Key Aspects:
- Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas has been stuck in Cape Liberty, New Jersey, due to a strong coastal storm.
- After days of waiting, the cruise line has confirmed that the Oasis-class ship will finally set sail on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. EST.
- Unfortunately, the mega-ship will only be able to call on Perfect Day at CocoCay because of the delay – taking the itinerary from three port calls down to just one.
After what has surely been a frustrating start to the current cruise, passengers onboard Symphony of the Seas finally have some answers.
The Oasis-class vessel embarked on a 7-night Bahamas voyage in Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on October 12, 2025.
But due to a powerful nor’easter that has been wreaking havoc along the US East Coast, the Royal Caribbean ship has been stuck in the cruise port.
The Port of New York and New Jersey is expected to remain temporarily closed through the morning of Tuesday, October 14, when the worst of the stormy weather should have run its course.
This means that the 2018-launched ship will spend a second additional night in the cruise port, instead of just one.
“We have been monitoring a low-pressure system off the east coast of the US which impacted the Port of Cape Liberty this weekend,” Royal Caribbean wrote in a letter to current guests on October 13.
“Unfortunately, even with our best efforts and constant communications with the port pilots, the Port of Cape Liberty will remain closed today, so we will be staying alongside until 11:00 AM tomorrow,” the update states.
Obviously, this news makes the scheduled port call in Port Canaveral, Florida, on October 14 impossible.
Relatedly, the subsequent visit to Nassau, Bahamas, on October 15 has also been cancelled.
“Our new departure time means we’ll have to skip our visits to Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas and we’ll arrive mid-morning on Thursday to Perfect Day at CocoCay,” the cruise line confirmed.
Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, was already on the itinerary for Thursday, October 16.
However, the 5,518-guest ship is now expected to arrive at 11:30 a.m. EDT instead of 7 a.m. EDT, as was initially planned.
Compensation Offered
The powerful nor’easter that has brought strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding to much of the East Coast is expected to release its grip and start moving east over the Atlantic Ocean by the afternoon of Tuesday, October 14.
However, the East Coast will continue to feel the effects of the coastal storm through Tuesday.
It’s no secret that the cruise lines are able to make sudden itinerary changes without providing compensation, especially for safety reasons.
However, Royal Caribbean has offered some compensation as a goodwill gesture, especially since the itinerary has gone from including three ports to just one.
Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas in New York (Photo Credit: ARK NEYMAN)
Read Also: What You Should Know About Cruise Port Cancellations
First, all guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit for the total value of two days’ worth of their cruise fare, which can be put toward a future sailing that will ideally have much better weather.
This discount is meant to reflect the two days that the 228-081-gross ton vessel was stuck in port.
Additionally, a la carte drink prices onboard have been slashed by 50% for October 13, and those who purchased a Deluxe Beverage Package will receive a $35 non-refundable onboard credit.
And as always, any Royal Caribbean shore excursions that were purchased for Port Canaveral and Nassau will automatically be cancelled and refunded.
The funds will first be returned as an onboard credit, and any remaining amounts at the end of the voyage will be refunded to the credit card on file within 14 business days after disembarkation.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
