October 25, 2026 — Royal Caribbean International (Royal Caribbean Group) warned guests aboard Odyssey of the Seas about protests planned in Naples during the ship’s October 24 call. The ship is now starting a 14-night transatlantic crossing to its winter homeport at Cape Liberty, New Jersey.
Naples call went ahead with a warning
Odyssey of the Seas left Civitavecchia (Rome) on October 18, 2026, for a 7-night Greek Isles and Italy sailing that called at Messina, Santorini and Mykonos before Naples. The ship was scheduled in Naples from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, and tracking data showed it left on time.
Guests found letters in their staterooms on Friday, October 23, warning of demonstrations planned around Piazza Garibaldi, close to Naples Central station and roughly 1.5 miles from the cruise pier. Royal Caribbean told guests touring independently to stay away from the square in the afternoon, to allow extra time getting to and from the pier, and to be back before departure. Guests on Royal Caribbean shore excursions were guaranteed a return to the ship. Protests over living costs and government policy also took place that day in Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna and Florence, and some turned violent. The protests were not about the ship.
Transatlantic to Cape Liberty
On October 25 Odyssey of the Seas begins a 14-night transatlantic cruise to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, its homeport for the winter. From there it will sail to Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean before returning to Europe in April 2027 (exact date TBA).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ship | Odyssey of the Seas (4,198 guests) |
| Last Italian call | Naples, Oct 24, 2026, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Next sailing | 14-night transatlantic, departs Oct 25, 2026 |
| Winter homeport | Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey |
| Return to Europe | April 2027 (date TBA) |
What it means for airline travelers
- Ending a cruise in Civitavecchia: Italian protests and strikes can snarl the roads and trains to Rome Fiumicino. Leave extra time on disembarkation day and avoid same-day standby flights out of Rome if you can.
- Sailing from Cape Liberty this winter: Newark Liberty is the closest major airport, with JFK and LaGuardia as alternatives. Winter weather in the Northeast can wreck standby plans, so fly in the day before.
- Disembarking the transatlantic at Cape Liberty: the arrival date is not given in the source. Check your cruise documents before you pick a flight home.
- No change to travel-industry or interline rates was mentioned.
Sources
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