Stormy Weather Diverts Royal Caribbean Cruise From Bahamas to Nova Scotia
More than 5,000 passengers expected a week of sun in the Bahamas when they boarded Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas in New Jersey on Oct. 18, 2026. Instead, threatening weather off the East Coast forced the cruise line to change course with just half a day’s notice, sending the ship north to Halifax, Nova Scotia, nypost.com reported. The sudden shift left travelers scrambling to trade summer clothes for winter gear as daytime temperatures in Halifax hovered in the upper 40s to low 50s, with overnight lows dropping into the 30s, according to Fox News.
Scrambling for Winter Clothes on Short Notice
The abrupt itinerary change caught travelers off guard as they prepared for a tropical getaway that originally included stops in Florida and Port Canaveral. Actress Mikayla Iverson shared her frustration in an Instagram video filmed at Newark Airport after learning her family’s cruise was heading to Canada instead, noting they lacked proper clothing for the colder climate. Marie Durning of New Jersey told CTV News that she had only hours of notice before boarding, leaving her to pack a winter hat and earmuffs while forgetting her scarf. Her husband initially thought the rerouting was a joke, Durning said.
Divided Reactions Among Disappointed Passengers
Some travelers found themselves heading straight back to where they started. Nicholas Meli of Toronto drove seven hours with his family to New Jersey, only to be redirected to Canada. Meli told CTV News he was very disappointed because he is already from Canada and wanted to go to the Bahamas. Other passengers chose to make the best of the situation. Dwayne Hicks of Philadelphia told CTV News he instructed his family to air their frustrations before boarding so they could enjoy the trip, while Jim Matthews of New Jersey noted that Halifax proved to be a beautiful city despite the unexpected detour.
Compensation and Return Schedule for Stranded Cruisers
Royal Caribbean provided affected customers with cash and travel vouchers, alongside refunds for shore excursions, according to reports by Fox News and CTV News. The cruise line did not respond to a request for comment from nypost.com regarding the last-minute change. The Oasis of the Seas spent approximately 24 hours docked in Halifax, allowing passengers to explore the boardwalk, shop, and take harbor rides before departing Wednesday evening. The vessel is scheduled to spend three days at sea before returning to New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Nova Scotia Rerouting
Why did the Oasis of the Seas change its destination to Halifax?
Forecasts of stormy weather off the East Coast forced Royal Caribbean to alter the itinerary of the Oasis of the Seas to ensure a safe journey, abandoning the planned Florida and Bahamas stops.
What compensation did Royal Caribbean provide to the passengers?
Passengers received cash and travel vouchers to make up for the inconvenience, along with refunds for any pre-paid shore excursions.
How long did the ship stay in Halifax, Nova Scotia?
The Oasis of the Seas stopped in Halifax for about 24 hours, giving travelers time to visit the boardwalk and take harbor boat rides before departing Wednesday evening for three days at sea.
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