Key Aspects:
- Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 has been experiencing propulsion difficulties that are limiting her speed since mid-November.
- The ship arrived late in New York on November 26, 2025, which delayed embarkation.
- Multiple port calls at the end of the Caribbean itinerary have been replaced or switched to new dates.
Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 has had a rough couple weeks, and the troubles will continue into the two Thanksgiving voyages that are both embarking on November 26, 2025.
During a recent Northern Lights sailing, the 2,961-guest ship had to divert to Bremerhaven, Germany, instead of Hamburg, Germany, to facilitate repairs following propulsion issues.
Cunard Line shared that the problem was related to a “technical defect in a propulsion pod,” which could significantly impact the ship’s cruising speed and maneuverability.
A subsequent mini cruise to Southampton, UK, also had to be cancelled and the fate of her November 19, 2025, transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York, New York, was called into question.
Read Also: What is a Transatlantic Cruise and Should You Take One?
Thankfully, the crossing did set sail as planned, but the impact of the propulsion issues have snowballed into the two cruises embarking in New York on November 26, 2025.
The first itinerary is a 19-night transatlantic voyage that sails through the Eastern Caribbean before returning to Southampton.
The second sailing that is being operated simultaneously is a 12-night voyage to the Eastern Caribbean that disembarks in New York on December 8, 2025.
Delayed Arrival in Brooklyn
Queen Mary 2 arrived late at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on November 26, 2025, which has led to a delay for the embarkation process.
Guests were asked to arrive at the cruise port two hours later than planned as a result.
“Embarkation on Wednesday (26 November) will begin slightly later than previously scheduled. As a result, we ask that you arrive two hours later than the arrival time published on your boarding pass,” the Carnival-owned brand wrote to guests.
According to cruise tracking data and guests who were onboard, the delay into Brooklyn may not have been quite as significant as the cruise line may have been expecting, as the ship was only about an hour late.
“I’ll add QM2 arrived at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal about 7:30am this morning (so only an hour behind the originally scheduled 6:30am arrival time,” a passenger said.
That said, it still takes time to get clearance to disembark guests and go through the customs process, so this may be a situation where it’s better to overestimate than underestimate.
Cruise Port Gets Replaced
The Caribbean itinerary calls for stops at Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; and Basseterre, St. Kitts.
However, the planned call to St. Kitts on December 4, which would have been the final stop of the 12-night voyage, is no longer possible.
“As we look forward to the upcoming itinerary and finalise arrangements with the local agents, we regret to advise that our previously planned call to St Kitts on 4 December, can no longer go ahead,” Cunard Line noted.
Instead, the December 2 call to Barbados has been extended into an overnight call that will last through December 3.
Relatedly, the stop in St. Lucia will be bumped from December 3 to December 4.
“In an effort to ensure that you can continue to enjoy your time ashore, we have secured an overnight call in Bridgetown, Barbados. Queen Mary 2 will now arrive in Barbados on the morning of 2 December and remain alongside until late evening on 3 December,” the cruise line continued.
“In order to accommodate this exciting overnight opportunity, our call to St Lucia will now take place on 4 December.”
The cruise line did not confirm if the itinerary was changed due to ongoing propulsion issues, or if other factors are also at play.
However, these are most likely operational adjustments related to the defective pod.
