October 24, 2026 — Royal Caribbean (Royal Caribbean Group) has changed three itineraries for weather and speed reasons, two of them on ships sailing today, and has pulled a dining perk for top-tier loyalty members on Legend of the Seas’ first Atlantic crossing.
Independence of the Seas: Bermuda swapped for Saint John
The 5-night sailing leaving Cape Liberty, New Jersey, today, Saturday, October 24, will no longer overnight at King’s Wharf, Bermuda. A gale warning off the U.S. East Coast linked to the remnants of Josephine prompted the line to head north instead, to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Guests were told late on October 22, less than two days before boarding. The line said the weather made it hard to offer a “safe and comfortable journey to Bermuda.”
| Original | Revised | |
|---|---|---|
| Port | King’s Wharf, Bermuda (overnight) | Saint John, New Brunswick (overnight) |
| Arrive | Mon, Oct 26, 9:00 a.m. | Mon, Oct 26, about 10:30 a.m. |
| Depart | Tue, Oct 27, 5:00 p.m. | Tue, Oct 27, 2:30 p.m. |
| Return | Cape Liberty, Oct 29 | Cape Liberty, Oct 29 (unchanged) |
Compensation: refundable onboard credit per stateroom of $150 (inside), $200 (oceanview), $300 (balcony) or $500 (suite), plus $50 for each third and additional guest. Bermuda tours booked through Royal Caribbean are cancelled and refunded to the onboard account; unused credit goes back to the card on file after the cruise.
This is the latest of several East Coast sailings sent to Canada this month: Oasis of the Seas (October 18 from Cape Liberty) went to Halifax, and Vision of the Seas (October 17 from Baltimore) went to Saint John instead of Bermuda.
Harmony of the Seas: same ports, new order
Harmony’s 5-night sailing from Port Canaveral today, October 24, returning October 29, has swapped its port days to dodge an unsettled weather system expected over the Bahamas early next week. Guests were emailed the day before boarding.
| Date | Original | Revised |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Oct 25 | Sea day | Nassau, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. |
| Mon, Oct 26 | Perfect Day at CocoCay | Sea day |
| Tue, Oct 27 | Nassau | Perfect Day at CocoCay, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Wed, Oct 28 | Sea day | Sea day |
| Thu, Oct 29 | Port Canaveral | Port Canaveral |
Royal Caribbean-booked tours move to the new day; any that cannot be moved are cancelled and refunded as onboard credit. No other compensation was mentioned, and the line warned more changes may be announced on board.
Anthem of the Seas: Icy Strait Point dropped from first 2027 Alaska cruise
Anthem’s 7-night round trip from Vancouver on May 7, 2027 (returning May 14) loses its May 9 Icy Strait Point call, which becomes a sea day, and leaves Ketchikan two hours early (5 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.). Hubbard Glacier and Sitka stay. The line cited unspecified speed restrictions. Prepaid Icy Strait tours are cancelled automatically and refunded to the original payment within 14 business days.
Legend of the Seas: BOGO dining perk pulled on the crossing
On Legend of the Seas’ transatlantic crossing from Europe, starting October 25 (the ship’s first trip to the U.S.), Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members lose their buy-one-get-one specialty dinner benefit because restaurants are fully booked. In its place is a reservation-only, $25-per-person dinner, Island Vibes at Surfside Eatery, nightly 5–8 p.m., for those members only.
Oasis of the Seas: Crown Lounge moves
On Oasis of the Seas, the Crown & Anchor Society lounge has moved to Deck 15 aft and is open, while a larger non-smoking casino on Deck 4 is still being built. Completion date: TBA.
What it means for airline travelers
- Independence of the Seas guests now end up in Canada: bring a valid passport. The ship still returns to Cape Liberty on October 29, so return flights from Newark (EWR) do not change.
- Harmony of the Seas still sails and returns on the same days, so flights into and out of Orlando (MCO) are unaffected. Pre-booked tours move automatically.
- Weather around the East Coast and Bahamas is unsettled this weekend. If you are flying standby to Newark or Orlando for a sailing in the next few days, go a day early and keep a back-up flight in mind.
- Anthem’s May 7, 2027 sailing still starts and ends in Vancouver (YVR), so flight plans hold; only the Alaska port line-up changed.
- No travel-industry or interline rate changes were mentioned.
Sources
- Cruise Hive: Storm Forces Independence of the Seas to Abandon Bermuda for Canada
- Royal Caribbean Blog: Royal Caribbean reroutes another warm-weather cruise to Canada after threatening weather system shifts
- Cruise Mummy: Royal Caribbean Passengers Face Another Major Cruise Reroute
- Cruise Hive: Harmony of the Seas Makes Itinerary Change as Bahamas Weather Turns
- Cruise Hive: Royal Caribbean Blames Speed Restrictions for Cancelled Icy Strait Point Visit
- Royal Caribbean Blog: Royal Caribbean has so many loyal cruisers on one ship, it’s taking away a popular perk
- Royal Caribbean Blog: Royal Caribbean unveils updated venues on Oasis of the Seas cruise ship
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