Oasis of the Seas Returns to Nassau for Medical Evacuations

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas returned to Nassau on Friday, Sept. 18, to evacuate two critically ill passengers, including a 7-year-old child, delaying its scheduled return to Cape Liberty in New Jersey by about eight hours. The disruption also pushed back embarkation for the ship’s Sept. 20, 2026, departure and forced the cancellation of that sailing’s Port Canaveral call.

The 226,838-gross-ton ship is now due in Bayonne at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday, with disembarkation beginning around 2:30 p.m. Its original arrival time was 6 a.m. Guests on the inbound cruise must rearrange flights and other travel plans.

Turnback to Nassau

Oasis of the Seas was sailing north from the Bahamas when its medical team determined that the child required hospital treatment. The ship was about 120 miles northeast of Nassau, near Treasure Cay, when it reversed course because Nassau was the closest location with the necessary facilities.

A second passenger became critically ill while the ship was returning to the Bahamian capital. The vessel resumed its voyage shortly before 1 p.m. Friday. Royal Caribbean has not disclosed the nature of either medical emergency, provided updates on the passengers’ conditions or established whether the cases were related.

“We successfully debarked our guests so they could receive additional medical care,” Royal Caribbean told passengers in a shipboard letter detailing the revised arrival schedule.

The 1,187-foot vessel, which can carry as many as 6,699 passengers, was proceeding toward Bayonne at approximately 20 to 20.5 knots. The captain told guests that all available engines were operating at full load, but the distance to New Jersey prevented the ship from recovering the lost time.

What the delay means for guests

Passengers who booked air travel through Flights by Royal will have their reservations adjusted automatically and receive updated details by email. Guests with independently booked flights must contact their airlines directly, but Royal Caribbean will reimburse eligible change fees of up to $200 per person for domestic travel and $400 per person for international travel after reviewing receipts and supporting documentation. Each stateroom will also receive 60 minutes of complimentary internet access through the Royal Caribbean app, allowing guests to contact airlines, hotels and family members.

The late arrival will delay check-in for the next seven-night Bahamas cruise by seven to eight hours. Passengers have received revised arrival windows and must be checked in and aboard by 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Port Canaveral, originally scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, has been removed from the itinerary and replaced with a sea day. Royal Caribbean-booked excursions for the Florida call have been canceled, with refunds initially posted as onboard credit; any remaining balance after the cruise will be returned to the card on file.

Royal Caribbean is providing additional nonrefundable onboard credit by accommodation category. Interior and ocean-view staterooms will receive $100, balcony and Neighborhood staterooms will receive $150, and suites will receive $200. Cabins occupied by third or fourth guests will receive another $50 for each additional passenger.

The ship is now scheduled to reach Perfect Day at CocoCay at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, 45 minutes earlier than originally planned, while retaining its 5 p.m. departure. No further changes have been announced for the remainder of the sailing.