Oasis of the Seas passengers packed swimsuits and got Nova Scotia. Two more Royal Caribbean ships have swapped Bermuda for Canada. Here’s what happened and what guests got back.
Royal Caribbean passengers packed for the Bahamas and ended up in Canada.
Oasis of the Seas left Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on Sunday, Oct. 18, with more than 5,000 passengers, CTV News reported. Stormy weather sent the ship north to Halifax, Nova Scotia, instead of south to Florida and the Bahamas.
The story went viral again this weekend when the New York Post picked it up on Saturday, Oct. 24. Here’s what happened, and why it keeps happening.
Why did Oasis of the Seas go to Halifax?
Weather. The ship was booked on a seven-night trip, and bad weather forced the change, CNN reported.
Passenger Ron Green of northern Virginia laid out the original plan for CTV News. “We were supposed to go to Florida and stay in Port Canaveral for half a day, and then go to the Bahamas,” he said. “But then the weather got bad and we came here.”
Here’s CTV’s report from the Halifax waterfront:
How much notice did Oasis of the Seas passengers get?
Just hours. Marie Durning of New Jersey told CTV she had several hours’ notice before boarding, then had to repack for chillier weather.
“My husband said to me, this is a joke, right?” Durning said. “I have my winter hat and earmuffs, but I forgot my scarf.”
Actress Mikayla Iverson posted about the news on Instagram after landing at Newark, the Post reported. Her video drew about 1.4 million views.
Could Oasis passengers get off the ship in Halifax?
Yes. The Post reported that passengers were told they wouldn’t be allowed off in port, citing Iverson’s post from the airport.
But CTV News found Oasis passengers on the Halifax waterfront. They had the chance to explore the boardwalk, do some shopping and take a boat ride in the harbor, CTV reported.
“I have found out that Halifax is a beautiful city,” said Jim Matthews of New Jersey.
What did Royal Caribbean give Oasis passengers?
Every passenger got a 50% travel voucher and refunds for shore excursions, CTV News Atlantic reported. “They did give everybody a little bit of money,” Green said.
Royal Caribbean didn’t respond to the Post’s request for comment.
What was the new Oasis of the Seas itinerary?
Oasis docked in Halifax on Tuesday, Oct. 20, according to Port Halifax’s cruise schedule, as CTV reported. It was set to leave at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
After that came three days at sea before the ship returns to New Jersey on Sunday, Oct. 25, according to CTV and People.
How did passengers feel about Canada?
“I’m very disappointed,” said Nicholas Meli, who drove seven hours from Toronto to board in New Jersey. “I am already from Canada, and I wanted to go to the Bahamas.”
Dwayne Hicks of Philadelphia told his family to vent before boarding. “I think we are halfway to the North Pole, where Santa Claus is from,” he joked.
Walter MacDonnell of Hamilton, Ontario, was thrilled. “Angry? Not at all, and I’m glad this happened, because we love coming here,” he said.
Which other Royal Caribbean cruises were rerouted to Canada?
Two Bermuda trips, Cruise Hive reported. Vision of the Seas left Baltimore on Oct. 17 and went to Saint John, New Brunswick, instead. Because the change came so late, guests weren’t allowed off the ship there.
Independence of the Seas sails from Cape Liberty on Saturday, Oct. 24, and is also skipping Bermuda for Saint John. Guests found out late on Thursday, Oct. 22.
“After exploring all of our options, we’ve decided to sail to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada for an overnight stay instead,” Royal Caribbean’s email said.
What are Independence of the Seas guests getting?
Onboard credit per stateroom: $150 for inside rooms, $200 for outside, $300 for balconies and $500 for suites, Cruise Hive reported. A third or fourth guest adds $50.
Prepaid Bermuda excursions booked through Royal Caribbean will be canceled and refunded to guests’ onboard accounts.
Why are so many cruises changing course?
A stormy stretch off the East Coast. The National Weather Service has a gale warning for waters between the U.S. and Bermuda after Post-Tropical Cyclone Josephine, Cruise Hive reported.
Even Florida sailings are shuffling. Harmony of the Seas, leaving Port Canaveral on Oct. 24, swapped the order of its Nassau and Perfect Day CocoCay stops to dodge rough weather. “Being onboard is one of the safest places to be,” Royal Caribbean told guests.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
CTV News, Joshua Freeman and Jonathan MacInnis (Oct. 21, 2026), the Halifax diversion, passengers and compensation
New York Post, Angela Barbuti (Oct. 24, 2026), the viral Instagram post
CNN via KPLC and People (Oct. 22, 2026), the weather change and return date
Cruise Hive, Melissa Mayntz (Oct. 23 and 24, 2026), the Vision, Independence and Harmony changes
CTV News on YouTube (Oct. 21, 2026), the Halifax report
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