Symphony of the Seas Still Docked in New Jersey 24 Hours After Nor’easter Delay

It’s now been over 24 hours since Every Cruise Thing first reported that Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas would not be departing Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on Sunday, October 12, due to a powerful Nor’easter — and one day later, one of the world’s largest cruise ships is still in port.

The massive 228,081-gross-ton vessel, which was due to begin a 7-night Bahamas cruise, remains docked at Bayonne’s Cape Liberty Cruise Port as strong winds, high surf, and a suspension of pilotage services continue to keep ships anchored in New York Harbor.

The Port of New York and New Jersey remains closed to all incoming and outgoing traffic, with the Sandy Hook Pilots confirming they won’t be guiding vessels until 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14.

Revised Itinerary Confirmed

Royal Caribbean has now officially updated the itinerary for Symphony’s shortened voyage. The ship will skip both Port Canaveral and Nassau and instead head directly to Perfect Day at CocoCay once it can safely depart — expected Tuesday morning.

Guests onboard were notified that all excursions for canceled ports will be automatically refunded as refundable onboard credit (OBC). Any unused balance will be returned to the original payment method after the cruise.

Frustrations Mount Among Guests

While safety remains the priority, passengers have expressed growing frustration over communication and onboard experiences during the extended stay in Bayonne.

“There has been zero transparency this trip,” one passenger wrote on the Every Cruise Thing Facebook page. “Minimal activities for kids, cold weather, and even simple things like crafts were unavailable. The captain announced 50% off drinks, but bartenders said that wasn’t happening.”

Others, however, are taking it in stride.

“The sea is very angry,” one local resident near Sandy Hook commented. “You wouldn’t want to be out there at all.”

Despite the frustrations, guests are free to disembark and explore the area, with some reporting stops at nearby shops and restaurants — and even Costco — while the ship remains docked.

Symphony of the Seas remains at the dockside in Bayonne - Roseann Mattessich-Vunic/Facebook

Other Cruise Ships Still Affected

Symphony of the Seas isn’t alone in this extended weather delay.

• Norwegian Getaway remains at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, with its October 12 sailing now delayed until October 14. The ship has dropped Newport and Boston from its New England itinerary.

• MSC Meraviglia is also still docked in Brooklyn, awaiting clearance to depart on its Bahamas voyage.

• German vessels MS Europa and Mein Schiff 1 have likewise been held in New York Harbor until conditions improve.

Storm Conditions Along the Coast

The Nor’easter has brought winds exceeding 60 mph, heavy rainfall, and dangerous seas with waves of 8 to 15 feet battering the coastline from Delaware to Maine. New York and New Jersey both remain under a state of emergency until the storm passes Tuesday.

Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas is now expected to sail a shortened 5-night itinerary, visiting CocoCay on Thursday before returning to New Jersey on schedule Sunday, October 19.

Despite the delay, safety comes first — and for now, the Symphony remains firmly tied to the dock as the storm slowly moves away from the U.S. coast.