Odyssey of the Seas. The Trave
A powerful winter storm along the U.S. East Coast has disrupted flights and cruise departures, leaving thousands of travellers facing delays. Among those affected are passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, which remained docked in Bayonne, New Jersey, longer than scheduled due to severe weather.
Forecasters issued a blizzard warning for parts of New York, predicting heavy snowfall and strong winds. The storm created unsafe conditions for ships leaving port, forcing cruise lines to adjust plans.
Ship Stays in Port Longer Than Expected
Odyssey of the Seas had originally planned to depart Cape Liberty Bayonne on February 22 at 3 p.m. However, strong winds and heavy snow delayed the departure.
The cruise itinerary included stops in Port Canaveral, Coco Cay and Nassau before returning to New Jersey on March 1. At first, the cruise line did not confirm how the storm would affect those destinations.
Passengers onboard began sharing updates online as they waited for news. Many travellers expected at least one port stop to change or be cancelled.
Guests Share Concerns
Some guests expressed frustration and uncertainty about the delay. One traveller wrote online that the ship would likely remain docked overnight and depart the following morning instead of the scheduled afternoon time.
Others pointed out that sailing into a major winter storm could create unsafe and uncomfortable conditions. One user described the weather system forming offshore as one of the strongest winter storms in years and suggested that leaving port later would be safer for everyone onboard.
Despite the disruption, several passengers remained optimistic. Some recalled previous experiences where the cruise line handled storm-related changes effectively and communicated clearly.
Other Royal Caribbean Ships Affected
The weather system also affected Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas. That ship cancelled its planned stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay due to rough seas.
In a message to guests, Royal Caribbean explained: "Due to a weather system expected to bring unfavourable conditions and rough seas to Perfect Day at CocoCay on Monday, February 23, we will be skipping our visit and enjoying a Sea Day instead."
The revised schedule allowed guests to spend more time in Charlotte Amalie instead.
Other Cruise Lines Adjust Plans
The storm also affected other cruise companies. MSC delayed the departure of MSC Meraviglia and rearranged port visits. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway departed Manhattan despite challenging conditions but may still adjust its route.
Cruise operators across the region monitored conditions closely as the storm continued.
Odyssey Finally Sets Sail
After the delay, Odyssey of the Seas eventually left Bayonne and headed south toward Port Canaveral. Tracking updates showed the ship moving along the East Coast at cruising speed.
Passengers shared photos of snow covering parts of the ship, especially the pool deck. Crew members temporarily closed that area while clearing snow. Indoor facilities remained open, and guests made the most of the unusual winter scene at sea.
One traveller posted that the ship had reached warmer waters near North Carolina and that crews continued removing snow from the deck.
A Memorable Start to the Voyage
Although the delay created inconvenience, the snowy departure turned into a rare experience for many onboard. Instead of sunny sail-away views, passengers watched snowflakes fall from their balconies.
As the ship moves toward warmer destinations, travellers hope the rest of the journey will proceed smoothly.
