Royal Caribbean has cancelled three scheduled Bahamas port calls on the October 18-25, 2026, seven-night sailing of Oasis of the Seas, rerouting the ship to Halifax, Nova Scotia instead. Originally planned stops at Port Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau were omitted. The 362-meter ship, with a capacity of 5,734 passengers, arrived in Halifax at 6:00pm on October 20 and departed at 8:00am on October 21, allowing about 14 hours in port.
Storm Conditions Prompt Itinerary Change
The itinerary alteration was caused by a developing East Coast nor’easter and an Atlantic storm system creating unsafe navigation conditions along the intended route. The severe weather
made approach to shallow-draft ports like Perfect Day at CocoCay unfeasible since tender operations cannot function in large swells. Port Canaveral and Nassau remain accessible but sea conditions produced by the storm posed significant risks to a safe call. Royal Caribbean exercised its contractual right to alter or omit ports for the safety of passengers and vessel operations.
Passenger Compensation Details
Passengers affected by the cancellations received refundable onboard credit (OBC) ranging from $100 to $600 per person based on stateroom category: $200 per guest for interior or ocean-view, $300 for balcony cabins, and $600 for suites. Additional guests beyond the second in
any cabin received $100 each. In addition, a future cruise credit (FCC) equal to 50% of the paid cruise fare is to be issued to all fare-paying passengers by November 1, 2026. Shore excursions prebooked through Royal Caribbean for the cancelled Bahamas ports are refunded as onboard credit, while independent third-party excursion bookings are not reimbursed by the cruise line.
Traveler Impacts and Advice
Passengers expecting warmer Bahamas weather must adjust for Halifax’s cooler temperatures near 12°C (54°F) in late October, requiring warmer clothing such as jackets and sweaters. The limited 14-hour port call, from evening until early morning, offers restricted sightseeing options including
waterfront dining and short local tours. Travelers are advised to carry passports—especially non-U.S. citizens who may need Canadian visas or electronic travel authorizations to disembark. Royal Caribbean has recommended all passengers have valid passports due to this unexpected Canadian port call.
Royal Caribbean’s Official Stance and Legal Framework
Royal Caribbean stated the itinerary adjustment was necessary for safe and comfortable navigation amidst deteriorating weather conditions. The cruise contract, agreed to by passengers upon purchase, grants the company broad authority to change or omit ports for safety and operational reasons without offering full refunds. Maritime law provides fewer passenger protections than aviation regulations. A full refund would only
apply if the cruise was cancelled entirely; port substitutions, as in this case, do not constitute a cancellation.
Recent Industry Routing Changes
This routing change follows a similar alteration for Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas, which was rerouted from its scheduled Bermuda itinerary departing Baltimore on October 17, 2026, to Saint John, New Brunswick due to related weather concerns. Such autumn-season disruptions reflect the challenges cruise operators face navigating Atlantic storm systems along the U.S. East Coast.
