Nicko Cruises is cancelling a cruise onboard the Vasco da Gama on short notice to make room for an unscheduled shipyard visit.

Local sources report that the 1993-built ship is currently facing a technical issue that also led to the shortening of its 2025-26 world cruise.

The cancelled cruise was scheduled to depart from Hamburg on May 1, 2026, according to Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten.

In a statement sent to booked guests, the company said that the ship is now set to enter drydock in Portugal and will be unable to reach the German port in time for the sailing.

“We ask for your understanding that your booked cruise cannot take place and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” the company added.

Nicko said that it will assist passengers by offering support and helping to find alternatives for the cancelled cruise.

Sailing roundtrip from Hamburg, the Vasco da Gama was scheduled to offer a nine-night cruise to Scandinavia.

Destinations set to be visited included Gothenburg in Sweden, as well as Oslo, Kristiansand, and Mandal in Norway and Skagen in Denmark.

The sailing was also highlighted by special onboard programming focused on culinary experiences that featured celebrity chef Johann Lafer.

Nicko is also shortening the vessel’s world cruise to allow for the drydock visit, which is expected to take place at the Lisnave Shipyard in Setúbal.

Initially set to end at the port of Hamburg on May 1, 2026, the voyage will now end in Lisbon on April 25, 2026.

After detecting the technical issue earlier this month, Nicko had already cancelled the final leg of the 175-night journey for guests who were not sailing the full world cruise.

According to Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten, the ship is facing a propulsion system issue that is causing it to sail at reduced speeds.