Key Aspects:
- Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas has had a second itinerary change related to Humberto and Imelda, both of which are currently Category 1 hurricanes.
- After replacing the original Bahamas itinerary with a cruise to Canada, Sydney, Nova Scotia, has now been removed from the schedule due to a pier reassignment and unsafe weather conditions.
- Only one port of call remains on the previously port-filled itinerary, which is on Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 3.
Thanks to Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas is essentially operating a cruise to (almost) nowhere.
When the Oasis-class ship embarked in Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on September 28, 2025, she was supposed to be setting sail on a 7-night voyage to Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island.
But with the twin storms heading for the Bahamas, the cruise line decided it was better to sail in the opposite direction.
Thus, the original Bahamas itinerary was replaced with an overnight call in Sydney, Nova Scotia (September 30 to October 1) and a call to Halifax, Nova Scotia (October 3).
But due to a pier mix-up and the duel hurricanes bringing dangerous maritime conditions to the US East Coast and Canada’s East Coast, the call to Sydney will now also have to be cancelled.
“As previously announced by our Captain, during the itinerary planning for this cruise we secured approval to dock at a pier in Sydney, Nova Scotia,” Royal Caribbean wrote to the up to 5,518-guests onboard.
“However, after further coordination with the pilots who guide ships into port, the Port of Sydney reassigned our ship to a different pier that our marine experts and safety team deemed unsafe for a ship of this class,” the letter continued.
At 1,184 feet long and 228,081 gross tons, Symphony of the Seas would have been the largest cruise ship to ever dock in Sydney.
As winds and big swells can already make docking unsafe, the change in pier assignments may have simply been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
“Our teams have explored every available option, including working closely with our industry partners, to find a safe and viable alternative,” Royal Caribbean stated.
“With your vacation experience and safety in mind, none of the options met the standards to ensure your safety and comfort while onboard with us,” the cruise line explained.
The only port call remaining on the itinerary now is Halifax, dropping from three cruise ports to just one.
Compensation Increased
Although Royal Caribbean cannot control the weather, the cruise line already compensated guests for the last-minute change the first time the itinerary was altered as a gesture of goodwill.
Guests were provided with non-refundable onboard credits based on their stateroom category at a double occupancy rate, as well as a future cruise credit in the amount of one day’s worth of the cruise fare.
Inside cabins received a $75 credit, outside and balcony staterooms received a $100 credit, and suites got a $200 credit.
An additional $25 per person was added to the credit for the 3rd or more guests staying in the cruise cabin.
Symphony of the Seas Departing Cape Liberty (Photo Credit: ARK NEYMAN)
In light of the second itinerary change, the future cruise credit will now be improved to be worth two days of the cruise fare that guests paid instead of just one.
Additionally, any Royal Caribbean excursions booked for all of the cancelled ports of call – now including Sydney – will be automatically cancelled and refunded as onboard credits.
At the end of the sailing, any unused onboard credits from the reimbursed tours will be refunded to the original form of payment.
Read Also: Cruising During Hurricane Season: What You Must Know!
And personally, I wouldn’t need any compensation to be grateful to the cruise line for keeping me and all onboard safe and comfortable.
Hurricane Humberto has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm (from a Category 4) by the National Hurricane Center (NOAA) as of the evening of September 30, but is still dangerous with winds reaching 80 miles per hour.
Meanwhile, Imelda has been upgraded from a tropical storm to a full fledged Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds reaching 85 miles per hour.
Both storms will produce dangerous marine conditions and potentially lethal rip currents along the US East Coast and parts of Canada’s East Coast over the next several days.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
