Key Aspects:
- Vision of the Seas will skip her visit to Sydney, Nova Scotia on Tuesday, October 28 due to bad weather.
- High winds and waves are impacting the region, and the ship will instead overnight in Halifax.
- The impacted sailing is the ship’s October 23 departure, but her return to Baltimore on November 1 is unaffected.
With many cruisers’ eyes focused on Jamaica and Hurricane Melissa, it’s important to remember that weather-related itinerary changes aren’t always due to hurricanes. In fact, such changes can happen anywhere when rough weather coincides with a cruise ship’s route.
This is exactly what’s happening to Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas. The 78,700-gross-ton ship is homeported from Baltimore, Maryland and departed on Thursday, October 23, 2025 for a 9-night Canada and New England itinerary.
The ship visited Boston on Saturday, October 25, followed by St. John on Sunday, October 26. After a day at sea, two more port visits are on the original itinerary:
Sydney, Nova Scotia on Tuesday, October 28 and Halifax on Wednesday, October 29. Vision of the Seas will be back in Baltimore on Saturday, November 1.
Unfortunately, a developing storm in the northwestern Atlantic is impacting the region and the ship will be unable to complete the itinerary as planned.
“We have been monitoring unfavorable weather conditions developing along our route toward Sydney, Nova Scotia,” a letter delivered to guests’ staterooms read. “As a result, we’ll have to skip our visit to Sydney, and now we’ll arrive in Halifax, Nova Scotia a day early to enjoy an extra day in port.”
Vision of the Seas will now enjoy an overnight visit to Halifax, from 2 p.m. Monday afternoon through 6 p.m. Tuesday evening. After leaving Halifax, the ship will remain at sea as she makes her way back to Baltimore.
As is standard operating procedure when a port visit must be cancelled, all pre-paid shore tours booked through Royal Caribbean for the visit to Sydney will be returned as refundable onboard credit to guests’ SeaPass accounts.
Additional tours for Halifax can be booked at the Shore Excursions desk portside on Deck 5, just aft of the Casino Royale and near the Guest Services desk.
Canada and New England cruise itineraries are very popular in the autumn months for their spectacular fall foliage viewing. Vision of the Seas‘ current sailing is her last autumn itinerary for the season.
While the ship will still be sailing from Baltimore for another year, she will be offering Caribbean, Southeast Coast, and Bahamas itineraries through the winter season, with Bermuda itineraries in the spring and summer as well. Her next Canada departure is not until August 27, 2026.
Strong Winds and High Waves Forcing Change
The weather system currently affecting Vision of the Seas is generating strong winds and high waves near Sydney, on the eastern tip of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
According to Windy.com, winds in the region are currently 20-25 knots (23-29 miles per hour), which can create unstable conditions for a ship to enter challenging harbors or dock safely.
Winds are expected to strengthen into early Tuesday morning, just when Vision of the Seas would have been approaching the port.
Read Also: What to Do Onboard a Cruise Ship in Bad Weather
The direction of the wind, an individual ship’s profile, and tidal impacts can all be part of a decision to reroute a cruise ship or cancel a port of call.
The safety of the ship, her guests, and all crew members is always the top priority for any cruise line. A smoother sailing away from harsh weather is not only safer, but is also more comfortable for a better cruise vacation experience.
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While guests may be understandably disappointed with the change, Royal Caribbean is doing everything possible to provide a fun and enjoyable cruise, and crew members will do all they can to ensure everyone aboard Vision of the Seas enjoys their sailing.
