Power Failure Forces Norwegian Star Back to NYC After Departure

Passengers aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star faced an unexpected disruption just hours into their 14-night transatlantic voyage when the ship lost power and was forced to return to New York City on July 12.

The ship had departed from Manhattan Cruise Terminal at 4:00 p.m., bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a final destination of Reykjavik, Iceland. However, the 2,348-passenger vessel soon suffered a propulsion system failure, resulting in a loss of power, air conditioning, and running water while drifting in the Hudson River.

Eyewitnesses reported the ship was “stuck in the same spot for hours,” before two tugboats assisted it back to Pier 88. Passengers shared real-time updates on social media, citing flickering lights, engine problems, and deteriorating onboard conditions. Temperatures outside hovered in the 80s as guests endured limited ventilation and cooling.

Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the incident in a statement, noting the captain returned to port out of caution. The issue was resolved shortly after docking. Following clearance from the U.S. Coast Guard, the ship departed again at 12:30 a.m. on July 13 and continued its itinerary.

While the exact cause remains unclear, the Norwegian Star has previously experienced propulsion issues tied to its Azipod system. The cruise line did not specify whether this same system was involved in the latest malfunction.

Despite the delay, the ship is still expected to arrive in Halifax on July 14, followed by stops in Canada, Greenland, and Iceland, before concluding in Reykjavik on July 26.

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