October 18, 2026 — Royal Caribbean International has scrapped Florida and the Bahamas from this week’s Oasis of the Seas cruise out of Cape Liberty, New Jersey, and is sending the ship north to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to stay clear of a storm developing off the U.S. East Coast. Guests were told by email the day before the ship sailed.
What changed
The 7-night sailing still departs Cape Liberty (Bayonne, N.J.) on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and still returns at 6 a.m. on Sunday, October 25. Everything in between is different.
| Date | Original plan | New plan |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Oct 18 | Depart Cape Liberty 3 p.m. | Depart Cape Liberty (unchanged) |
| Mon Oct 19 | Sea day | Sea day |
| Tue Oct 20 | Port Canaveral, Fla., 12:30–8:30 p.m. | Halifax, N.S., arrive 6 p.m. (overnight) |
| Wed Oct 21 | Perfect Day at CocoCay, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. | Depart Halifax 8 a.m. |
| Thu Oct 22 | Nassau, Bahamas, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | Sea day |
| Fri–Sat Oct 23–24 | Sea days | Sea days |
| Sun Oct 25 | Return Cape Liberty 6 a.m. | Return Cape Liberty 6 a.m. (unchanged) |
That leaves one port call of about 14 hours, most of it overnight, and five sea days. Royal Caribbean Blog reports guests were advised to pack light sweaters, with Halifax daytime highs expected in the mid-50s°F.
Why
The line’s meteorology team has been tracking a nor’easter forecast to form off the Carolinas and hang around for much of the week. Royal Caribbean told guests the weather made a “safe and comfortable journey to Florida and the Bahamas” difficult. The storm is expected to be weaker than the late-September nor’easter, but its duration could make coastal effects worse.
Compensation
Royal Caribbean is giving refundable onboard credit (unused amounts go back to the card on the onboard account):
| Stateroom | 1st and 2nd guests (each) | 3rd and additional guests (each) |
|---|---|---|
| Inside / Outside | $200 | $100 |
| Balcony / Neighborhood Balcony | $300 | $100 |
| Suites | $600 | $100 |
- On top of that, each paid guest gets a 50% Future Cruise Credit, which Royal Caribbean says should arrive by November 1, 2026.
- Royal Caribbean shore excursions booked for Port Canaveral, CocoCay or Nassau are refunded as onboard credit. Excursions booked with outside operators fall under those operators’ own cancellation terms.
- The itinerary-change letter can be used as documentation for travel insurance claims.
Documents: a surprise Canada call
A Bahamas cruise has become a Canada cruise. Royal Caribbean strongly recommends a passport book or card valid for at least six months after the cruise ends; a U.S. birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID is also accepted. Guests whose nationality requires a visa for Canada may not be able to sail and were told to check the travel requirements linked in the letter.
Also: the former Majesty of the Seas is for sale
Separately, Cruise Hive reports that the 1992-built former Royal Caribbean ship Majesty of the Seas has been listed on Yachtworld for $40 million. Greek ferry operator Seajets bought her in December 2020; the listing does not name the seller. The 73,941-ton ship carries up to 2,767 passengers. Her Sovereign-class sisters were scrapped in Turkey in 2020, and Cruise Hive says she is likely headed the same way if no buyer appears. No sale has been reported.
What it means for travelers
- Return flights are unaffected on paper. Oasis is still due back at Cape Liberty at 6 a.m. on October 25. The closest major airport is Newark Liberty (EWR), with JFK and LaGuardia also in reach.
- Watch the weather on the way home. The same nor’easter is forecast to linger for much of the week. If you are flying out of the New York area on October 25, check your flight status before you leave and have a backup flight in mind in case storm cancellations fill the seats.
- Booked on a later Northeast sailing? Royal Caribbean is rerouting rather than cancelling, so expect to sail on the scheduled date. Plan to arrive the day before.
- Check your ID now if you are on board or about to sail on a changed itinerary. A birth certificate works for this cruise, but a passport is recommended. Non-U.S. citizens should confirm whether they need a visa or other entry document for Canada.
- Use the letter. If you had a pre-cruise or post-cruise booking tied to Florida stops, the itinerary-change letter can back up an insurance claim.
Sources
- Royal Caribbean Blog — Royal Caribbean diverts cruise ship to Canada due to East Coast storm
- Cruise Hive — Royal Caribbean’s Former Majesty of the Seas Listed for $40 Million
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