Oasis of the Seas diverted to Halifax by storm

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, a cruise ship that was supposed to sail from New Jersey to the Bahamas, was rerouted to Halifax because of bad weather off the U.S. East Coast, CTV News Atlantic reported.

The ship, which can hold up to 6,300 passengers, left New Jersey on Sunday and docked along Halifax’s waterfront on Tuesday, according to Port Halifax’s cruise ship schedule, CTV reported. The change has sent searches for the trip climbing in Canada this week.

The seven-night sailing was to have visited Port Canaveral, Fla., Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Cruise Hive reported. Royal Caribbean instead sent the ship north to avoid severe weather along the eastern seaboard, including high winds and strong swells, the cruise news site said. Halifax became the only port of call on the revised itinerary.

The original plan gave passengers a short visit. Cruise Hive reported the ship was to be docked from 6 p.m. Tuesday until 8 a.m. Wednesday, about 14 hours. Guests were then told the stay had been extended. A letter delivered to staterooms said the line had been able to secure “additional flexibility” and that the ship could stay until 6 p.m. Wednesday, giving guests a full day to explore the city, according to Cruise Hive.

CTV reported that the ship was scheduled to leave at 6 p.m. Wednesday and would spend three days at sea before returning to New Jersey. Apart from the Halifax stop, the rest of the voyage was sea days, Cruise Hive reported.

Royal Caribbean offered passengers compensation for the change in plans. All passengers are receiving a 50 per cent travel voucher through Royal Caribbean International, as well as refunds for excursions they had booked, CTV reported.

Some passengers said they welcomed the detour. “We love Halifax, we’re happy to be here,” said Thomas Egebo, who is from New York, adding that he could not wait to get off the ship because he has a favourite restaurant on the boardwalk, CTV reported.

Cruise Hive described the reaction among guests as mixed. Some understood the need to change course for weather reasons, but many were disappointed that the revised plan replaced three tropical ports with one stop in Atlantic Canada, the site reported.

This story is based on reporting by CTV News Atlantic and Cruise Hive. Canada News Media will update it if the cruise line or the Port of Halifax issues a statement.

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