Winter Storm Hernando Delays New York-Area Cruise Departures

Winter Storm Hernando forced cruise operators to delay departures and adjust itineraries over the weekend, with severe snow, high winds, and rough seas limiting safe vessel movements in the New York and New Jersey harbor area.

Storm conditions made departures unsafe in the New York area

The National Weather Service forecast roughly 12 to 24 inches of snow across parts of the region, along with wind gusts in the 40 to 70 mph range that could reduce visibility. Forecast impacts also included power outages and moderate coastal flooding, conditions that can affect port operations and navigation in and out of the harbor.

Snowfall totals in New York City were significant, including around 15 inches reported in Central Park during the event. With hazardous maritime conditions and rough seas beyond the breakwaters, cruise lines held ships in port until weather and traffic restrictions eased.

Odyssey of the Seas and MSC Meraviglia delayed from their home terminals

Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas was scheduled to depart Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, for a seven-night Bahamas sailing. The 169,000-gross-ton Quantum-Ultra-class ship, which can carry up to 5,510 guests, remained docked as the storm intensified and ultimately stayed alongside until conditions improved late Monday evening.

The sailing was originally set to include calls in Port Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau. While Royal Caribbean advised guests to monitor updates in its app, itinerary changes had not been finalized while the ship was still in port, and the late start raised the likelihood that one or more port visits could shift. After the storm eased, ship-tracking data later showed Odyssey of the Seas progressing south along the U.S. Atlantic coast toward the Bahamas.

MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia also remained docked through the height of the storm after a planned Sunday, February 22 departure from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal for a seven-night Bahamas itinerary. The 171,600-gross-ton vessel can accommodate up to 5,642 guests, and passengers reported schedule changes appearing in the line’s app as the week was reorganized around a later-than-planned departure.

In the revised plan shared through the app, Port Canaveral and MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve were shifted to later in the week, and Nassau was removed from the itinerary. Passenger Sean Johannessen told Cruise Fever that the captain announced the port would reopen at 4:00 p.m., allowing the ship to get underway once vessel traffic restrictions were lifted, and MSC Meraviglia later departed as conditions improved.

Why harbor restrictions can ripple through cruise schedules

Even when conditions are manageable at the pier, the biggest constraints often occur in approach channels and open waters outside the harbor. High winds and rough seas can make maneuvering unsafe for large passenger vessels, and port authorities may restrict traffic until conditions moderate.

During this storm, vessel movements in the Port of New York and New Jersey were limited as crews waited for safer winds and improved visibility. Clearing ice and debris from shipping channels can also be part of the process before normal operations resume.

Other sailings pressed on or rerouted around the weather

• Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway departed on schedule from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on Sunday for a 12-night Caribbean sailing. Guests encountered strong winds and rough seas early in the voyage, and while no itinerary changes had been confirmed, adjustments remained possible depending on conditions and ship speed.
• Norwegian Breakaway’s itinerary includes Puerto Plata, San Juan, Tortola, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas, with a planned return to New York on Friday, March 6. The ship is a 145,655-gross-ton Breakaway-class vessel.
• Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral on Sunday for a weeklong Eastern Caribbean cruise, canceled a scheduled visit to CocoCay due to rough seas and unfavorable conditions expected on Monday, February 23. Guests were given an extra sea day, with extended time planned in St. Thomas later in the week.
• Star of the Seas is now scheduled to arrive in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, earlier than planned on Wednesday, February 25. Royal Caribbean said pre-booked shore excursions for CocoCay were automatically canceled and refunded.

What guests experienced while ships waited out the storm

With ships held in port longer than planned, many guests spent extra time onboard rather than beginning their sea days on schedule. Photos shared by passengers on social media showed decks coated in snow, an unusual scene for vessels preparing to sail to warmer destinations.

On MSC Meraviglia, passengers reported that dining, entertainment, and other services continued operating during the delay, allowing guests to use onboard venues while departure timing remained uncertain. Cruise lines relied heavily on onboard messaging and mobile apps to distribute schedule updates as weather windows opened.

Travel disruption extended beyond the terminals

The storm also affected regional transportation, with flight cancellations across the Northeast preventing some fly-to-cruise travelers from reaching embarkation ports. For travelers still en route to terminals, real-time notifications were especially important as departure times and port-day lineups changed.

With Odyssey of the Seas and MSC Meraviglia eventually cleared to sail, attention now shifts to how remaining port calls fit into shortened timelines and what additional updates cruise lines provide as the voyages continue toward the Bahamas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why were cruises delayed in New York and New Jersey?

Winter Storm Hernando brought heavy snowfall, strong winds, and hazardous maritime conditions that made it unsafe for large vessels to navigate harbor channels and open waters outside the breakwaters. Vessel movement restrictions in the Port of New York and New Jersey stayed in place until conditions improved.

Did MSC Meraviglia’s itinerary change because of the delay?

Yes. Passengers reported updates in the MSC app showing Nassau removed from the itinerary, with Port Canaveral and MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve shifted later in the week after the ship’s delayed departure from Brooklyn.

Were onboard services available while ships were held in port?

Yes. Passengers on MSC Meraviglia reported that dining, entertainment, and other onboard services continued operating while the ship remained docked and waited for the harbor to reopen.

Did any cruises depart on time despite the storm?

Yes. Norwegian Breakaway departed on schedule from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal for a 12-night Caribbean sailing, though guests encountered rough seas and strong winds early in the voyage.

Why did Star of the Seas skip CocoCay?

Royal Caribbean canceled the CocoCay call due to rough seas and unfavorable conditions expected near the destination on Monday, February 23. The line added an extra sea day and extended time in St. Thomas, and it said pre-booked CocoCay shore excursions were automatically canceled and refunded.