The Barefoot Brief: October 24, 2025
Norwegian Cruise Line Passenger Goes Overboard on Norwegian Jewel — Search Called Off
In a somber moment at sea, a passenger aboard the Norwegian Jewel went overboard on October 20 while the ship sailed from Ponta Delgada (Azores) toward Miami. A search and rescue operation involving several vessels was conducted, but the individual was not found and the ship has since continued on its voyage.
Our condolences are with the family and loved ones of the missing passenger. This kind of tragedy reminds us how unforgiving the ocean can be — even when you’re “on vacation.”
Norwegian Cruise Line Faces Backlash After Multiple Last‑Minute Itinerary Swaps
If you booked what you thought was a Bahamas getaway and instead got Dominican Republic surprise, welcome to the world of last‑minute itinerary swaps. Norwegian Cruise Line has quietly replaced ports like Nassau, Bimini and its private island Great Stirrup Cay on several upcoming sailings with calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Customers say the change came with little notice, after final payments, and left many feeling the “vacation” they signed up for got swapped for something else entirely.
The cruise line says it’s about “diversifying” and “strengthening partnerships” with destinations — translation: “Hey, thanks for booking, now go somewhere else we decided on.” Sharp practice or strategic repositioning? You decide.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander Alters Course to Avoid Tropical Storm Melissa — Ports Changed
Mother Nature made an uninvited cameo this week. In its voyage through the Western Caribbean, Margaritaville at Sea Islander was rerouted to avoid Tropical Storm Melissa — swapping planned stops in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and George Town, Grand Cayman for Belize City and Roatán, Honduras. Shore excursions for the cancelled ports were refunded, but some guests still feeling the sting of “why‑didn’t‑they‑tell‑us‐sooner.”
On the bright side: better safe than sitting in 50 mph winds on deck hoping the beach still works. On the not‑so‑bright side: fewer cocktails with ocean views at the original port.
That’s your cruise news for the week — from tragic overboards to surprise port swaps to storm‑dodging reroutes.
Anchors down till next week,
— Barefoot and Booked
