Shipyard Drama for MS Vasco da Gama: Nicko Cruises Forced to Cancel More Sailings

The reason for the extended drydock stay lies deep within the engine room of the 33-year-old vessel. All five onboard generators require a complete overhaul. Because no standardized spare parts are available on the global market for this vintage machinery, every single component must be custom-engineered and cast from scratch. This technical issue marks the peak of a run of bad luck: back in April, the ship's world cruise had to be cut short in Lisbon due to a defect in the starboard controllable pitch propeller. Following seemingly successful repairs, a new, unrelated engine failure occurred in the English Channel, forcing the ship back into drydock.

For passengers of the canceled Iceland and Norway cruise, Nicko Cruises has introduced several options. Affected guests can rebook to a similar itinerary in July or choose any other river or ocean cruise of the 2026/2027 season – both options come with a 10% goodwill discount. Alternatively, a full refund of the cruise fare within the statutory 14-day window is available. Additionally, independently booked travel cancellation fees for transit to and from Kiel will be reviewed and reimbursed upon submission of receipts.

Financially, the cancellations hit the operator and its parent company, Mystic Holding, incredibly hard, especially since technical defects of this nature are generally not insurable. The cancellation of the exclusive "Spartacus Gay Cruise" (June 9–14) is particularly painful. Beyond losing the charter revenues, Nicko Cruises faces potential compensation claims from the charter partner mCruise, which had already invested heavily in marketing and artist bookings. Furthermore, the ongoing delays block valuable shipyard capacity, driving up daily docking fees.

From a travel law perspective, technical breakdowns do not qualify as "force majeure." Since the cancellations were issued on very short notice, experts state that passengers may be entitled to compensation for wasted vacation time in addition to a full refund. The drama surrounding the Vasco da Gama highlights the structural dilemma of classic cruise ships: while highly popular with loyal guests due to their traditional charm, sourcing custom spare parts for aging vessels increasingly turns into an unpredictable operational risk.