Winter Storm Fern Disrupts Operations of All Cruise Ships: What You Need to Know

Winter Storm Fern has severely impacted cruise operations across the United States, leading to significant itinerary adjustments and travel disruptions for thousands of passengers. The storm has brought bitterly cold weather, heavy snowfall, and considerable ice accumulation, prompting adjustments for six cruise ships.

Impacted Ships

• Odyssey of the Seas was forced to delay its return to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, initially scheduled for January 26, until January 27. The ship’s itinerary was modified, cancelling port visits to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas for an uninterrupted return home.

• Harmony of the Seas expedited its return to Galveston, Texas, from a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise, arriving a day early on January 24 to help passengers avoid the storm. Guests were given the option to disembark early, though many chose to enjoy an extra night on board with modified activities.

• Carnival Pride opted to remain at sea and delayed its return to Baltimore from a 14-night Caribbean and Panama itinerary. Its return has been pushed to January 25, resulting in a shortening of the next sailing to the Bahamas.

• Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Sunshine navigated the storm successfully. Jubilee departed from Galveston on schedule for a 7-night sailing, while Sunshine sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, for an 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary with no changes to its plans.

• MSC Meraviglia arrived at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal as scheduled and is preparing for a 7-night Bahamas itinerary, with warnings issued for passengers about potential delays due to weather conditions impacting their arrival.

Broader Travel Implications

The storm’s impact extended beyond cruise ships, affecting over 27,000 flights nationwide, resulting in extensive travel interruptions. Passengers heading to or from cruise ports are advised to remain flexible with their travel plans in light of these disruptions and to prepare for possible delays.

With adverse weather conditions affecting both itineraries and travel logistics, the situation underscores the importance of clear communication from cruise lines and flexibility for travelers.

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