Key Aspects:
- The “Wondery Exhibit C: A True Crime Cruise” that was scheduled to embark on Norwegian Joy on January 26, 2026, has been cancelled.
- The reason behind the cancellation is a mystery, but the event organizers did confirm full refunds would be forthcoming.
- As an alternative, guests might want to get onboard Virgin Voyages’ first-ever true crime cruise setting sail in October of 2025.
True crime fans who were looking forward to starting 2026 with some thrills on the high seas will need to look elsewhere to scratch that itch.
The “Wondery Exhibit C: A True Crime Cruise” that was supposed to be hosted onboard Norwegian Joy from January 26-30, 2026, has been cancelled for unspecified reasons.
“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Exhibit C: A True Crime Cruise has been canceled,” reads a statement on the Exhibit C Cruise event website.
“We greatly appreciate this community and the true crime fans that make Exhibit C so special. We hope to reimagine this experience at a later date,” the statement continued.
A specific cause behind the cancellation was not given, although it has not stopped guests from wondering what went wrong.
Leading theories relate to not selling enough cruise cabins or changes in business strategy for Wondery, which is the Amazon-owned podcast studio behind the Exhibit C brand.
“Exhibit C: A True Crime Cruise has been canceled…I’m guessing poor ticket sales, but it looked good, it was going to be hosted by John Walsh,” one person guessed.
“Was this hosted by Wondery? I’m wondering if this is associated with the recent exodus of true crime podcasts from Wondery,” another cruise fan questioned.
This is in reference to three popular podcasts, “Morbid,” “Small Town Murder,” and “Crime in Sports,” that parted ways with Wondery earlier this summer.
No matter the reason, what’s done is done. Booked passengers can expect to receive a full refund to their original payment method within ten business days.
Alternative Onboard Experiences
The now scrapped true crime cruise onboard Norwegian Joy certainly would have been a fun and thrilling experience.
The 4-night Bahamas sailing would have been hosted by the famous John and Callahan Walsh – the co-hosts of the long-running hit TV show “America’s Most Wanted.”
This is in addition to an impressive line-up of other famous podcasters and true crime personalities.
Guests would have had the opportunity to partake in a live murder mystery show and to learn about crime-solving tactics, investigation techniques, and forensic science.
Read Also: How to Make Each Cruise a Unique Experience
It’s worth noting that for guests who have already put the wheels in motion to board the 167,725-gross ton ship on January 26, their planning doesn’t have to be for nothing.
They can still get onboard the 3,776-guest ship for the very same dates. The Breakaway-class vessel is still operating the Miami-based itinerary, just without the true crime touch.
The sailing is currently available to the general public and you can book with Cruise Hive starting at just $349 (USD).
Alternatively, it is not too late to reserve your spot onboard Virgin Voyages’ first-ever true crime cruise, which will be embarking onboard Valiant Lady on October 10, 2025, in Miami – just in time for the Halloween season.
The 5-night voyage, which is being offered through a partnership with iHeartMedia, will sail to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Bimini Island, Bahamas.
The experience onboard has also been inspired by some of iHeartMedia’s most popular true crime podcasts, such as “Betrayal,” “Buried Bones,” and “Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know.”
