Key Aspects:
- Royal Caribbean has been able to extend Oasis of the Seas‘ unanticipated visit to Halifax to a full 24-hour overnight stay.
- The Nova Scotia port is the only destination now on the ship’s rerouted 7-night itinerary instead of the original Florida and Bahamas visits.
- No changes have been made to the compensation offered to guests and the ship will return to New Jersey on Sunday, October 25 as planned.
Following a last-minute itinerary alteration now sending Oasis of the Seas to Canada instead of Florida and the Bahamas for the ship’s Sunday, October 18, 2026 departure from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, Royal Caribbean has informed guests that their single port of call will be able to be longer than planned.
Cruise Hive already reported on the dramatic itinerary shift for the 5,602-guest ship. Oasis of the Seas was to have spent the 7-night sailing visiting Port Canaveral, Perfect Day CocoCay, and Nassau but was rerouted to Halifax, Nova Scotia to avoid severe weather off the eastern seaboard, including high winds and strong swells.
Guests were notified of the change the evening before departure, which caused some disappointment for travelers who were hoping for a tropical getaway instead of chilly autumn weather.
What was even more disappointing for guests, even those who understood the need for the weather-related itinerary change, was the fact that the single port visit on the revised itinerary was just 14 hours overnight. The ship was to have been docked in Halifax from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20 until 8 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21.
Now, Royal Caribbean has further notified guests onboard that the visit has been extended.
“By continuing to work through our amended schedule, we’ve been able to secure additional flexibility for guests during our overnight stay,” the letter delivered to guests’ staterooms read. “We will now be able to extend our stay until 6:00 PM on Wednesday, October 21, offering a full day to explore Halifax.”
The ship’s captain also announced the port visit extension onboard, and the Royal Caribbean app has been updated with confirmed details.
The cruise line notes that the arrival time of Tuesday at 6 p.m. is unchanged. This gives guests an extra 10 hours to explore the maritime port and home of Canada’s Atlantic Fleet, with opportunities for shore excursions, dining ashore, and other activities.
Guests can book tours through the Royal Caribbean app or by visiting the Shore Excursions Desk on the starboard side midship, across from the Schooner Bar.
There have been no further changes to the ship’s now single-port itinerary or to her return to Cape Liberty on Sunday, October 25 at approximately 6 a.m.
AIS tracking confirms the ship has departed New Jersey as planned and is currently en route to Halifax. Other than her now-longer stop in Nova Scotia, the remainder of the cruise will be sea days.
Compensation Unchanged
No changes have been made to the compensation already offered to guests onboard Oasis of the Seas. Guests are receiving $200 (USD) of onboard credit per guest for inside and outside staterooms, $300 per guest for balcony staterooms, and $600 per guest for suites, along with an extra $100 per person for third or higher guests booked in the same staterooms.
Travelers are also receiving a 50% future cruise credit per paid guest for another Royal Caribbean sailing, with a book by expiration date of October 18, 2027 as a gesture of goodwill from the cruise line. The future cruise credit will be issued by November 1, 2026.
