The Norwegian Star’s recent cruise to Iceland began with unexpected drama. Shortly after leaving New York City, the ship experienced a power loss. Quick-thinking crew members and tug boats resolved the issue swiftly, ensuring no delay to the planned itinerary.
Technical Glitch in the Hudson River
The cruise ship, weighing 91,740 gross tons, set sail from Manhattan Cruise Terminal at 4 pm EST on 12th July 2025. Onboard were 2,348 passengers, eager for a 14-night Transatlantic adventure. However, a technical propulsion failure soon left the ship adrift in the Hudson River, without air conditioning, running water, or thrust.
Swift Resolution and Return to Port
Tug boats were dispatched immediately to guide the ship back to Pier 88. The crew quickly identified and repaired the issue. According to an NCL statement, the ship departed New York City on schedule, but returned to port with tugboat assistance due to the propulsion problem. By 12:30 am on 13th July, the vessel resumed its journey, maintaining its schedule, including the first stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 14th July.
Norwegian Star’s Propulsion Challenges
The exact cause of the recent failure remains undisclosed. However, Norwegian Star has a history of propulsion issues, dating back to 2003. These problems have recurred in subsequent years, often linked to the ship’s Azipod propulsion system. It’s unclear if Azipod was involved in this latest incident. Despite the initial hiccup, cruise tracking data shows the ship is now sailing smoothly and on schedule.
Itinerary Highlights
The Norwegian Star’s itinerary includes stops in Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island; Nuuk and Paamiut, Greenland; and Isafjordur, Akureyri, and Grundarfjordur, Iceland. The voyage concludes in Reykjavik on 26th July 2025.
Power Outages: A Growing Concern?
This summer has seen several cruise ships experiencing power issues. In June, MSC Orchestra faced an outage due to a small fire, while Celebrity Infinity was stranded in Kusadasi, Turkey, for days. These incidents have heightened passenger concerns, especially with the popularity of cruise-themed documentaries like Netflix’s “Trainwreck.”
Expert Assurance on Cruise Safety
Despite these concerns, experts assure that serious power failures are rare. Modern cruise ships are well-equipped to handle disruptions. They carry backup generators, advanced diagnostics, and trained engineers to manage emergency repairs swiftly. Multiple communication channels ensure passengers are kept informed and safe during such events.
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