A last-minute itinerary change is rarely welcomed by cruise guests, but for passengers sailing aboard Norwegian Encore in January, the alteration delivered a historic first for Norwegian Cruise Line.
The Breakaway Plus-class ship departed Miami on 17th January 2026 for a seven-night Caribbean and Bahamas cruise that had originally been scheduled to call at Roatan in Honduras, Harvest Caye in Belize, Costa Maya in Mexico and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.
However, shortly before arrival, the planned call to Costa Maya on 21st January was cancelled due to changes in port availability.
The adjustment was widely linked to ongoing construction at Costa Maya, where Royal Caribbean has been redeveloping the port into its upcoming Perfect Day Mexico destination, expected to open in autumn 2027.
Although Royal Caribbean took ownership of the port in summer 2025 and committed to keeping it open to all cruise lines, construction activity appeared to temporarily limit access.
An Historic Overnight At Great Stirrup Cay
Rather than a straightforward replacement port, Norwegian Cruise Line opted to introduce something entirely new. In place of Costa Maya, Norwegian Encore became the first ship in the fleet to offer an overnight stay at Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.
Up to 3,958 guests onboard were informed that they would be part of a first-of-its-kind experience for the brand.
In a message sent to passengers during the voyage, Norwegian Cruise Line wrote: “We’re thrilled to introduce an extraordinary, first-of-its-kind experience, an overnight stay at our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. This will mark the first overnight visit offered to Norwegian Cruise Line guests.”
The cruise line added: “This moment gives you the rare opportunity to be among the first guests to experience Great Stirrup Cay after dark, truly making cruise history.”
Instead of arriving on the morning of 23rd January as originally planned, Norwegian Encore docked at the island’s newly completed pier at 4pm on 22nd January.
Guests were able to enjoy the island until midnight, including a Glow Party held under the stars between 9pm and 11pm. The following day, the island reopened to passengers until the ship departed at 5pm, effectively giving guests parts of two days ashore.
Slight Adjustment At Harvest Caye
To make the overnight call possible, a minor change was also made earlier in the itinerary. The visit to Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destination in Belize, was shortened.
Norwegian Cruise Line advised guests: “We’ve adjusted the timing of our visit to Harvest Caye, Belize to better align with port logistics.”
Instead of an original schedule of 8am to 6pm, Norwegian Encore called at Harvest Caye from 7am until 3pm on 20th January.
While this resulted in roughly two fewer hours ashore, the revised timing allowed the ship additional sailing time to comfortably cover the approximately 1,400 nautical miles between Belize and the Bahamas.
Positive Reaction From Guests And Cruise Fans
Reaction to the changes was overwhelmingly positive, both from guests onboard and from cruise fans following the voyage on social media. Many welcomed the reduced pressure of an overnight stay, noting that it removed the usual concerns about getting back to the ship on time.
Others were simply pleased to spend more time at Great Stirrup Cay, with some expressing little disappointment over missing Costa Maya altogether. The prospect of a beach party in the evening also proved popular, particularly among guests who enjoy the island atmosphere after sunset.
Looking ahead, the successful overnight stay could influence future itineraries. Norwegian Cruise Line has invested around $150 million in recent and upcoming enhancements at Great Stirrup Cay, including the new Great Life Lagoon pool area and the forthcoming Great Tides Waterpark.
If guest feedback remains strong, overnight visits may become another feature added to the private island experience in the years to come.
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