Major Itinerary Changes For Norwegian Pearl’s 2026 Summer Cruises In Greece, Italy, And Montenegro

Norwegian Cruise Line has recently updated their summer 2026 schedule and is impacting two sailings for the Norwegian Pearl. As announced in early February, the changes are part of the cruise line’s continual efforts to adjust for the shifting port availability while maintaining smooth and memorable experiences for guests.
Two affected itineraries involve 2026 departures from Piraeus, Greece, to Ravenna, Italy, on May 10 and June 21. Changes result in the removal of several planned port calls, shifts in several locations’ arrival and departure times, and minor changes to the overall journey. After all, Norwegian Cruise Line stated that the most important outcome of the journey is to capture the travelers’ spirit while reimagining their experiences.
Revised Itinerary Detail: Departure on May 10, 2026
A major change to the May 10 departure has resulted in an adjustment to the planned seven-night cruise from Piraeus, Greece, which is now scheduled to include Mykonos, Greece, instead of Santorini. This recently updated port plan, which Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed with guests, is due to availability changes.
The updated plans for the trip include visiting more destinations in the Mediterranean. The travelers will be allotted more time in Kotor, Montenegro, and the ship will be docking at Katakolon and Corfu in Greece. Additional stops will be in Split, Croatia, and Koper, Slovenia, making the port visits very diverse.
Kotor and Santorini have switched locations, which may displease some travelers, as Santorini has the famous Caldera views, though this does allow for more travelers to appreciate the beautiful and charming Mykonos and its white buildings, along with its exquisite and expansive beach stretches. This also adds more time for the guests to appreciate the beautiful and historically rich (with medieval era structures) Bay of Kotor, which is considered to be one of the World Heritage sites of UNESCO, and lis ocated in Montenegro.
Changes to June 21, 2026, Departure
Changes have also been made to the Norwegian Cruise Line June 21, 2026, sailing from Piraeus to Ravenna, Italy. Similar to the itinerary from May, June’s itinerary has also been revised, and for this reason, there will be a stop in Split instead of Zadar. This means that guests on this sailing will get the opportunity to appreciate the ancient city of Split, which is renowned for the preservation of its Roman remains, which includes the Diocletian’s Palace, as well as the rich history and all that it has to offer.
The changes to the itinerary also mean that guests will have the same half-hour extension to visit Kotor, Montenegro, meaning that the coastal town will have extended time to be explored and appreciated as the beauty of it deserves. There is still a scheduled stop for Santorini, Katakolon, Corfu, and Koper, meaning that there are still a lot of the original journey’s itinerary highlights that have been preserved.
While the visit to Zadar may have brought a lot of value to this journey, the visit to Split means that, for this journey, there will be a lot of value added in terms of the culture and history of the country. Split is a very rich city in terms of history, and is also one of the major cities on the Dalmatian Coast.
Norwegian Cruise Line Changes to Itinerary
Norwegian Cruise Line said that these changes were a result of new port availability, which can shift even with coordination and planning with the port authorities. The company accepted that being impacted by changes like these is normal in the cruise industry, and while it may be inconvenient for many customers, it is a goal of Norwegian to make these changes positive in some way for the customers traveling.
The cruise line also stated that even with the best of efforts to secure port availability, there may be unforeseen issues that arise, which prevent that port from being available. If that happens, changes to the schedule may be necessary, provided that the cruise will still be first-class. Norwegian Cruise Line also stated that customers who pre-purchased shore excursions that were impacted by the changes will receive a full refund, which will be processed to the original form of payment.
Adventure Awaits with Different Ports
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced their itinerary changes with the reassurance that the changes provide new and thrilling opportunities for their guests in the Mediterranean region. Instead of Santorini, NCL is adding Mykonos, a well-known island in Greece with famous charms, beautiful waters, and a bustling nightlife! Increasing time in the stunning region of Kotor, Montenegro, will allow guests to explore more than ever.
NCL is adding the new port of Split in place of Zadar, increasing the cultural experience for travelers. With the ability to stay in more ports in Greece, Slovenia, and Croatia, the trip is ideal for anyone wanting to see the Mediterranean.
Conclusion: Cruise Travel is Flexible
NCL’s decision to alter the itinerary of the Norwegian Pearl demonstrates that cruising is a flexible industry with many changes. Even though these changes can be frustrating for guests, the company has more than compensated guests for lost shore excursions and has created opportunities for additional adventures for those who booked their travel plans to these ports. Some of the most iconic places in Europe will soon be easier to cruise to, and while some guests may need to have new expectations set, they will still have a chance to enjoy Europe in a new way. New, revised cruises on the Norwegian Pearl will be stopping at three new destinations, including Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as you embark on new explorations!
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