Bermuda cruise calls shift as Tropical Storm Jerry lingers

Published on Oct 11, 2025, 12:55 pm CDT

5 min read

Royal Caribbean and other brands are adjusting weekend Bermuda itineraries as Tropical Storm Jerry complicates Atlantic seas and schedules. The Bermuda Weather Service has labeled Jerry a potential threat as the system wobbles north of the islands, prompting at least one confirmed reroute and further itinerary monitoring across fleets. Here is what is officially changed, how shore-excursion refunds are handled when a port drops, and the weather thresholds that could drive additional switches.

Key points

Why it matters: Bermuda overnights are being replaced by Canada calls to avoid unsafe seas.
Travel impact: Expect revised port lineups and shortened calls, with automatic refunds for canceled ship-run tours.
What's next: More swaps are possible if tropical-storm-force winds or high swells persist near Bermuda.
Liberty of the Seas is confirmed to skip Bermuda for Saint John, New Brunswick.
Carnival previously diverted Venezia to Canada on a Bermuda run, signaling the likely fallback pattern.

Snapshot

As of October 11, 2025, the Bermuda Weather Service lists Tropical Storm Jerry as a potential threat, with small-craft warnings around the island and a track that has wobbled near Bermuda's maritime approaches. Royal Caribbean has confirmed that Liberty of the Seas' October 11 departure from Cape Liberty will forgo the planned overnight at Royal Naval Dockyard in favor of an overnight at Saint John, New Brunswick. Earlier this month, Carnival Venezia also swapped a Bermuda itinerary for Canada due to stormy Atlantic conditions, a pattern lines frequently use when weather clutters the mid-Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center's latest bulletins note Jerry's organization remains disheveled, but rough seas and fringe winds can still disrupt safe pier approaches, tendering, and shoreside operations.

Background

Bermuda itineraries rely on a long ocean crossing that is sensitive to swell direction and wind. Even when tropical systems remain offshore, persistent swell bands and gusty gradients can make docking at Royal Naval Dockyard unsafe or reduce berth availability. Bermuda's transport agencies also scale back ferries and coastal operations when winds stiffen, further complicating passenger logistics ashore. Cruise brands typically prioritize route safety by replacing Bermuda with closer New England or Canadian ports, or by flipping to Bahamas calls on select departures when sailing time and berth access allow. Under standard terms, ship-operated tours are refunded automatically if a port is canceled by the line due to weather, while independently booked activities require travelers to work with third parties.

Latest developments

Confirmed Bermuda cruise changes this weekend

Royal Caribbean confirms Liberty of the Seas, departing October 11 from Cape Liberty, will not call Bermuda and will sail north to Saint John, New Brunswick, with an overnight in port. Guests were notified directly. No across-the-board compensation beyond tour and tax refunds is indicated in the notice.

Separately, Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Venezia, which departed October 1 on a Bermuda itinerary, substituted Saint John and Halifax due to storm conditions earlier this month, foreshadowing the current reroute pattern lines may use again if seas deteriorate.

Other weather-related cruise adjustments to watch

Royal Caribbean has also adjusted itineraries elsewhere in the region in recent days because of Jerry and related systems, including a Star of the Seas port swap in the Eastern Caribbean and schedule tweaks on select sailings, underscoring the brand's willingness to move quickly around unstable forecasts. These are not Bermuda calls, but they reflect active weather monitoring that could extend to additional Bermuda runs if conditions worsen.

Bermuda marine and storm status

The Bermuda Weather Service has issued Tropical Update Bulletins flagging Jerry as a potential threat, and has active small-craft warnings. While NHC notes Jerry has struggled to maintain tropical organization, fringe gale conditions and long-period swells near approaches can still force port or schedule changes.

Analysis

Expect cruise directors and shoreside operations teams to continue prioritizing routes that avoid sustained winds above tropical-storm thresholds and long-period swell that complicates docking at King's Wharf. Technically, tropical-storm-force winds begin at 34 knots, a level that often prompts lines to rethink close-quarters maneuvers near piers, even if skies look manageable. Bermuda issues small-craft warnings when mean winds are 20 to 33 knots or seas are nine feet or greater, a useful proxy for when tendering becomes uncomfortable and when ferry support ashore scales back. When warnings escalate or swells run cross to the pier, lines may swap to Saint John, Halifax, or Boston on short notice, or pivot south to Nassau or a private Bahamian call if time and berthing line up. For travelers, the practical takeaway is to watch the BWS bulletins and the line's itinerary updates rather than relying on static brochures. Jerry's current disheveled state is good news, but until sea state and winds ease in the approaches, further weekend shuffles remain possible.

Final thoughts

If you are booked on a Bermuda cruise in the next few days, plan for cooler-weather alternatives and check your cruise planner for automatic excursion refunds when ports change. Keep critical items in your day bag, monitor ship messages, and watch the Bermuda Weather Service and NHC bulletins. With crews actively routing around rough seas, many sailings will still deliver solid port time, even if that means trading pink sand for Saint John's waterfront. The core goal is a safe voyage, then the best possible substitute when a Bermuda cruise needs a weather detour.