.”

Norwegian also told passengers that, “while this isn’t the itinerary we originally planned, it does mean you’ll enjoy extra time in New York City, including an overnight stay.”

Arrival timing, onboard access in port, and options for guests

Norwegian’s guest communications set an arrival for late Feb. 1, 2026, and one update described an 11 p.m. docking at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal that night. Separately, cruise schedule updates listed docking on Feb. 2 as the ship completed its northbound transit, reflecting how arrival windows can shift with real-time conditions and port operations.

During the additional time alongside in Manhattan, passengers are expected to retain access to onboard venues and public spaces, with one notable exception: the casino typically does not operate while a ship is docked.

Norwegian’s plan also gives guests time ashore in New York during the added overnight. Passengers who want to end their trip early may be given the option to disembark once the ship is cleared in port, though timing can depend on security and terminal procedures.

Shore excursion refunds and what has not been announced

Norwegian cancelled shore excursions in St. Thomas that were purchased through the cruise line. The company advised guests that cancelled tours would receive full refunds credited back to onboard accounts.

The available updates did not include an official statement on whether additional compensation would be offered beyond excursion refunds, including whether any prorated refunds would apply for guests who choose to disembark early.

Carnival shortens one sailing and warns of possible delays for another

• Norfolk turnaround: Carnival Sunshine, sailing an eight-night Caribbean itinerary from Norfolk, Virginia, will return to its homeport a day early on Jan. 31, 2026, after cancelling a planned call to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. Guests will not be required to disembark upon arrival, and the early return is intended to help the ship keep its Feb. 1 departure on schedule.
• Baltimore monitoring: Carnival Pride is expected to conclude its current seven-night Bahamas itinerary and return to Baltimore on Feb. 1, with plans to sail the same day for its next voyage. Carnival has cautioned that adverse weather could affect embarkation-day operations and advised guests to watch for updates via text alerts and email.

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald told passengers booked on Carnival Pride that, “For now, there are no changes,” adding that the line would continue monitoring conditions and communicate adjustments if necessary.

Forecast details driving the operational changes

The National Weather Service has issued Cold Weather Advisories and Gale Warnings along parts of the East Coast as the storm strengthens. Forecasters have warned of blizzard conditions in portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with coastal flooding risks tied to the combination of strong onshore winds and high tides.

In an update posted on X, the National Weather Service said: “The rapidly deepening storm system will produce powerful onshore winds along the Mid-Atlantic Coast from the North Carolina Outer Banks northward.” The agency added, “Wind gusts near-hurricane force will coincide with astronomical high tides to produce moderate to locally significant coastal flooding.”

In New York City, forecasts cited freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills, with around two inches of snow possible and wind gusts reaching roughly 45 miles per hour around Feb. 1, alongside wind chills as low as minus 11 degrees Fahrenheit.

Norwegian Breakaway’s next cruise is scheduled to embark from New York on Feb. 3, 2026, and the early return is intended to keep the ship positioned for that turnaround as the storm moves through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is causing the itinerary changes along the U.S. East Coast?

Cruise lines are adjusting sailings to avoid a rapidly intensifying winter storm described as a bomb cyclone, with forecasts calling for heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding risks from about Jan. 30 through Feb. 1.

When is Norwegian Breakaway expected to return to Manhattan, and why do times vary?

Passenger communications set an arrival for late Feb. 1, 2026, with one update citing an 11 p.m. docking, while cruise schedule updates listed docking on Feb. 2. Arrival windows can change based on real-time weather, safe operating speeds and port conditions as the ship completes its northbound transit.

Will guests receive refunds for cancelled St. Thomas excursions, and is there additional compensation?

Norwegian cancelled St. Thomas shore excursions purchased through the cruise line and said full refunds would be credited back to guests’ onboard accounts. The updates did not include an official statement on additional compensation beyond excursion refunds, including any prorated refunds for guests who disembark early.

What can guests expect onboard during Norwegian Breakaway’s extra time in New York?

Guests are expected to retain access to onboard venues and public spaces while the ship is docked, but the casino typically does not operate while in port. Norwegian also indicated guests will have extra time to go ashore in New York during the added overnight stay.

Which other Carnival ships are changing plans because of the storm?

Carnival Sunshine cancelled a call to Grand Turk and is returning to Norfolk a day early on Jan. 31, 2026, with guests not required to disembark. Carnival has also told guests to monitor updates for Carnival Pride in Baltimore, where weather could affect Feb. 1 embarkation-day operations even as the ship is currently planned to return and sail again that day.