Passengers aboard MSC Meraviglia reported a significant delay on November 9, 2025, when the ship’s scheduled 3 p.m. departure from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal was held for several hours due to a mechanical problem with the main propulsion system. Multiple guests posting to r/MSCCruises said the ship remained alongside into the evening, with one passenger noting at 9 p.m. that the vessel had not moved and that bar purchases were being taxed in New York while they waited. Later updates in the thread indicate the ship eventually got underway that night.
What happened
According to the original poster and others on board, the crew communicated that the issue involved the ship’s main propulsion. While everything was normal on the previous cruise from Brooklyn, the Meraviglia did spend time in Maine addressing a similar propulsion issue. One guest update said an announcement came over that the ship was underway, while another relayed a staff comment about potentially needing to wait for Coast Guard and tug escorts. Shortly after, the OP posted that the ship was moving.
What this could mean for passengers
Compensation policies can vary by sailing and cause. In the thread, cruisers cited past delays where they received onboard credit. Examples included reports of $100 per person or $200 per cabin, plus approximately $48 to $48.50 per person credited for missed port fees on itineraries that skipped Port Canaveral and Nassau. As always, refunds for missed ship-run excursions are standard when the line cancels the tour. For anything booked independently, travel insurance may help if the policy includes trip delay or missed connection coverage and the required delay threshold is met.
Reliability concerns and perspective
A few posters expressed frustration and suggested the ship has had recurring issues. Others who sailed recently reported no problems and praised the crew. The overall tone in the thread balanced disappointment about potential missed time ashore with a go-with-the-flow attitude, with several guests noting they were still enjoying their vacation and appreciated the staff.
Bottom line for cruisers
Meraviglia’s November 9 departure from New York was delayed for several hours due to a propulsion issue, then the ship got underway later that evening. If your sailing experiences a similar delay, keep an eye on official updates from the captain, document any missed ship-run excursions for automatic refunds, and ask Guest Services about possible goodwill credits and how taxes are applied on bar purchases while in port. If you booked independent tours, check your travel insurance for delay coverage.
