Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss had to cut its trip short this week due to engine problems. A port of call also had to be cancelled.
The ship, which left Los Angeles on March 23, was en route between Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan when passengers said they heard a loud noise. Hours later, Captain Vicente Amicone announced that technical issues with the propulsion system forced the cancellation of a planned stop in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The ship is now heading back to Los Angeles to ensure it arrives on time by March 30.
A Reddit user shared the news, warning others about potential delays for upcoming cruises. A letter from Norwegian Cruise Line, dated March 25, confirmed the change, explaining that the revised itinerary skips Puerto Vallarta but keeps the return date intact.
The original schedule included stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, with additional days at sea. Now, the ship will spend an extra day at sea to make it back to Los Angeles by 7:00 a.m. on March 30.
To compensate passengers, the cruise line is offering a $100 non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom and a 10% discount as a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for bookings made by December 31, 2026. Shore excursions booked for Puerto Vallarta through Norwegian have been cancelled, with refunds issued to onboard accounts.
Norwegian Bliss is currently moving at 12 knots as it travels back to Los Angeles. At this current speed the ship should arrive back at port by Sunday as it has about 600 more nautical miles to travel.
Based on tracking data from CruiseMapper, Norwegian Bliss is positioned off the coast of Punta Eugenia, Baja California Sur, Mexico as of 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday.
Those booked on upcoming sailings are eagerly awaiting updates from NCL regarding any possible delays.
Though the situation is frustrating, Norwegian stressed that safety remains their foremost concern, and they’re focused on ensuring a seamless return for all passengers on board.
Norwegian Bliss was built in 2018 as the third Breakaway Plus class ship with the cruise line. The vessel has a double capacity of 4,000 passengers and has a gross tonnage of 168,028.
The vessel just underwent a dry dock that was completed on February 2, 2025. During the dry dock the ship received some venue changes, new dining options, and updated cabins, among a few other enhancements.
