Royal Caribbean has redirected another cruise ship to Canada after worsening weather disrupted plans for a five-night holiday to Bermuda, just days after passengers aboard Oasis of the Seas experienced a similarly dramatic change.
Independence of the Seas was due to depart Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on 24th October 2026, taking passengers south to Bermuda for an overnight stay. Instead, the ship will head north to Saint John, New Brunswick, where considerably cooler autumn conditions await.
The decision follows the rerouting of Oasis of the Seas, which departed from the same port on 18th October. Passengers on that sailing had booked a week visiting Florida and the Bahamas but found themselves travelling to Halifax, Nova Scotia, instead.
The two changes mean thousands of Royal Caribbean passengers have had their warm-weather cruise plans replaced with Canadian destinations within the space of a week.
A third Royal Caribbean vessel, Harmony of the Seas, has also had its itinerary altered because of unfavourable weather forecasts. However, its passengers are still expected to visit all their originally scheduled destinations in the Bahamas.
Bermuda Cruise Replaced With An Overnight Stay In Canada
Passengers booked aboard Independence of the Seas received notification of the change on Thursday evening, 22nd October, giving them less than two days to adjust their plans before departure.
Royal Caribbean explained that weather conditions along the US East Coast were making the original route to Bermuda unsuitable.
In its communication to guests, the cruise line said:
“After exploring all of our options, we’ve decided to sail to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada for an overnight stay instead.”
The original itinerary included a visit to King’s Wharf at Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard, with the ship scheduled to arrive at 9am on Monday, 26th October, and remain until 5pm the following day.
That would have given passengers roughly 32 hours in Bermuda, allowing time for beaches, sightseeing and other activities across two days.
The replacement destination provides a comparable overnight stop, but in a very different setting.
Under the revised schedule, Independence of the Seas is expected to reach Saint John at approximately 10.30am on Monday, 26th October, and remain until 2.30pm on Tuesday, 27th October.
Saint John is a port city on Canada’s Bay of Fundy, known for its historic streets, waterfront attractions and the powerful tides that produce the Reversing Falls phenomenon.
Although the city offers opportunities for sightseeing, it is a substantial departure from the Bermuda holiday passengers originally booked.
Late October also brings a considerable temperature difference between the two destinations, potentially leaving guests who packed beachwear and light clothing needing warmer layers for their time ashore.
The itinerary change affects the 3,858-passenger Freedom-class ship as a
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