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Winter Storm Fern is rapidly becoming one of the most disruptive weather systems of the season, and the cruise industry is already feeling its effects.
As the storm sweeps across large portions of the United States, airlines are cancelling flights, roads are icing over, and cruise lines are being forced to rethink schedules in real time.
While not every sailing is affected, several cruise ships have already confirmed delays, shortened itineraries, or heightened monitoring. Others remain on standby as ports brace for snow, ice, and dangerous travel conditions.
Below is a ship-by-ship breakdown of where things currently stand.
Carnival Pride (Baltimore)
This is the most significantly impacted ship so far.
Baltimore is forecast to receive heavy snowfall, and Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed operational changes for Carnival Pride.
Key impacts include:
- The ship will arrive one day later than planned, around noon on Monday, January 26.
- The upcoming sailing has been shortened by one day.
- Embarkation times have been adjusted and staggered.
Guests have been advised to:
- Monitor text alerts closely.
- Text CCL1 to 278473 for real-time updates.
Carnival’s brand ambassador has emphasized that safety and port accessibility are driving these changes.
Harmony of the Seas (Galveston)
In Texas, ice — not snow — is the main concern, and it can be even more dangerous due to power outages and road closures.
To get ahead of worsening conditions, Royal Caribbean International made a proactive decision involving Harmony of the Seas.
What changed:
- The ship returned to Galveston one day early, arriving late Saturday night.
- A scheduled stop in Cozumel was skipped to make this possible.
Guest accommodations include:
- Option to remain onboard until Sunday morning if travel plans couldn’t be changed.
- A one-day cruise fare refund issued as onboard credit.
Guests still had to briefly disembark to clear U.S. Customs before reboarding.
Vision of the Seas (Baltimore)
Another Baltimore-based ship, Vision of the Seas, is currently under close observation.
At this stage:
- No official delay has been announced.
- The port is expected to receive 8–12 inches of snow.
- Boarding and terminal operations could be affected if conditions worsen.
Royal Caribbean has warned guests to prepare for possible delays and to stay alert for last-minute updates.
Odyssey of the Seas (New Jersey)
Sailing from Cape Liberty, Odyssey of the Seas is scheduled to depart on Monday, January 26.
Because the storm is forecast to reach the Northeast around that time:
- The cruise line is actively monitoring weather developments.
- No itinerary changes have been announced yet.
- Boarding delays remain a realistic possibility.
Guests are strongly encouraged to check their emails before traveling to the terminal.
Carnival Jubilee (Galveston)
Not every ship under watch has been impacted.
Carnival Jubilee, sailing from Galveston, was placed on alert ahead of its Saturday departure — but conditions ultimately allowed the cruise to proceed as scheduled.
Current status:
- Departed on time.
- No itinerary changes.
- Sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise.
Planned stops include:
- Roatan
- Costa Maya
- Cozumel
An on-time return to Texas on January 31 is still expected.
Carnival Sunshine (Norfolk)
On the East Coast, Carnival Sunshine was also monitored closely ahead of its Norfolk departure.
Fortunately:
- The storm’s impact in Virginia was limited.
- The ship sailed as scheduled.
- No delays or itinerary changes are anticipated.
The 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary remains intact, with a return planned for February 1.
MSC Meraviglia (Brooklyn)
New York Harbor could still present challenges.
MSC Meraviglia is scheduled to arrive in Brooklyn on Sunday, January 25, but:
- Heavy snow and strong winds may delay docking.
- No official changes have been announced yet.
Guests embarking or disembarking in Brooklyn should stay in close contact with MSC Cruises for updates.
What Cruisers Should Do Right Now
Winter Storm Fern is still evolving, and more changes could follow.
Cruise travelers should:
- Sign up for text alerts from their cruise line.
- Avoid traveling to ports earlier than instructed.
- Build extra buffer time into flights and ground transportation.
As always during severe weather, flexibility is key — and staying informed can make all the difference.
