Key Aspects:
- Multiple cruise ships are now impacted by severe winter weather with delays and itinerary changes.
- Norwegian Breakaway still managed to depart while two other ships remained in the New York area.
- Star of the Seas is also impacted by rough weather heading into the Bahamas.
It’s been rough sailing for multiple cruise ships from different homeports and different cruise lines this weekend as stormy weather has caused departure delays and itinerary changes. According to the National Weather Service, the major storm is expected to bring 12-24 inches of snow to the region, with strong winds gusting from 40-70 miles per hour impacting visibility.
Numerous power outages and moderate coastal flooding are also expected with the storm, which is bringing significant impacts to multiple cruise homeports in New York and New Jersey, while a southern storm also impacts the Bahamas.
Impacted ships include Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas, along with MSC Meraviglia and Norwegian Breakaway.
Cruise Hive has previously reported on the impact different winter storms have had on multiple ships. All guests should stay in close contact with their respective cruise lines for updates on any itinerary changes, delays, or cancellations.
Odyssey of the Seas
With a “bomb cyclone” storm impacting the New York and New Jersey area on Sunday and through Monday, Royal Caribbean made the decision the day before embarkation that it would not be possible for Odyssey of the Seas to depart Bayonne, New Jersey on Sunday, February 22, 2026 as originally scheduled.
Instead, the Quantum-Ultra Class ship and her up to 5,510 guests will remain in New Jersey until the weather clears enough for a safe departure. Odyssey of the Seas was to have called at Port Canaveral, Cococay, and Nassau during the 7-night cruise, but it is likely that one or more of the port visits may be adjusted or cancelled due to the late departure.
As the ship has not yet departed New Jersey, no itinerary changes have yet been finalized.
MSC Meraviglia
Just across the harbor from Odyssey of the Seas, MSC Meraviglia is impacted by the same blizzard warnings and is likewise remaining docked in Brooklyn, New York, and is delayed setting sail for her 7-night Bahamas sailing on Sunday, February 22.
The ship was to have set sail for Port Canaveral, MSC Ocean Cay, and Nassau. Guests onboard for the sailing have already noted updates in the app showing a different schedule, with MSC Meraviglia bumping her visits to Port Canaveral and MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve to later days in the itinerary.
It appears that the ship will skip her visit to Nassau altogether.
The 171,600-gross-ton ship can welcome up to a maximum of 5,642 guests onboard, and while they will not be getting the exact cruise they had hoped for, they can still have an enjoyable, if adjusted, vacation.
Norwegian Breakway
In an interesting twist, Norwegian Breakaway did brave the rough weather to set sail as planned from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on Sunday, February 22, for her 12-night Caribbean sailing.
The seas are rocking as Norwegian Breakaway heads into winds as high as 30-40 miles per hour on her southbound route, though it is possible the 145,655-gross-ton ship will adjust her route to stay out of the roughest weather.
Read Also: What to Do Onboard a Cruise Ship in Bad Weather
It is possible there may be port adjustments for Norwegian Breakaway if the ship must divert closer to the coast or slow her speed to contend with the rough seas. The current schedule calls for visits to Puerto Plata, San Juan, Tortola, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas before the ship returns to the Big Apple on Friday, March 6.
At this time, there are no confirmed changes for Norwegian Breakaway, though her successful departure from New York while both Odyssey of the Seas and MSC Meraviglia wait out the storm has certainly been confusing to cruise guests onboard all three ships.
Star of the Seas
While all eyes are on the blizzard conditions rolling across the northeast and impacting multiple cruise ships, poor weather can occur anywhere, at any time.
Guests departing Port Canaveral on Sunday aboard Star of the Seas for their weeklong Eastern Caribbean sailing have learned they won’t be able to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay after all.
“Due to a weather system expected to bring unfavorable 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,” the notification email confirmed.
To make up for the loss of a port, the time the ship will spend in St. Thomas on Wednesday, February 25, is being extended. Instead of arriving in Charlotte Amalie at 12:30 p.m., Star of the Seas will arrive at 8 a.m., giving guests plenty of extra time to explore that beautiful destination more thoroughly.
Meanwhile, all onboard activities and entertainment will proceed as planned on Star of the Seas, and as one of the world’s largest cruise ships, there is certainly plenty for guests to enjoy during their unexpected day at sea.
All pre-booked Royal Caribbean shore tours for CocoCay will be automatically cancelled and refunded to guests’ accounts.
