A wave of mechanical issues has recently impacted several major cruise lines, including Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises. These disruptions have led to delayed arrivals, altered itineraries, and even cancelled sailings in late November 2025. The primary culprit? Propulsion system problems that have slowed down ships, affecting thousands of passengers across the Atlantic.
Queen Mary 2’s Propulsion Problems Cause Delays
Cunard Line’s flagship, the Queen Mary 2, first encountered issues during a Northern Lights cruise. A technical defect in a propulsion pod forced the ship to divert to Bremerhaven for repairs instead of Hamburg. This unexpected detour also led to the cancellation of a short Southampton mini-cruise. Despite these setbacks, the Queen Mary 2 departed Southampton on 19th November for its scheduled transatlantic journey to New York.
However, the earlier problems had a ripple effect on subsequent voyages. Upon arriving in Brooklyn on 26th November, the ship was an hour behind schedule. To manage congestion, Cunard advised embarking guests to arrive two hours later than planned. The Caribbean cruise that followed also saw changes. The stop in St Kitts on 4th December was cancelled, with an extended overnight stay in Barbados from 2nd–3rd December. The visit to St Lucia was rescheduled for 4th December. While Cunard hasn’t confirmed that propulsion issues caused these changes, the timing suggests a connection.
Carnival Conquest Faces Mechanical Setbacks
Carnival Cruise Line has also been hit by propulsion troubles. After Carnival Horizon experienced speed limitations in mid-November, Carnival Conquest faced similar issues. On 20th November, guests were informed of a mechanical problem that restricted the ship’s speed overnight. This resulted in a delayed arrival at Celebration Key during a 4-night Bahamas cruise from Miami. To compensate, Carnival shortened the port stay and offered a $50 onboard credit per stateroom.
Although the Conquest seems to have returned to normal operations, Carnival has not disclosed the cause of the incident. This isn’t the first time the vessel has faced such issues; earlier in January, engine difficulties delayed its return to port.
MSC Meraviglia Alters Bahamas Itinerary
MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia has also been affected by speed restrictions due to planned maintenance. Ahead of its 30th November Bahamas cruise from New York, guests were notified on 24th November about changes to key port arrivals. The ship’s arrival at Port Canaveral on 2nd December was moved from 1 pm to 5:30 pm, resulting in the cancellation of all excursions.
These mechanical issues have certainly caused a stir among cruise holidaygoers. As cruise lines work to resolve these problems, passengers are advised to stay informed about potential itinerary changes. For those planning a cruise holiday, it’s crucial to remain flexible and prepared for unexpected adjustments.
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