Oasis of the Seas Returns to Nassau for Medical Evacuations

Updated September 28, 2026

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas returned to New Jersey on Sunday, Sept. 20, approximately eight hours late after diverting to Nassau for two passengers who required emergency medical care, including a 7-year-old child. The delay carried over into the ship’s next seven-night Bahamas cruise and resulted in the cancellation of its Sept. 22 call at Port Canaveral.

The 226,838-gross-ton ship had been scheduled to arrive at Cape Liberty in Bayonne at 6 a.m. Its late return affected disembarkation and embarkation for the next sailing, as well as guests’ onward travel plans.

Turnback to Nassau

The first medical emergency developed early Friday morning, Sept. 18, while Oasis of the Seas was sailing north from the Bahamas near the end of a seven-night voyage. Ship tracking showed the vessel turning around at approximately 2:30 a.m. off the northeast coast of the Abaco Islands.

The ship was about 120 miles northeast of Nassau, near Treasure Cay, when it reversed course for the Bahamian capital, which had the nearest hospital. During the diversion, a second passenger, identified as a 7-year-old child, also required emergency medical care.

Tracking data showed Oasis of the Seas reaching Nassau at around 10 a.m., roughly seven and a half hours after turning back. In a shipboard letter, Royal Caribbean told guests that its medical staff had determined that “two of our guests needed urgent medical attention” and that it had “successfully debarked” them so they could receive additional care.

The vessel resumed its voyage shortly before 1 p.m. Friday. Royal Caribbean has not disclosed the nature of either emergency or provided updates on the passengers’ conditions. There has been no indication the cases were connected.

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

Impact on the next cruise

For passengers joining the Sept. 20 departure, Royal Caribbean issued revised arrival windows and required everyone to be checked in and aboard by 9:30 p.m. The delayed turnaround pushed embarkation back by approximately seven to eight hours.

The Sept. 22 Port Canaveral visit, originally scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., was canceled and replaced with a sea day. Royal Caribbean-booked excursions for the Florida call were canceled. Refunds were posted initially as onboard credit, with any remaining balance due to be returned to the card on file after the cruise.

Royal Caribbean also told guests it would provide nonrefundable onboard credit based on accommodation category. Interior and ocean-view staterooms were allocated $100, balcony and Neighborhood staterooms $150, and suites $200. Cabins occupied by third or fourth guests were allocated an additional $50 for each extra passenger.

The revised itinerary called for Oasis of the Seas to reach Perfect Day at CocoCay at 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 23, 45 minutes earlier than initially planned, while retaining its 5 p.m. departure.

Travel assistance for arriving guests

Royal Caribbean said passengers who booked air travel through Flights by Royal would have their reservations adjusted automatically and receive updated details by email. Guests with independently booked flights were directed to contact their airlines.

The cruise line offered to 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 also received 60 minutes of complimentary internet access through the Royal Caribbean app so guests could contact airlines, hotels and family members.