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Severe winter weather along the U.S. East Coast is once again disrupting cruise schedules, and this time, Odyssey of the Seas has been caught in the mix.
After battling rough conditions caused by Winter Storm Fern, the ship will return to New Jersey a full day later than planned — a delay that ripples straight into the next sailing.
The good news? The ship is safe, guests are not in danger, and the changes are purely operational.
The bad news? The next cruise will be one day shorter, and two Caribbean ports have been dropped.
Why Odyssey of the Seas Is Arriving Late
Odyssey of the Seas is homeported at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Due to the intensity of the winter storm impacting much of the Northeast, Royal Caribbean made the call to delay the ship’s return by one day.
In a message sent directly to guests, the cruise line explained that the delay allows:
- Weather conditions to improve.
- Port operations are to safely recover.
- Guests struggling with travel disruptions have more time to reach the port.
With airports across the region experiencing mass cancellations and delays, the extra day may actually reduce the risk of passengers missing the ship entirely.
Air Travel Chaos Played a Major Role
The timing of the storm couldn’t have been worse for travelers trying to reach New Jersey.
On Sunday, January 25 alone, nearby airports reported hundreds of cancellations:
- Newark Liberty International Airport: over 900 cancellations.
- LaGuardia Airport: nearly 900 cancellations.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport: close to 1,000 cancellations.
Even as the storm begins to move out, airline schedules are expected to remain disrupted for days as crews and aircraft reposition.
Royal Caribbean’s delay effectively gives guests breathing room to rebook flights and arrive safely.
Next Sailing Now Departs One Day Later
Because Odyssey of the Seas is returning late from a Southern Caribbean voyage, the upcoming cruise — originally scheduled to depart January 26 — will now leave on Tuesday, January 27.
That change shortens the sailing from 12 nights to 11 nights, and unfortunately, not all ports can be preserved.
Two Ports Canceled From the Itinerary
To accommodate the revised schedule, Royal Caribbean confirmed that San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, have been removed from the itinerary.
According to the cruise line:
- No replacement ports were available.
- Additional sea days were added instead.
- The revised route keeps the ship farther from lingering storm systems.
Any shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean for the canceled ports will be automatically refunded.
Updated Odyssey of the Seas Itinerary
Here’s how the shortened sailing now looks:
- Tuesday, January 27 – Depart Cape Liberty at 3:00 p.m.
- Jan 28–30 – Sea Days
- Saturday, January 31 – St. John’s, Antigua (7 a.m.–4 p.m.)
- Sunday, February 1 – Bridgetown, Barbados (9 a.m.–6 p.m.)
- Monday, February 2 – Castries, St. Lucia (8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
- Tuesday, February 3 – Philipsburg, St. Maarten (9 a.m.–6 p.m.)
- Feb 4–6 – Sea Days
- Saturday, February 7 – Arrive in New Jersey at 6:00 a.m.
While losing two popular ports is disappointing, the remaining stops still deliver a strong Southern Caribbean experience.
Safety Over Schedule — The Priority Remains Clear
Royal Caribbean emphasized that Odyssey of the Seas is not experiencing any mechanical issues and is operating normally.
The delay is entirely weather-driven and reflects a broader pattern affecting multiple cruise ships along the East Coast, including sailings out of Baltimore and Brooklyn.
By adjusting the schedule early and clearly communicating with guests, the cruise line aims to:
- Avoid risky weather conditions.
- Reduce travel stress.
- Maintain a smooth onboard experience once sailing resumes.
The Bottom Line
Winter Storm Fern has forced Odyssey of the Seas to adjust its plans, shortening the next cruise and canceling two ports — but the changes also provide guests with extra time to navigate widespread travel disruptions.
While itinerary changes are never ideal, this update prioritizes safety, transparency, and practicality — and ensures the ship can sail comfortably once conditions improve.
