Travel continues to be affected by the winter storm on the East Coast. Thousands of flights and cruises have been impacted. Royal Caribbean continues to face disruptions. Among the recent complications was a power outage in Los Angeles, leaving thousands of guests waiting in the wind and cold during embarkation.
Royal Caribbean is now facing other complications, this time on the Odyssey of the Seas. The cruise is yet to sail a day later due to a winter storm on the East Coast.
Here’s the very latest on the ship’s status and how other passengers on the cruise are reacting to the delays. We’ll also take a look at the other cruise lines impacted by the East Coast winter storm.
Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey Of The Seas Is Yet To Depart From Bayonne, New Jersey Due To The East Coast Winter Storm
A blizzard warning remains in effect for New York, with 9 to 12 inches of snow expected, along with high wind gusts. The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning until 6 PM EST.
The troubling East Coast weather is leading airlines to adjust flights and cruise lines to make needed alterations.
Royal Caribbean adjusted the Odyssey of the Seas’ itinerary. According to Cruise Mapper, the ship was set to depart on February 22 at 3:00 PM EST from Cape Liberty Bayonne, New Jersey.
However, a day after the most recent update from Cruise Mapper, the ship still hasn’t departed.
“The current location of Odyssey Of The Seas is in US East Coast cruising en route to USBAY. The AIS position was last reported 4 minutes ago.”
The ship was set to visit Port Canaveral, Coco Cay and Nassau before arriving back at Cape Liberty Bayonne on March 1.
Itinerary changes are expected. However, Royal Caribbean still hasn’t issued a statement regarding the expected changes.
Royal Caribbean’s Star Of The Seas Is Also Experiencing Weather-Related Adjustments
Along with the Odyssey of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas has also changed its itinerary. Guests will no longer be able to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay due to weather concerns.
Royal Caribbean said in an email to guests, “Due to a weather system expected to bring unfavourable conditions and rough seas to Perfect Day at CocoCay on Monday, February 23, we will be skipping our visit and enjoying a Sea Day instead.”
With the change, guests will have extra time to explore Charlotte Amalie, arriving at the destination more than four hours ahead of schedule.
How Guests On Board The Odyssey Of The Seas Have Reacted To The Delays
Online, guests on the Odyssey of the Seas have expressed concerns over the current weather situation.
One person wrote on Reddit, “Anyone ever had a cruise departure delayed due to weather? We’re due to sail out of NJ tomorrow on the Odyssey and just heard from RC that we won’t be leaving at the original 2pm departure time, that we’ll likely be docked overnight, meaning we wouldn’t leave til Monday morning. We’re due in port canaveral at 12pm Tuesday, then Nassau and Coco Cay on Wednesday and Thursday. Anyone experienced this and have any idea how the itinerary may change?”
Other cruisers chimed in, predicting that the departure may be pushed to Tuesday.
“The Noreaster is forming right off the coast and is going to be the biggest winter storm in like 10 years they are saying. You do not want to be sailing through that. The best case scenario is you depart late Monday afternoon/early evening, worst case you’ll leave first thing Tuesday morning. I’m sure all those who gamble onboard are going to be super grumpy,” a user online wrote.
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How Others Are Reacting To The Odyssey Of The Seas Delays: |
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-“Just looking at the Windy.com forecast, you likely wouldn’t depart Bayonne until around 10-11AM on Monday. It’s still going to be a bumpy ride on the way out and down the Atlantic. You will probably end up at Port Canaveral on Wed and an arrival to Nassau on Thurs, with a skip of Coco Cay. This could go the other way around with a skip to Nassau and going to Coco Cay on Thurs as there is an open slot. |
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-“Just got off Odyssey today and at the captains corner he said they currently only refuel at Bayonne, so likely fine to skip Canaveral if they have enough food etc.” |
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-“We are also on the 2/22 Odyssey sailing. I anticipate we will skip Port Canaveral all together. It looks like Odyssey is returning early from the 2/15 sailing and will most likely dock in Bayonne tonight vs the morning. My husband and I were on Adventure in October 2024 when Hurricane Milton hit Florida and ended up missing Coco Cay and went to Grand Turk instead. Our 6 day sailing became a 7 day sailing. RC did an excellent job handling the communication in that scenario so I have faith it will all work out.” |
Although there is some hope that the ship departs in the afternoon, it seems more likely that it departs Tuesday morning at this point.
Along with Royal Caribbean, other cruise lines have also adjusted their plans.
How The Other Major Cruise Lines Have Adjusted Itineraries Due To The East Coast Winter Storm
MSC and Norwegian Cruise Line are also dealing with similar issues. The MSC Meraviglia has delayed its departure for a 7-night Bahamas sailing set for February 22.
MSC has decided to push its visit to Port Canaveral and MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve to later in the schedule.
The Norwegian Breakaway did tough it out despite the rough weather for the sail from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The ship departed for a 12-night Caribbean sailing.
Further adjustments may be made as the cruise adjusts its route due to weather.
