Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas Finally Departs After Snowstorm Strands Passengers
Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas has finally set sail after being stranded for days due to an intense snowstorm that walloped the northeastern United States. The cruise ship, which departed from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, is now cruising along the Florida coast of the Atlantic Ocean en route to the Bahamas, according to ship tracking site Cruise Mapper.
Snowstorm Causes Major Delays
The severe weather event, which brought up to 30 centimetres of snow and strong wind gusts, forced the Odyssey of the Seas to delay its departure originally scheduled for Sunday. High winds and rough seas made it impossible for the vessel to leave port safely, as reported by Royal Caribbean Blog. This left thousands of passengers stranded onboard, though all services including dining, entertainment, and staterooms remained operational during the wait.
Winter Wonderland Aboard the Ship
Photos shared on social media by passengers revealed a surreal winter scene aboard the cruise ship. Fresh white snow blanketed the pool, deck, and outdoor furniture, creating an unusual sight for a vessel typically associated with tropical destinations. One passenger humorously noted on X, "No deck chair hogs on that deck, or anyone in the pool!!" alongside images of the snow-covered areas.
Another social media user shared pictures of his father's veranda completely covered in snow, captioning the post, "what a crazy day my dad is on @royalcaribbean Odyssey of the seas with snow on the verandah still stuck in New Jersey!" The visual documentation provided a stark contrast to the usual cruise experience.
Multiple Ships Affected by Weather
The Odyssey of the Seas wasn't the only cruise ship impacted by the weekend snowstorm. MSC Cruises' Meraviglia was also docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal when the storm hit, with its Sunday afternoon departure similarly delayed according to Cruise Fever. Like the Royal Caribbean vessel, the Meraviglia maintained all onboard services for stranded passengers while waiting for conditions to improve. The MSC ship is currently on a week-long cruise to the Bahamas.
Journey Resumes Toward Warmer Climates
After the weather cleared, the Odyssey of the Seas was able to begin its journey southward. The ship's current trajectory takes it along the Atlantic coast toward Florida before continuing to its Bahamian destination. Passengers who experienced the unexpected winter conditions aboard the cruise ship now continue their voyage toward more traditional cruise weather, leaving behind the unusual spectacle of a snow-covered deck at sea.
