Symphony of the Seas delay extends to October 14

Published on Oct 14, 2025, 7:45 pm CDTUpdated on Oct 14, 2025, 7:51 pm CDT

5 min read

Bad weather forced Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas to stay docked at Cape Liberty in Bayonne instead of sailing for the Bahamas. The same nor'easter that drenched the Northeast also triggered emergency declarations and airport disruptions across the New York area. Royal Caribbean has told guests the ship will now depart on October 14, two days behind schedule, and a trimmed itinerary is likely as the vessel makes up time at sea. Travelers flying into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), or LaGuardia Airport (LGA) should expect knock-on delays and monitor airline alerts.

Key points

Why it matters: A two-day late departure cascades into a shorter cruise and missed ports.
Travel impact: NYC-area airports reported delays and cancellations tied to the storm.
What's next: Departure is planned for October 14, with itinerary adjustments expected.
Pilotage and port conditions constrained departures from New York Harbor.
New York and New Jersey issued storm-related emergency declarations.

Snapshot

Symphony of the Seas remained alongside at Cape Liberty as a powerful nor'easter battered the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast with strong winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding. Multiple New York-area cruise departures paused while authorities and pilots assessed seas and harbor conditions. Royal Caribbean indicated the ship aims to depart on October 14, pending marine safety factors. The weather also slowed air travel at EWR, JFK, and LGA, where the FAA issued traffic management initiatives during the peak of the storm. Guests should watch for Royal Caribbean updates in the app and email, and check airline status before heading to the airport. For broader disruptions, see our daily operations brief, Flight delays and airport impacts: October 14, 2025.

Background

The nor'easter pushed up the coast October 12 to 14 with widespread flooding, strong onshore winds, and hazardous seas. New Jersey entered a statewide emergency on October 11 ahead of expected impacts, and New York authorities later announced emergency measures for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. Local reports noted port constraints and suspended pilotage during the worst conditions, which effectively kept large ships in port. One storm-related fatality was reported in Brooklyn after debris struck a pedestrian. With seas improving, harbor movements are gradually resuming, though cruise lines are trimming calls to stay within schedule windows. Earlier this week, multiple New York sailings warned guests about potential delays and itinerary changes.

Latest developments

Symphony of the Seas to depart October 14 with trimmed calls

Royal Caribbean communications to guests indicate Symphony of the Seas will target an October 14 morning departure from Cape Liberty, contingent on marine conditions and pilotage availability. Trade outlets report the revised plan reduces the original Bahamas run to a single call, prioritizing Perfect Day at CocoCay to preserve the core experience while maintaining a timely return. Port and pilotage limitations, combined with heavy swell offshore, drove the two-day delay. Guests should watch the Royal Caribbean app for final boarding and all-aboard times, and expect refunds or credits per the line's policy for missed ports. Flyers connecting through EWR, JFK, or LGA should allow extra buffer, since storm-related delays can ripple for 24 to 48 hours after the weather clears. For harbor context from earlier in the event, see our New York Harbor roundup here: New York Harbor, pilotage suspended through Tuesday morning.

Analysis

Weather holds like this are rare but becoming more visible as lines prioritize safety margins during shoulder-season coastal storms. The decisive factor was not just rainfall, it was sea state and pilotage availability in New York Harbor. Even if winds ease onshore, long-period swell and restricted visibility can keep pilotage suspended, which legally prevents large ships from departing. Given a seven-night schedule, a two-day delay eliminates the slack needed to fit three calls plus a return up the coast. Concentrating on one marquee stop is a pragmatic trade-off, minimizing fuel burn and avoiding tight turns that could invite further weather risk. Air travel recovery typically lags the storm by a day or two, so inbound cruisers should build buffers, consider same-day flight changes, and keep travel insurance handy for interruption claims. Operationally, expect a smooth sail south if the October 14 weather window holds, followed by a faster-than-usual northbound leg to keep the turnaround on time.

Final thoughts

If you are booked on Symphony of the Seas this week, keep notifications on, arrive within your assigned window, and plan for a single-port itinerary. Flyers into EWR, JFK, or LGA should pad connections and recheck seat assignments after rolling delays. Once seas subside, the ship should settle into routine operations. This late-season nor'easter underscores why flexible planning pays off, especially on big-ship departures from the Northeast. With the revised plan, most guests should still enjoy the headline experience, even with a shortened run, despite the Symphony of the Seas delay.