A Royal Caribbean Cruise Is Calling at Canada, but Nobody Can Step Off

Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas, which carries about 2,050 guests, is skipping Bermuda on a five-night sailing from Baltimore that departed October 17. Instead, the ship will make an overnight call in Saint John, New Brunswick, from 6:30 p.m. on October 19 to 6:30 a.m. on October 20.

The catch is that guests cannot leave the ship in port, which makes the stop effectively a cruise to nowhere. Port restrictions also mean onboard venues such as the casino and shops are likely to be closed during the call. The cause is poor offshore weather on the route to Bermuda, with a National Weather Service storm warning forecasting winds up to 50 knots and swells up to 22 feet.

Royal Caribbean emailed guests late on Friday, October 16, the day before embarkation. As compensation, each stateroom receives non-refundable onboard credit: $75 for inside and outside cabins, $150 for balconies and $200 for suites, with $25 more for each guest beyond the first two. Any pre-booked Bermuda shore excursions are cancelled and refunded to onboard accounts.

Rough conditions could last until Wednesday, so further changes are possible. Travelers on autumn Bermuda and New England sailings should keep an eye on the cruise line’s app and email, since weather rerouting is common in hurricane season and notice can arrive with little warning before departure.

Sources: Cruise Hive