Key Aspects:
- MSC notified guests that the November 30, 2025, Bahamas itinerary aboard MSC Meraviglia has been altered.
- The stop at Port Canaveral has been shortened and all excursions cancelled, while the stop at MSC Ocean Cay has been extended.
- Guests are being automatically refunded for cancelled excursions and will receive a $100 per person onboard credit.
Propulsion issues are at it again, this time for MSC Meraviglia.
MSC Cruises sent out an alert to guests on Monday, November 24, 2025, informing them of major changes to their upcoming November 30 Bahamas itinerary aboard the 171,598 gross-ton ship, departing from New York City.
“Due to planned maintenance affecting the ship’s cruising speed, we have made some necessary adjustments to your itinerary,” the notice read.
The December 2 stop at Port Canaveral has been pushed back four and a half hours, now arriving at 5:30 p.m. instead of 1:00 p.m., as was originally scheduled.
As a result, time in the Florida port will be limited, and all excursions have been cancelled.
These changes are surely disappointing for guests who were looking forward to spending time in Port Canaveral. It should be just enough time, though, to grab a bite to eat at one of the port’s many popular restaurants, such as those featured at The Cove.
Read Also: What You Should Know About Cruise Port Cancellations
Meanwhile, the December 3 arrival at the cruise line’s private destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, has been pushed back two hours from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Rather than limit the time on the island, however, MSC instead extended the ship’s stay, now departing the private island at 8:30 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m.
The rest of the itinerary remains unchanged, including the December 4 stop in Nassau, Bahamas, as well as the return to New York’s Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on December 7.
This delay comes just six months after a similar New York to Bahamas itinerary aboard the 5,714-passenger ship was cancelled for repairs in May 2025.
The ship, which entered service in 2017, spent several unscheduled days in Portland, Maine, as divers performed a series of underwater repairs, including replacing broken propeller blades.
Hopefully, the scheduled maintenance can iron out any lingering issues and get MSC Meraviglia back in shipshape.
How Will Guests Be Compensated?
Guests can rest assured that MSC will be compensating them for the inconvenience.
All cancelled excursions will be automatically refunded to guests in full. Additionally, guests will receive $100 in onboard credit per person, limited to $200 per stateroom.
Onboard credit can be used almost anywhere onboard the ship, including shopping, specialty dining, the MSC Aurea Spa, and more!
“We are going to have an excessive amount of onboard credit since we have a big group with multiple rooms. Does anyone know of that onboard credit can be used to pay tips?“, one impacted guest asked on social media.Â
The answer? Absolutely! In fact, it will be automatically applied before the guest’s on-file credit card for every qualifying purchase, including gratuities.
While onboard credit cannot usually be used for purchases made ashore, it can be used anywhere at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. So, if you were looking to grab some souvenirs at the private destination, here is your chance!
Even though the sailing might not be exactly what guests were expecting, it should still be an incredible cruise vacation.
