Royal Caribbean has cancelled three scheduled Bahamas port calls for the Oasis of the Seas during its seven-night cruise from October 18 to 25, 2026. The 362-meter ship carrying 5,734 passengers will no longer visit Port Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay, or Nassau. Instead, it will dock overnight in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 6:00pm on October 20 to 8:00am on October 21, 2026. The seven-night cruise will still depart from and return to Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey on the original dates.
Compensation Offered to Passengers
Royal Caribbean is providing refundable onboard credit (OBC) and a future cruise credit (FCC) to passengers affected
by the itinerary changes. OBC amounts vary by cabin category: $200 per person for interior and ocean-view cabins, $300 per person for balcony cabins, and $600 per person for suites. Additional guests receive $100 each. Families or groups can combine credits; for example, a family of four in balcony cabins would receive $800 total in refundable OBC. The FCC equals 50% of the passenger’s paid cruise fare and will be issued by November 1, 2026. Shore excursions originally booked through Royal Caribbean for the cancelled Bahamas stops will be refunded automatically as onboard credit. Independent excursions booked outside Royal Caribbean’s
program are not eligible for refunds through the cruise line.
Weather-Related Itinerary Change and Operational Challenges
The itinerary adjustment results from a developing East Coast nor’easter and an Atlantic storm system threatening the safety and operational feasibility of the original route. Perfect Day at CocoCay is a tender-dependent island destination unsuitable for approach amid rough seas and swell during this weather, while Port Canaveral and Nassau present unsafe riding and pier conditions. The nor’easter’s impact on sea state and port access led Royal Caribbean’s meteorological team to reroute the Oasis of the Seas to Halifax, which offers a safer port call. The contract governing the cruise
tickets authorizes Royal Caribbean to modify itineraries for weather and operational reasons without refunding the cruise fare.
Passenger Impact and Travel Requirements
Passengers expecting warm Caribbean weather will face cooler temperatures averaging 12°C (mid-50°F) in Halifax. Royal Caribbean advises packing warmer clothing and offers additional jackets and sweatshirts for sale onboard. The approximately 14-hour stop is primarily overnight. All passengers must carry passports due to Canadian entry requirements. Shore excursions in Halifax, including visits to Alexander Keith’s Brewery and the Historic Properties waterfront, will be available. Passengers with independently booked Bahamas excursions will need to seek reimbursement directly from the third-party providers or through travel
insurance.
Related Cruise Itinerary Changes and Legal Context
Another Royal Caribbean sail, Vision of the Seas, experienced a similar itinerary change due to the same Atlantic storm system, rerouted from Bermuda to Saint John, New Brunswick on October 17, 2026. Cruise contracts under maritime law allow itinerary modifications without fare refunds for safety or weather reasons, differing from airline regulations that mandate refunds. Full refunds apply only if the cruise itself is cancelled, not for port substitutions. Passengers concerned about compensation should contact Royal Caribbean directly. Future cruise credits and onboard credits offer partial financial redress for the disruption.
