Talk about a vacation taking a wrong turn!
More than 5,000 Royal Caribbean passengers packed for sunshine and sandy beaches in the Bahamas, only to find themselves heading to chilly Canada instead, The Daily Mail reported on October 20.
For one traveler, the detour was especially frustrating.
According to CP24, Nicholas Meli drove seven hours from Toronto to New Jersey for a Bahamas cruise. A few days later, his ship was docked in Canada.
He was among the passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s “Oasis of the Seas” whose tropical vacation was rerouted north because of bad weather. per Hawaii News Now.
“I’m very disappointed,” Nicholas told CTV News in Halifax, Nova Scotia. “I am already from Canada, and I wanted to go to the Bahamas.”
Royal Caribbean Reroutes Bahamas Cruise at Last Minute
The ship departed Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Sunday, October 18.
Its original seven-night itinerary included Port Canaveral, Florida, and two Bahamas stops: Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau.
But a developing storm off the East Coast disrupted those plans. Guests learned of the change shortly before departure, leaving little time to swap beachwear for warmer clothes.
New Jersey passenger Marie Durning said her husband could hardly believe the news.
“My husband said to me, this is a joke, right?” she told CTV News.
“I have my winter hat and earmuffs, but I forgot my scarf,” she added.
Passenger’s Viral Video Captures Cruise Frustration
For travelers arriving from farther away, repacking was not an option.
Actress Mikayla Iverson shared her reaction on Instagram after learning of the switch at Newark Airport. Her video drew more than 1.4 million views, according to the New York Post.
“Just got told after landing in Newark that our family Bahamas cruise leaving in literally 12 hours, we will now be going to Nova Scotia?!? And that we will not be allowed to leave the ship all week. @royalcaribbean, we don’t have the clothes for this,” she wrote.
Despite that initial concern, passengers later went ashore in Halifax.
Cruise Passengers Make the Most of Halifax Stop
The ship reached the Canadian city on Tuesday, October 20. Royal Caribbean extended its visit through Wednesday evening.
Some visited the waterfront, shopped and took harbor boat rides, CTV News reported.
Ron Green of Virginia had expected a Florida stop before heading to the Bahamas. Instead, Halifax became the cruise’s only port.
Others decided the sudden switch would not ruin their week.
Dwayne Hicks of Philadelphia told CTV News he encouraged his group to air their frustrations before boarding and then enjoy the vacation they had paid for.
Royal Caribbean Offers Credits After Itinerary Change
Royal Caribbean offered refundable onboard credits of $200 to $600 for each of the first two guests in a cabin, depending on stateroom category, according to Cruise Mummy.
Paying passengers also received a 50% future cruise credit, and excursions booked through the company at canceled ports were refunded.
The ship is scheduled to return to New Jersey on Sunday, October 25, as per Royal Carribean blog.
For Jim Matthews of New Jersey, the detour came with an unexpected discovery. “It is the way the dice fell for us, but I’m grateful and I’m going to make the best of it,” he told CTV News. “And I have found out that Halifax is a beautiful city.”
Royal Caribbean Cruise Takes Shocking Turn as Bahamas-Bound Passengers End Up in Canada