Florida Cruise Delays: Rough Seas Disrupt Schedules for at Least 7 Ships

Gale-force winds and choppy seas are impacting cruise ships sailing in and out of several Florida cruise ports this week, including PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port of Palm Beach. Some cruises out of New Jersey were also impacted.

At least seven cruise ships have been affected as the National Weather Service forecasts dangerous conditions through the middle of this week.

Several port authorities have advised closing or delaying operations in some cases for safety.

Here are the cruise ships impacted so far.

Norwegian Joy (PortMiami)

• Impact: Arrival in Miami was delayed due to gale-force winds.
• Details: Terminal check-in for the departing October 27 sailing was pushed to Tuesday afternoon. Guests received emails telling them to stay away from the terminal until cleared. The delay risks impacting the ship’s upcoming trip to Turks & Caicos and Great Stirrup Cay.

Norwegian Getaway (PortMiami)

• Impact: Morning arrival into Miami was delayed by high swells in the channel.
• Details: The ship experienced arrival delays alongside Norwegian Joy. Passengers for the next cruise received alerts to follow new check-in times to prevent crowded conditions during bad weather.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise (Port of Palm Beach)

• Impact: Return to port was pushed back a full day, giving current cruisers an extra day. So, a 4-night cruise turned into a 5-nighter. Visit to Freeport was canceled. Nassau was added.
• Details: High surf forced port authorities to delay the ship’s arrival from Tuesday, October 27, to Wednesday, October 28. Onboard guests received an extra day at sea with extended drink and Wi-Fi packages. Embarkation for the next cruise moved to October 28, with guests offered a $50 Future Cruise Credit or free rebooking.

Utopia of the Seas (Port Canaveral)

• Impact: Bahamas stops canceled. Rerouted to Mexico.
• Details: Royal Caribbean canceled scheduled stops at Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay for the October 26 sailing. The ship rerouted 650 miles west to Cozumel, Mexico, for a short visit on Wednesday, October 28. Guests received auto-refunds as onboard credit for canceled shore excursions.

Harmony of the Seas (Port Canaveral)

• Impact: Swapped port dates to avoid severe weather.
• Details: The ship kept its Bahamas stops but flipped the order. It visited Nassau first on Sunday, October 25, and moved CocoCay to Tuesday, October 27, to avoid the worst weather. Departure and return dates remained unchanged.

Independence of the Seas (Cape Liberty)

• Impact: Southern itinerary canceled. Sent north to Canada instead.
• Details: Royal Caribbean canceled all planned southern calls due to rough East Coast waters. The ship was sent north to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, for an overnight visit from October 26 to October 27 before heading back south. Guests received onboard credits.

Oasis of the Seas (Cape Liberty)

• Impact: Southern itinerary canceled. Ship was diverted north to Canada.
• Details: Before Independence of the Seas was rerouted, Oasis of the Seas was the first ship diverted away from its scheduled Florida and Bahamas stops. On its October 18–25 sailing, Royal Caribbean canceled scheduled stops at Port Canaveral, CocoCay, and Nassau. The ship was rerouted north to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for an overnight visit from Tuesday, October 20 to Wednesday, October 21. Passengers received a 50% Future Cruise Credit and refundable onboard credit.