Gale Winds Force Cruise Lines to Revise Nassau Stops

Several cruise lines are revising late-January Bahamas itineraries as forecasts call for strong to gale-force winds and rough sea conditions around Nassau and nearby private-island destinations over the January 31 to February 1, 2026, weekend.

Wind forecasts across the Bahamas disrupt port calls

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology warned of strong to gale-force winds beginning Saturday and continuing into early Monday, a pattern that can make arrivals, departures, and pier operations unsafe. The adverse weather is tied to a broader storm system affecting the region, including a bomb cyclone impacting the U.S. East Coast.

Wind, not just rain, can drive itinerary changes because it can complicate docking, strain mooring arrangements, and create hazards on piers, gangways, and tender routes. For this weekend, the Weather Channel forecast for Nassau called for sustained winds near 20 mph on Saturday, increasing overnight with winds near 30 mph into Sunday, along with higher gusts. The strongest conditions are particularly challenging for smaller private cruise islands, including Disney’s Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay.

Disney revises Disney Wish and Disney Dream weekend plans

Disney Wish drops Castaway Cay and extends Nassau stay

Disney Wish departed Port Canaveral on Friday, January 30, 2026, on a three-night Bahamas cruise that originally included Nassau on Saturday, January 31, and Castaway Cay on Sunday, February 1, before returning Monday, February 2. Disney Cruise Line told guests it had been tracking a weather system expected to affect the private-island stop and said, “Given anticipated strong winds and adverse sea conditions,” the ship would not be able to visit Castaway Cay as scheduled.

Instead, Disney Wish will spend additional time in Nassau, remaining docked from Saturday evening through Sunday morning. In its guest message, Disney Cruise Line reiterated that “the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members is our highest priority,” and thanked guests for their understanding.

Disney Cruise Line said Port Adventures booked for Castaway Cay will be automatically canceled and removed from guest accounts. The line also indicated guests will be able to book Nassau tours and onboard experiences through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or via the Port Adventures Desk once onboard, and that pre-paid excursions for Castaway Cay have been canceled and refunded.

Disney Dream replaces its Nassau call with a sea day

Disney Dream also sailed Friday, January 30, 2026, departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on a three-night Bahamas itinerary. Guests were informed during embarkation that the ship’s planned stop in Nassau would not take place and would be replaced with a day at sea.

In its message to guests, Disney Cruise Line said the ship would “instead spend the day at sea,” where forecasts were more favorable than conditions expected around Nassau.

The change comes as Nassau’s berthing schedule is expected to be busy on Sunday, February 1, with six ships scheduled for the port that day: Wonder of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, MSC Grandiosa, Celebrity Constellation, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, and Disney Wish under its revised plan.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise moves Nassau call to avoid unsafe conditions

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, sailing from West Palm Beach on Friday, January 30, 2026, also modified its three-night Bahamas itinerary due to forecasted high winds. The ship was originally scheduled to call on Nassau on Sunday, February 1, but will now arrive on Saturday, January 31, shifting a planned sea day to make the timing work.

In a note sent to guests, Margaritaville at Sea said it had been advised that “a safe arrival and/or departure from the Port of Nassau will not be possible” on the originally planned day. The line also said, “Captain Panagiotis will keep monitoring the weather to ensure the safety and comfort of both our guests and crew,” emphasizing safety as the top priority.

Margaritaville at Sea told guests that pre-purchased Nassau shore excursions will automatically transfer to the new date.

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and other lines adjust Bahamas-region itineraries

Beyond Disney and Margaritaville at Sea, other operators have also altered plans as sea state and winds complicate docking and private-island access across the region.

• Royal Caribbean itinerary changes for the weekend included canceled calls to Perfect Day at CocoCay and other port revisions involving Nassau. Oasis of the Seas canceled its CocoCay visit on January 31, while Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas also adjusted itineraries, with cancellations affecting CocoCay and Nassau over January 31 and February 1. Utopia of the Seas also shortened its time in Nassau.
• Celebrity Reflection, which embarked January 30 from Fort Lauderdale, shifted to a revised itinerary that removed planned stops, including Key West and Bimini, turning the sailing into additional time at sea.
• Other ships, including MSC Meraviglia and Norwegian Breakaway, opted for early returns to their U.S. homeports to minimize exposure to rough seas.

What guests can expect as the weekend storm plays out

Across affected sailings, the most common outcomes are swapped port days, longer time in Nassau, or added sea days designed to keep ships in calmer waters during the period of strongest winds. Cruise lines have told guests they will continue monitoring conditions through the weekend, with onboard teams providing updates as weather and port operations evolve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are Bahamas cruise itineraries changing for the January 31 to February 1 weekend?

Cruise lines cited strong winds and rough sea conditions that can make docking, departures, and pier operations unsafe around Nassau and private-island destinations. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology warned of strong to gale-force winds beginning Saturday and continuing into early Monday, and forecasts for Nassau called for winds increasing toward about 30 mph with higher gusts.

Will guests receive refunds or automatic changes for canceled shore excursions?

Disney Cruise Line said Port Adventures booked for Castaway Cay will be automatically canceled and removed from guest accounts, and pre-paid excursions for the private-island stop have been canceled and refunded. Margaritaville at Sea said pre-purchased Nassau shore excursions will automatically transfer to the new Nassau date.

Why would a cruise skip a private island like Castaway Cay or CocoCay?

Private-island calls can be canceled when wind and sea conditions make docking, pier access, or tender operations unsafe. Disney Cruise Line cited “anticipated strong winds and adverse sea conditions” in its decision to drop the Castaway Cay call.

Are ships still sailing even if ports like Nassau or CocoCay are removed?

Yes. In these cases, voyages continue but with adjusted port days, extended time in Nassau, or added sea days to avoid the worst conditions and keep ships in safer waters while the weather pattern moves through.