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Thousands Stranded in Barcelona After Norwegian Cruise Ship has Mechanical Failure

Tiffany Meier
By Tiffany Meier
July 3, 2019World News
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Thousands Stranded in Barcelona After Norwegian Cruise Ship has Mechanical Failure
Norwegian liner Pearl ship leaves the access channel from Le Havre harbour, northern France, on May 8, 2019. (Jean-Francois Monier/AFP/Getty Images)

Thousands of passengers got stuck onboard a Norwegian cruise ship in Barcelona after the ship suffered a mechanical failure. Another cruise due to depart later this week has also been canceled.

The Norwegian Pearl, which is part of the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), was nearing the end of a 13-night cruise that began on June 22 in Amsterdam, according to the Independent.

On July 1, the cruise line issued a statement about “a mechanical issue which necessitates that she travel at a reduced speed.”

As a result of the mechanical failure aboard the ship, the cruise had to stay an extra night in Barcelona, causing cancelations at further ports.

“After review, the ship will now remain in Barcelona an extra evening and will sail to Livorno, Italy, on July 3, 2019, missing her call to Monte Carlo. She will conclude her voyage in Rome, Italy,” the cruise line said in the statement.

The cruise was supposed to make stops in Monte Carlo and Palma, Majorca, which were both canceled.

With more than 2,300 passengers estimated on board, several people aboard the ship took to social media to voice their complaints.

“The Norwegian Pearl has now canceled two ports of call during its voyage without giving passengers compensation. Absolutely unacceptable, especially for a vacation this expensive. Will never sail NCL again,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Several others responded on the same thread.

“We’re also on the ship,” another commented. “Zero communication. Worst crisis management ever. How do we now get to Rome to fly home?”

While another person shared a photo of people on the stranded cruise ship.

Because of the mechanical failure aboard the cruise line, the NCL issued a statement canceling a scheduled due to depart on July 5 from Civitavecchia.

“Due to necessary repairs, Norwegian Pearl’s upcoming Greek Isles and Italy sailing departing on July 5, 2019, will be canceled,” the NCL said in a statement.

The announcement was met with outrage on social media, as several people had already flown out ahead of the scheduled cruise.

One person wrote on Twitter, NCL “you just canceled my honeymoon 2 DAYS before I was set to sail. And after who knows how long of waiting your sup. Rosa decided to hang up on my wife when asking if we can be put on a different cruise because ‘you dont have a plan in place yet’ FIGURE IT OUT NOW.”

Another asked, “what do I do ? I flew from Australia and now you canceled our cruise 2 days before – what do I do?”

Another person shared a photo of the cancellation letter.

Meanwhile, Traveller Assist issued a statement announcing they have “been placed on standby to assist travelers onboard the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship that is now stranded in Barcelona due to mechanical issues.” It added that there are “2,400 passengers onboard, most with onward flights booked from Rome on July 5.”

The NCL also issued a statement about the cancellations.

“We recognize the disappointment and inconvenience our guests have experienced as a result of this unforeseen situation and we offer our sincere apologies,” the NCL said in the statement.

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