Naval Exercises Lead To Unexpected Norwegian Epic Cruise Change In Curaçao

Published on December 19, 2025

Recently, Curaçao’s island paradise (one of the Caribbean’s largest islands) had to modify its cruise schedule when, on December 17, 2023, the Norwegian Epic, operated by the Norwegian Cruise Line, ceased to list Willemstad port as a planned port of call. This is the result of a change in the ship’s Caribbean itinerary due to military exercises in the Caribbean. The decision has sparked attention from the ship’s passengers, as well as the local authorities, who welcomed the ship’s planned December visit.

What Forced The Change?

Curacao’s government stated that the cancellation was due to military operations in the Caribbean waters, but did not elaborate on the nature of the operations. The captain of Norwegian Epic told passengers that he was mandated to change the vessel’s itinerary due to the military exercises in the region. He stood by the request made by the ship’s management to change the itinerary.

While most of the ship’s passengers had already received information about the planned visit before the cruise ship arrived, the information communicated was that of a change in the vessel’s itinerary. Norwegian Cruise Line took the necessary measures to ensure that all cruise passengers on board had an enjoyable cruise holiday, despite the cancellation of the port of call.

The Effects on the Itinerary

The Norwegian Epic had a seven-day voyage planned out of Puerto Rico on a lovely route through t\ the Southern Caribbean. When the ship departed San Juan on December 14, 2025, the first stop was Aruba, and the planned stop was Curacao. Their were port cancelation which meant the detour of the ship.

Instead of continuing to Curacao, the ship was heading north to a long detour to Bridgetown, which was an unscheduled stop at the Port of Bridgetown, Barbados. From there, the ship was supposed to head to the planned stops of St. Kitts and St. Lucia, and then return to Puerto Rico on December 21, 2025. Management on the ship let customers know about the changes, and were optimistic about the new remaining stops of the cruise, and confident that it would be a well-planned portion of the trip.

Local Impact

Local officials like Economic Development Minister Roderick Middelhof grounded the visit. However, Middelhof has yet to adduce the reason the ship called off. While the naval exercises may have affected the schedule, it is a common practice to call off a cruise to a port for operational security concerns.

No matter the reason, the cruise line, and the exercising of the operational protocols, the cruise passengers will always irate at missed ports.

Other Ships Continue Visits to Curaçao

The Norwegian Epic cruise ship was also slated for cancellations; however, it has not affected the ports of call for the other cruise vessels. On the 17th of December, 2025, a Curtis port visit was also maintained by the other two vessels. The other ship, Volendam, of the Holland America Line, also made a port visit to Curtis during a 30-day cruise that also visited Brazil, French Guiana, Trinidad, and other Caribbean islands.

After the unfortunate cancellation of the Norwegian Epic, Celebrity Silhouette, an 8-night cruise ship, was still able to make its scheduled stop to Curaçao with little disruption. On the cruise, which made stops in Aruba, Bonaire, and Willemstad, all the guests aboard Silhouette were able to partake in the sightseeing the lovely island has to offer.

Curaçao’s Cruising and Future Calls

Despite being one of the most Caribbean islands with the most scheduled cruise calls, the cancellation of the Norwegian Epic’s call to Curaçao was a surprise. Throughout the Caribbean islands, Curaçao has preserved its culture and colonial history, with its distinct Dutch colonial and vibrant architecture, which can easily be appreciated.

Willemstad, the capital of the island, is also a UNESCO Heritage Site, and unlike any other in the Caribbean, its architecture and harbor. The island also has a kaleidoscope of influences with modern art installations, luxury and high-end resorts, and colonial age historical buildings, all combined with Caribbean culture.

Conclusion

If you’re sailing on the Norwegian Epic or are scheduled for that show, the most recent update about the missed port in Curaçao triggers one of the most important aspects of Caribbean cruising – travel itineraries can get adjusted for a multitude of reasons, and military exercises are one of the most common reasons. As a military flight arrives, tourists are frequently given a port of call change, while still offering the guests on board with their cruise a fitting alternative for a positive travel experience.

In the meantime, Curaçao is a delightful relay point for guests on their way to a true Caribbean experience, and it will continue to charm with its authentic history, adorable culture, and beautiful nature. Remind yourself and those traveling with you in the Caribbean that cruise itineraries can change or adjust, and travel with a positive mindset to the surprises that await you.