Hurricane Humberto, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, forced multiple cruise ships to reroute in late September 2025, according to reports from Cruise Hive. Tropical Depression 9 (expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda) also contributed to the chaos. This article breaks down the biggest itinerary changes across Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney, what compensation passengers can expect, and how to handle a last-minute reroute with your family.
Hurricane Humberto reached Category 5 strength with 160 mph winds, triggering widespread cruise itinerary changes.
Over a dozen ships swapped tropical ports for Canadian cities, Mexican coasts, or extra sea days. Compensation varies by line and cabin, but most lines offered onboard credit and future cruise credits. If you’re booked on a fall cruise, check your specific sailing — not all changes are equal.
| Ship | Original Destination | New Destination | Compensation | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symphony of the Seas | Bahamas (7-night) | Sydney & Halifax, Nova Scotia | $75–$200 OBC + future cruise credit | Check your email for the credit code — it’s prorated to one day of cruise fare. |
| Liberty of the Seas | Bermuda | Saint John, NB (overnight) | $100–$200 OBC + $25 per extra guest | Book a shore excursion early — the Bay of Fundy tours fill fast. |
| Star of the Seas | Eastern Caribbean | Western Caribbean (Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel) | Shore excursion refunds within 14 business days | Bring a snorkel mask — Roatan’s reef is world-class. |
| Carnival Venezia | Grand Turk | New York City (early arrival) | Not specified; unused port fees refunded | Plan for cooler weather — pack a jacket for NYC in October. |
| Disney Wish | Nassau + Castaway Cay | Castaway Cay moved to Saturday; Nassau skipped | Nassau excursions refunded to onboard account | Castaway Cay’s family beach is perfect for little ones — Lily and Ethan loved the water slides. |
Symphony of the Seas: Bahamas to Nova Scotia
Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas completely swapped its 7-night Bahamas itinerary for a Canadian adventure. The ship now calls on Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia, instead of the tropical islands. Guests received onboard credits ranging from $75 for interior cabins to $200 for suites, plus a future cruise credit prorated to one day of cruise fare.
Perfect Day at CocoCay, Nassau, and a sea day. All pre-booked shore excursions were cancelled and refunded as onboard credit.
A full day in Sydney, with access to the Cabot Trail and Fortress of Louisbourg. The ship docked at the marine terminal, a short walk from downtown.
Two days in Halifax allowed for the Titanic exhibit at the Maritime Museum and a whale-watching tour. The overnight gave families a relaxed pace — Ethan loved the tidal bore rafting.
Liberty of the Seas: Bermuda to Saint John, New Brunswick
Hurricane Humberto’s path toward Bermuda forced Liberty of the Seas to cancel its Bermuda call and instead head to Saint John, New Brunswick, for an overnight stay. The compensation package includes $100–$200 onboard credit per cabin, plus $25 per additional guest. The upside: Saint John’s Bay of Fundy offers the highest tides in the world.
Saint John’s cruise terminal is at 111 Water Street. The city’s free shuttle runs from the terminal to the market square every 15 minutes — skip the overpriced taxi.
Star of the Seas: Eastern to Western Caribbean
Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, switched from its Eastern Caribbean itinerary to a Western loop on September 28, 2025. Instead of St. Thomas and St. Kitts, it now calls on Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel. The inaugural visit to St. Kitts was postponed to October 23. Pre-paid shore excursions for the cancelled ports are refunded within 14 business days, according to Cruise Hive.
Carnival Venezia: Grand Turk to New York City
Carnival Venezia cancelled its last port of call, Grand Turk, and instead headed north to New York City. The ship arrived in NYC on October 1 as scheduled, but with an extra sea day. Unused port fees and taxes will be refunded; no additional onboard credit was announced. For families, the extra sea day meant more time for the water slides and the kids’ club — Michael appreciated the relaxed pace.
Disney Wish: Nassau Cancelled, Castaway Cay Rescheduled
Disney Wish skipped Nassau entirely on its September 26 sailing. The original plan had Nassau on Friday and Castaway Cay on Saturday; instead, Castaway Cay was moved to Saturday, and Friday became a sea day. All Nassau excursions were cancelled and refunded to onboard accounts. Castaway Cay reservations were automatically transferred to the new date.
If you had a private excursion booked in Nassau independently, Disney won’t refund it — you’ll need to contact the tour operator directly. Always check your travel insurance policy for weather-related cancellations.
Practical Section: How to Handle a Cruise Itinerary Change
When a hurricane forces a reroute, the first thing is to check your email and the cruise line’s app for updates. Most lines send notifications within 24 hours. Here’s what to do next.
Check Your Compensation
Onboard credit amounts vary by cabin category and line. Royal Caribbean typically offers $75–$200 per cabin, plus future cruise credits. Carnival and Disney often refund unused port fees and taxes. Read the fine print: some credits must be used on the current sailing, while future cruise credits are good for up to a year.
Review Shore Excursions
Pre-paid excursions through the cruise line are automatically refunded to your onboard account. If you booked independently, contact the operator immediately. For the new ports, book excursions through the ship to avoid missing the departure time — the ship won’t wait.
Consider Travel Insurance
If you purchased travel insurance before the storm was named by the National Hurricane Center, you may be covered for itinerary changes. After naming, it’s generally not covered. For future cruises, consider a policy that includes “cancel for any reason” coverage, especially if you’re sailing during hurricane season.
If you find yourself with an unscheduled overnight in a port like Saint John, you might want to book a hotel last minute. Our interactive map of hotels and rentals can help you compare options quickly, especially if you’re considering extending your stay after the cruise.
Before You Go: Hurricane Season Cruise Planning Questions
What should I do if my cruise is rerouted?
Stay calm and review the new itinerary. Most lines offer onboard credit to compensate for the change. Check your email for details and call the cruise line if you have questions about shore excursions or refunds.
If you’re traveling with kids, explain the change as an adventure — Lily and Ethan were excited to see a new place. The extra sea days can be a bonus for family time.
Will I get a refund if I don’t want the new itinerary?
Generally, cruise lines do not offer full refunds for itinerary changes caused by weather. They compensate with onboard credit and future cruise credits. However, you may be able to rebook to a different sailing if you’re within the cancellation window (usually 48–72 hours before departure).
Check your specific cruise contract. Some lines, like Royal Caribbean, allow you to cancel and receive a future cruise credit if the change is significant.
Can I buy travel insurance after a storm is named?
No. Travel insurance policies typically exclude coverage for named storms. If you’re booking a cruise during hurricane season, buy insurance as soon as you make the deposit — before any storm names are announced.
Look for policies that cover “trip interruption” due to weather, even if it’s not a named storm. Some credit cards also offer trip cancellation benefits.
What’s the best time to cruise to avoid hurricanes?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak in August–October. The safest months are December through April. If you’re set on a fall cruise, choose a Western Caribbean itinerary (Mexico, Honduras) which is less likely to be affected than the Eastern Caribbean or Bahamas.
Also consider ships that depart from West Coast ports, such as Los Angeles or Seattle, which are rarely impacted by Atlantic hurricanes.
When the Storm Passes, the Journey Continues
Itinerary changes are never ideal, but cruise lines prioritize safety above all else. The compensation and new ports can turn a disappointment into a discovery — whether it’s the Bay of Fundy’s tides or the skyline of New York. For our family, the reroute reminded us that the best adventures often come unplanned. If you’re weighing whether to rebook or stick with the change, our guide to Canada’s growing cruise connections might help you see the upside.
References
Cruise Hive. “List of All Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Changes from Developing Storms.” 2025. ↗
Cruise Radio. “Hurricane Humberto & Tropical System: Cruise Itinerary Changes September 2025.” 2025. ↗
For more on how hurricanes affect Caribbean travel, read our piece on how storms reshape tourism in the region. If you’re thinking about a future Bahamas trip, the new Royal Caribbean beach club in the Bahamas might be a reason to rebook. And if you’re curious about how visa-free travel is expanding, the latest updates could change your next cruise destination.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.