A cruise ship intending to voyage to the Bahamas found itself heading north to Canada due to unforeseen weather conditions. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, initially set to sail from New Jersey to Florida and the Bahamas, changed course to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on reports of stormy weather along the East Coast.
Departing on October 18, the cruise was scheduled for a seven-day journey. However, more than 5,000 passengers were informed just before departure of the new route, leading to mixed reactions. The ship docked in Halifax for 24 hours, offering passengers a chance to explore local attractions and shops.
This is a joke, right?noted Marie Durning, a New Jersey resident. Unprepared for the colder climate, she expressed frustration while hastily repacking. Temperatures in Halifax ranged from the upper 40s to low 50s during the day, dropping to the 30s at night.
While some passengers like Jim Matthews chose to embrace the unexpected stop in Halifax, others expressed disappointment. Matthews remarked on the beauty of Halifax, opting to make the most of the situation despite the sudden itinerary change.
Nicholas Meli, who traveled with his family from Toronto to join the cruise, voiced his dissatisfaction. Having driven seven hours, Meli’s expectation for a sunny Bahamas vacation wasn’t met.
Comments on Reddit’s r/canada thread revealed sympathy for the passengers, with one user noting Halifax’s appeal yet acknowledging it is not the Bahamas.
Passengers received a 50% travel voucher and refunds for canceled shore excursions. Royal Caribbean’s policy allows for itinerary changes due to weather or other events, without obligatory fare refunds.
The company has yet to publicly comment on the situation.