Most cruisers boarding the Odyssey of the Seas expected sunshine, pool decks, and that first tropical cocktail.
Instead? Snow-covered balconies in New Jersey.
Winter Storm Hernando delayed the ship’s February 22 departure, leaving thousands of passengers waking up not to open ocean views — but to a full-on winter wonderland.
And rather than letting the delay ruin the vibe, guests did something very cruise-appropriate: They turned it into a snow day at sea.
Snowmen at Sea: Not Exactly a Caribbean Shore Excursion
One passenger, Leonard, came prepared — almost suspiciously prepared.
Knowing snow was in the forecast, he packed supplies to build a proper snowman onboard, complete with:
- Kingsford charcoal for buttons.
- Latex gloves.
- Creative determination.
And he wasn’t alone. Across multiple decks, cruisers began crafting their own frosty mascots — from tiny tabletop snow figures to child-sized creations lining balconies.
Suddenly, Odyssey wasn’t just a cruise ship. It was a floating snow village.
Balcony Builds & Deck 7 Celebrities
Passengers across the ship shared their creations online:
- Mini snowmen perched on balcony railings.
- Smiling snow figures overlooking Cape Liberty.
- “Hernando,” a snowman named after the storm itself.
One guest joked she never expected “build a snowman on a cruise ship” to be added to her bucket list — but here we are.
Deck 7 and Deck 9 seemed to become unofficial snowman headquarters, with guests proudly showing off their icy masterpieces.
Let’s be honest — that’s peak cruise spirit right there.
Not Everyone Braved the Cold
Of course, not all guests wanted to freeze their flip-flops off.
Some passengers stayed indoors, making the most of the situation in a much warmer way — cocktails in hand inside the Solarium.
One cruiser described it perfectly: drinks flowing, atmosphere relaxed, just waiting for port clearance.
Honestly? A snowstorm feels a lot less dramatic when you’re sipping something tropical in a heated glass dome.
Why Was the Ship Delayed?
The Quantum-class vessel was held overnight due to:
- High winds
- Rough seas
- Port safety restrictions
Storm conditions made it unsafe to depart as scheduled. Instead of cruising toward The Bahamas, guests woke up to snow blanketing the upper decks.
Thousands of air travelers across the Northeast were also impacted, as the storm caused widespread flight disruptions.
But unlike airport terminals… cruise ships have buffets.
Making the Best of It
Was this the sailaway guests envisioned? Not exactly.
But instead of frustration, many chose humor and creativity. Snowmen on balconies. Group photos. Storm-themed jokes.
And plenty of tropical drinks are waiting for smoother seas. And let’s be honest — being “stuck” on a Royal Caribbean ship still beats being stuck at work.
Soon enough, Odyssey of the Seas will be headed south toward blue water and palm trees. Until then? Snow day at sea.
