Key Aspects:
- Guests boarding Legend of the Seas on Sunday, October 4, 2026 in Barcelona have been alerted to a 2-hour embarkation delay.
- Weather conditions are delaying the ship’s return to Barcelona and the area is under several rainfall and strong wind hazard alerts.
- There have not yet been any confirmed changes to the 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise other than the delayed embarkation.
Poor weather has been affecting cruise ships all over the globe in recent weeks, and one of the newest, largest ships in the world isn’t exempt from weather-related delays.
Guests booked on the Sunday, October 4, 2026 departure of Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas have now been notified that their embarkation is delayed two hours as the ship is fighting rough weather on her return to Barcelona at the end of the previous sailing.
“Due to weather conditions impacting our ship’s return to Barcelona, we will need to delay tomorrow’s boarding,” the email, sent on Saturday evening, read. “As a result, embarkation will now begin at approximately 1:00 PM.”
Originally, Legend of the Seas was scheduled to begin embarkation at approximately 11 a.m. Now, all arrival times for the 5,610-guest, Icon-class ship are pushed back by two hours, with the latest arrival time at 5:30 p.m. instead of 3:30 p.m. as previously planned.
The email notes that all guests must be checked in at the cruise terminal by 6 p.m. and onboard the ship no later than 6:30 p.m. so the ship can depart.
Early arrivals are not recommended because the terminal will not be open for embarking guests before the new times, and Royal Caribbean will not accommodate early arrivals.
“Arriving ahead of time may result in being turned away as there will be no available seating,” the email explains. “Heavy rains are expected, and it will be uncomfortable waiting outside.”
Guests are urged to have their luggage tags firmly attached to their bags and have their online check-in forms ready for inspection as they arrive to help boarding move more efficiently.
Legend of the Seas‘ October 4 sailing is a 7-night Western Mediterranean itinerary with visits planned for Palma de Mallorca on Monday, October 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Marseille on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; La Spezia on Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Civitavecchia on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Naples on Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 10 is planned as a day at sea as the ship returns to Barcelona for debarkation on Sunday, October 11.
As of press time there are no confirmed changes to the planned port visits or other adjustments to the sailing after the delayed embarkation.
Weather Update in Barcelona
According to the State Meteorological Agency of Spain, Barcelona is under an “extreme risk” warning for heavy rainfall from 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 3 through 11:59 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, exactly when Legend of the Seas is returning to the port.
During that time frame, precipitation of up to 3-4 inches of rain per hour may be expected, and a total accumulation of 7-8 inches over six hours may be possible.
Coastal areas, including the cruise port, may be especially impacted by swells and strong winds. A storm hazard for Barcelona during the same time frame notes that wind gusts of up to 90-120 kilometers per hour (55-75 mph) may be expected, along with the potential for hail.
Cruise lines always take weather alerts seriously, as sudden changes can lead to ships breaking mooring lines and drifting dangerously. Cruise Hive reported recently that Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady broke her lines in Rhodes on September 30, 2026, hitting three boats as she drifted.
Fortunately, there were no injuries or damage reported in that incident.
