A powerful winter storm has continued to disrupt cruise operations along the US east coast, with several ships from different lines facing delayed departures and altered itineraries.
According to the National Weather Service, the system has brought blizzard conditions to parts of New York and New Jersey, with between 12 and 24 inches of snow forecast and wind gusts reaching 40 to 70 miles per hour.
The storm has also caused widespread power outages and moderate coastal flooding, directly impacting major cruise homeports in the region. At the same time, a separate weather system in the southern Bahamas has created rough sea conditions, affecting sailings further south.
Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas and Star of the Seas, MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway have all been caught up in the disruption.
New York Departures Delayed By Blizzard Conditions
Royal Caribbean International confirmed over the weekend that Odyssey of the Seas would not depart from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey on Sunday 22nd February as originally planned. The decision was made the day before embarkation as the so called bomb cyclone intensified across the north east.
The Quantum Ultra Class ship, which can carry up to 5,510 guests, remained in New Jersey while waiting for conditions to improve sufficiently for a safe departure. It was able to depart the following day.
Guests onboard have shared that they’ve been making the most of it, with several balcony snowmen pictures circulating online!
Across the harbour in Brooklyn, MSC Meraviglia has faced similar challenges. The 171,600 gross ton vessel was also due to sail on Sunday 22nd February for a seven night Bahamas cruise to Port Canaveral, MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve and Nassau.
Guests onboard have reported schedule updates via the MSC for Me app indicating that calls to Port Canaveral and Ocean Cay have been moved to later in the voyage. Nassau now appears to have been removed from the itinerary altogether, though MSC Cruises has yet to publish a formal confirmation of the revised schedule.
In contrast, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway did depart Manhattan Cruise Terminal as scheduled on Sunday 22nd February, embarking on her 12 night Caribbean cruise despite challenging conditions.
The 145,655 gross ton ship has been navigating winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour on her southbound route. While there have been no confirmed itinerary changes, the line may still adjust course or speed to avoid the worst of the weather. The current schedule includes calls at Puerto Plata, San Juan, Tortola, St Kitts, St Maarten and St Thomas, before returning to New York on Friday 6th March.
The differing operational decisions between the three ships sailing from New York and New Jersey have prompted confusion among some guests, particularly as two vessels remained alongside while one set sail.
Bahamas Weather Forces CocoCay Cancellation
Further south, Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas has also experienced itinerary changes, though for a different reason.
The ship departed Port Canaveral on Sunday 22nd February for a seven night Eastern Caribbean sailing. However, guests were informed that the call to Perfect Day at CocoCay scheduled for Monday 23rd February would be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions in the Bahamas.
“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 compensate for the missed private island visit, Royal Caribbean has extended the ship’s time in St Thomas. Instead of arriving in Charlotte Amalie at 12.30pm on Wednesday 25th February, Star of the Seas arrived at 8am, giving passengers significantly more time ashore.
Weather related disruptions are not uncommon during the winter months, particularly along the US east coast. Cruise lines typically prioritise safety when making decisions about delayed departures and port cancellations, even if it results in last minute changes for guests.
Travellers sailing in affected regions are being advised to monitor official communications closely for the latest updates.
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