A Bermuda Cruise Became a Canadian Stopover With Two Days’ Notice

Royal Caribbean passengers on several East Coast sailings have seen itineraries rewritten at short notice. Independence of the Seas, departing Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on October 24, swapped its Bermuda call for an overnight stop in Saint John, New Brunswick. Guests were told on the evening of October 22, less than two days before departure.

The stated cause is weather. A National Weather Service gale warning forecast strong winds and high waves off the U.S. East Coast and toward Bermuda over October 24 and 25. The changes follow Post-Tropical Cyclone Josephine, which has disrupted cruise routing across the region. Bermuda shore excursions were cancelled and refunded to onboard accounts.

Compensation varies by cabin. Independence guests receive refundable onboard credit of $150 for an inside stateroom, $200 for ocean view, $300 for a balcony and $500 for a suite, plus $50 for each third or additional guest. Earlier, Oasis of the Seas had a seven-night Caribbean itinerary replaced by a single Halifax call, with $200 to $600 per guest in credit and a future cruise credit of 50 percent of the fare.

Harmony of the Seas, leaving Port Canaveral the same day, keeps all its ports but reshuffles the order: Nassau moves to October 25, Monday becomes a sea day, and CocoCay shifts to October 27. Cruise-line excursions will move to the new dates where possible or be refunded.

Sources: Cruise Mummy