Royal Caribbean has changed the itinerary of Utopia of the Seas just a day before its scheduled departure from Port Canaveral, replacing two planned calls in the Bahamas with a single visit to Cozumel, Mexico.
Passengers booked on the four-night sailing departing Monday 26 October 2026 were informed by email on Sunday 25 October. The cruise line cited an approaching weather system expected to bring unfavourable conditions to the Bahamas.
What has changed?
Under the original schedule, Utopia of the Seas was due to visit Nassau on Tuesday 27 October, spend Wednesday at sea and call at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay on Thursday 29 October.
The revised itinerary replaces both Bahamas calls with sea days on Tuesday and Thursday. The ship is instead scheduled to visit Cozumel, Mexico, on Wednesday 28 October, from 10am until 3pm local time.
Departure from Port Canaveral on Monday 26 October remains scheduled for 4pm, and the ship is still due back in Florida on Friday 30 October. The four-night cruise has therefore not been shortened, although passengers will visit a different destination and spend more time at sea.
Severe weather forecast for the Bahamas
The change follows forecasts of strong to gale-force winds, rough seas and unusually high tides across parts of the Bahamas. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has warned of hazardous marine conditions, with the possibility of coastal flooding and heavy rainfall in some areas.
Royal Caribbean's message to guests, as reported by Cruise Hive, attributed the change to a weather system expected to bring unfavourable conditions to the Bahamas. Diverting west towards Mexico allows the ship to avoid the original ports during the forecast period.
The weather conditions described are forecasts rather than confirmation of conditions encountered by the vessel. The revised port call remains subject to operational and weather considerations.
What happens to booked excursions?
According to the passenger information reported by Cruise Hive, Royal Caribbean shore excursions booked for Nassau or Perfect Day at CocoCay will be automatically cancelled, with refunds credited to guests' onboard SeaPass accounts.
Passengers should consult the Royal Caribbean app and onboard announcements for the latest programme, available activities and any updated excursion arrangements in Cozumel. There has been no confirmed blanket cruise-fare refund announcement for the change of destination.
A different cruise from the one originally booked
Utopia of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class cruise ships and regularly operates short holidays from Port Canaveral. This sailing was marketed as a Bahamas and Perfect Day cruise, so the change removes both advertised destinations.
Although passengers still receive a four-night voyage, the switch to Cozumel means a substantially different itinerary, with one port call rather than two. The decision was communicated shortly before embarkation, giving travellers limited time to adjust plans.
Frequently asked questions
Why has Utopia of the Seas changed its itinerary?
Royal Caribbean cited forecast unfavourable weather in the Bahamas, where strong winds, rough seas and unusually high tides were expected.
Which Bahamas ports have been cancelled?
Nassau, originally scheduled for Tuesday 27 October, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, originally scheduled for Thursday 29 October, have both been removed.
Where will Utopia of the Seas go instead?
The revised itinerary schedules a call at Cozumel, Mexico, on Wednesday 28 October 2026, from 10am to 3pm local time.
Has the cruise been shortened?
No. The ship is still scheduled to leave Port Canaveral on Monday 26 October and return on Friday 30 October, completing its four-night sailing.
Will passengers receive refunds for Bahamas excursions?
Royal Caribbean-booked excursions for Nassau and CocoCay are reportedly being cancelled automatically, with refunds credited to guests' SeaPass accounts. Any other compensation should be confirmed directly with the cruise line.
When were passengers told about the change?
Passengers were notified by email on Sunday 25 October, one day before the scheduled Monday departure.
Information reflects the revised itinerary reported on 26 October 2026. Port calls and sailing schedules may change further in response to weather or operational requirements.