Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, has run into hurricane season head-on.
Just weeks after her debut, the ship’s September 28, 2025, sailing has been shifted from the Eastern Caribbean to the Western Caribbean due to a developing storm system.
Why the Change Was Made
Royal Caribbean explained that the decision was taken after careful monitoring by the captain and the line’s meteorology team.
The concern is over a system that is expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda in the coming days.
- The system is developing north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
- Forecasts show it tracking through the Bahamas during the week.
- The storm is expected to bring rough seas, heavy rain, and strong winds.
Cruise Line’s Statement
In an email to guests, the line emphasized that the itinerary shift is for safety reasons:
- “Our Captain, along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, has been monitoring the expected development of a tropical storm near the northwest Bahamas and a hurricane in the Atlantic.
- We have decided to change our itinerary to safely avoid the storm and large seas on our eastern route.”
Original vs. Revised Itinerary
What Guests Were Expecting (Eastern Caribbean)
The original 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise was scheduled as follows:
- Sunday, Sept 28 – Depart Port Canaveral
- Monday – Perfect Day at CocoCay
- Tuesday – Day at sea
- Wednesday – St. Thomas
- Thursday – St. Kitts (inaugural visit)
- Friday – Day at sea
- Saturday – Day at sea
- Sunday, Oct 5 – Return to Port Canaveral
This plan included two iconic Caribbean islands and the ship’s very first stop in St. Kitts, which was highly anticipated.
What Guests Will Now Get (Western Caribbean)
Due to the tropical system, the ship will instead sail a Western Caribbean route:
- Sunday, Sept 28 – Depart Port Canaveral
- Monday – Day at sea
- Tuesday – Costa Maya (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Wednesday – Roatán (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Thursday – Cozumel (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Friday – Day at sea
- Saturday – Day at sea
- Sunday, Oct 5 – Return to Port Canaveral
What This Means for Guests
- CocoCay dropped – Surprisingly, there is no replacement stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island.
- St. Thomas & St. Kitts canceled – Including the long-awaited inaugural call at St. Kitts.
- More Western Caribbean flavor – Ports like Costa Maya, Roatán, and Cozumel now headline the voyage.
Why CocoCay Didn’t Make the Cut
The Obvious Question
Many guests immediately wondered: “If St. Kitts and St. Thomas are off the table, why not just add Perfect Day at CocoCay instead?” After all, it’s one of the biggest draws of sailing on Royal Caribbean.
The Scheduling Conflict
- October 4 would have been the most likely day to fit CocoCay into the itinerary.
- But that slot was already fully booked by:
- Wonder of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- With two Oasis-class ships already scheduled, there was no room for a third mega-ship at the island.
The Reality for Guests
- No CocoCay visit this time around.
- Instead, passengers will get extended time at Western Caribbean ports.
- Royal Caribbean is automatically refunding pre-paid excursions for canceled stops and opening up booking for new tours in Costa Maya, Roatán, and Cozumel through the app and Shore Excursions Desk.
The Tropical System Behind the Change
Where the Storm Formed
The system causing all the disruption began just north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, stirring up unsettled weather in the Caribbean.
Forecast & Expected Path
- The National Hurricane Center (NHC) gave it an 80–90% chance of developing into a full tropical storm.
- Movement: Northward, crossing through the Bahamas over the weekend.
- Timing: Likely to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda by late Friday, September 26, or soon after.
Why Royal Caribbean Changed Course
- Sailing east would have meant hitting strong winds and rough seas head-on.
- To keep guests safe and the itinerary steady, the captain and Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer decided to flip the voyage into a Western Caribbean route.
- This ensured the ship could stay in calmer waters while still delivering a full cruise experience.
Inaugural Visit to St. Kitts Postponed
Why It Matters
One of the biggest disappointments for guests booked on the September 28 sailing was the cancellation of Star of the Seas’ very first call to St. Kitts.
- Inaugural port visits are usually celebrated with ceremonies, local welcoming events, and special onboard activities.
- Many guests look forward to being part of these “firsts,” making the cancellation extra frustrating.
Official Update
- Royal Caribbean informed the St. Kitts Tourism Authority on Thursday, September 25, that the inaugural call would be delayed.
- The new date for the ship’s first visit to St. Kitts is now set for Tuesday, October 23, 2025, during the October 19 departure.
Other Eastern Caribbean Options
- Star of the Seas doesn’t always include St. Kitts on its Eastern itineraries.
- Some cruises instead feature San Juan (Puerto Rico) or St. Maarten.
- This means the October 23 stop will be the first official chance for the ship to visit the island.
Making the Best of It
Even though the historic port call has been postponed, guests onboard are still expected to enjoy:
- Special inaugural season merchandise (shirts, hats, collectibles).
- Unique events and celebrations onboard to highlight the ship’s newness.
- A sense of being part of the ship’s early history, even if St. Kitts has to wait a little longer.
