Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway wasn’t supposed to bring cruise passengers back to Manhattan until February 3, but severe weather off the U.S. East Coast forced the ship to return earlier today.
The 4,819-max capacity ship just finished a Caribbean sailing that was initially slated for 11 days. Thanks to a “bomb cyclone” and very high winds, the ship has returned early for the safety of passengers and crew.
Itinerary Changes and Weather Impact
The ship left New York on January 23. To stay ahead of the storm system, NCL canceled a scheduled visit to St. Thomas on January 30.
After a visit to the port call in St. Maarten, Norwegian Breakaway began heading north toward the U.S. East Coast.
Cruise Industry News shared the letter sent to guests in which the cruise line explained:
“A large winter system moving through the eastern United States and the North Atlantic is affecting our ability to return to New York City on the original schedule and is making it challenging to maintain the speed needed for our planned turnaround.”
Conditions at Sea
Firsthand accounts from passengers on board showed just how intense the storm was. On the morning of February 2, instruments on the ship recorded peak wind speeds of 95 knots (approximately 109 mph) while passing the coast of Virginia.
A passenger took to Reddit to described the situation:
“Well, it is 4:54 in the morning and we cancelled our stop in St Thomas to rush back to NY 30 hours early to avoid the ‘bomb cyclone’. We are now off the coast of Virginia and we are apparently right in the middle of this thing. PS. 95 knts = 109 mph winds. It’s been a rough night.”
As the ship continued north, the weather had a definite impact on its speed back to New York. By 7:35 PM, the same passenger said:
“Captain announced we are going to be delayed getting into NY because we are only running on two generators. We have not gone over about 8.5 kts since this morning. We are fighting the wind so we are barely moving.”
Ice Issues in New York
The Breakaway-class ship reached New York on Monday, but it faced more delays when trying to enter the Manhattan Cruise Terminal due to ice.
Extremely low temperatures and ice buildup have been an issue around New York over the last several days as ice breakers have had to constantly break up the ice to make way for ships and smaller vessels.
The U.S. Coast Guard has been using several ice breaker vessels to keep the shipping lanes open around New York. According to some local reports, the ice has become thick enough to stop all NYC Ferry services.
Passenger Accommodations
Because the ship reached New York ahead of its official Tuesday morning return, NCL is offering overnight stays for guests that want to remain on board the ship through the original disembarkation date on Tuesday.
Passengers that want to leave early are able to do so as well.
All shore excursions for the canceled port of call at St. Thomas were refunded to passengers’ onboard accounts.
Norwegian Breakaway is expected to begin its next scheduled sailing on February 3.
Just last week Cruise Fever reported that Carnival Sunshine also returned to its homeport earlier than originally scheduled. In this case the cruise line decided to sail back to Norfolk, Virginia ahead of a major winter storm that was on its way.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Disney Cruise Line’s special offers this week now extend into mid-September 2026, a significant increase from June. With 83 different sail dates available, there is a variety of departure ports to choose from, including Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Honolulu, Port Canaveral, San Diego, and Vancouver. Additional special offers are also available across the fleet for these sailings.
The Disney Wish remains the fleet leader, adding 6 dates to 41 sailings. The Disney Dream is down 5 to 17, while the Fantasy is up 2 to 19. The Disney Magic added 1 to 17, followed closely by the Disney Treasure, which added 4 to 17 dates. The Disney Wonder added 2, bringing the total to 13 dates.
The Florida Resident rate is down 4 to 25 sail dates, the US Military Personnel offer dropped 8 to 37 cruises, and the Canadian Resident offer dropped 3 to 37 sail dates. The special bonus US Military offer for $250 onboard credit, announced in November, for select sailings in 2026 remains available.
Finally, the extra savings for those with placeholder reservations where the standard 10% is applicable for some concierge levels on select sailings and a bump in the discount up to 25% off on select sailings remain active.
The special offers listed below are available to book today while inventory lasts.
Special Offers for U.S. Military Personnel
Special Rates for U.S. Military Personnel (MTO) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid for new bookings only.
Disney Dream
14-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise from Fort Lauderdale ending in Barcelona Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal • At Sea • At Sea • Cádiz, Spain • Málaga, Spain • Cartagena, Spain • At Sea
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Magic
4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from San Diego to Vancouver San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • St. Thomas, USVI • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
Disney Wonder
10-Night Hawaiian Cruise from Honolulu ending in Vancouver Honolulu, Hawai’i • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Kahului (Maui), Hawai’i • Hilo, Hawai’i • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from Vancouver ending in San Diego Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
Special military rates are available to retired and active US military personnel (and their spouses), including US Coast Guard, US National Guard and US Military Reserves. Members of the US National Guard or the US Military Reserves (or their spouses) must show active-duty orders dated January 1st of the previous year to qualify. Third and fourth Guest prices valid with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates may vary by sail date and category. Other restrictions may apply. Other categories and sail dates may be available. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Active and retired members (or spouse) of the US military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. Valid for new bookings only.
Special Offers for Florida Residents
Special Rates for Florida Residents (FLR) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid on new and existing reservations.
Disney Dream
14-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise from Fort Lauderdale ending in Barcelona Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal • At Sea • At Sea • Cádiz, Spain • Málaga, Spain • Cartagena, Spain • At Sea
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • St. Thomas, USVI • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
To take advantage of Florida residency cruise rates, proof of Florida Residency for at least one adult in each stateroom must be presented at time of check-in. Guests unable to show proper proof of Florida residency at check-in will have their cruise re-priced and the balance must be paid before being allowed to sail.
Proof of residency must be valid at the time of sailing, and includes the following:
Florida Driver’s License
Florida Identification Card
If you do not have one of the IDs indicated above, then you must provide one of the following—dated within the past 2 months—verifying a Florida residential address and your name, along with a corresponding, valid government-issued photo ID (such as passport, driver’s license, state identification card):
Monthly mortgage statement
Renter’s lease agreement
Current automobile registration, insurance policy or bill
Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill
Current utility bill (power/phone/cable/water)
Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings or investment account statements
Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency
Note: property deeds and P.O. boxes are not considered acceptable proofs of residency.
Children’s rates are also available to Guests ages 3 through 12 that are traveling with 2 adults in the same stateroom.
Canadian Resident Rates
Special Rates for Canadian Residents with savings on prevailing rates as quoted on Disneycruise.com for non-concierge Verandah, Oceanview, and Inside Staterooms on select cruises. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Proof of residency is required an you must mention the special offer code CAN when booking. NOTE: Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested when calling in. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits.
Disney Dream
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Magic
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from San Diego to Vancouver San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from Vancouver ending in San Diego Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Icy Strait Point, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Wonder
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Juneau, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea
The Canadian Resident rate excludes suites and categories with restrictions (VGT, OGT, and IGT). Proof of Canada residency will be required at time of check-in. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are not included. If booking through Disney Cruise Line’s Contact Center, you must mention code CAN. Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested by caller. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits. Offer valid for new and existing reservations.
Please note, the offers listed are not to be taken as official quotes. Prices and availability can change at any time without notice. More importantly, the deals listed above are a snapshot in time based on DCL’s online cruise search tool.
Last but certainly not least, I wanted to invite you to consider joining us on an upcoming DCL Blog Group Cruise! This summer, we are heading to Fort Lauderdale to sail to the Western Caribbean on the all new Disney Destiny. Click here to learn more out this group opportunity. We look forward to seeing you aboard.
An early start to Saturday began with a trip for coffee just after Cafe Promenade opened up for the morning. Like most cruises, the early mornings can be a great time to walk around a quiet ship. I still am not a fan of the mall vibe of the Royal Promenade, but I am getting used to it. The Icon of the Seas version was much better with more stairways to go up a deck and bypass crowds during busy times & having the Pearl view the sea.
Emily headed to the fitness center, where she found a treadmill with porthole view.
Coffee and book in hand, I found a spot on the upper deck to take in our arrival. However, once seated, I realized there was an opportunity to capture a timelapse of other ships arriving so I raced back to the stateroom and clumsily found the GoPro without waking up Isabelle and made it back to deck 16 aft in time for the next ship’s arrival.
From my vantage point, I had a great view of the progress on the nearly completed Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island which opened on December 23, 2025. We didn’t have much planned for today and would have booked this if it was open on this day. We’ve never ventured across the bridge to Paradise Island in all of our stops in Nassau. In reality, if we did go, we still wouldn’t cross the bridge as Royal Caribbean uses tender boats to move guests between the port and beach club.
Off in the distance, the Disney Wish appeared on the horizon and eventually docked.
Below is a quick timelapse of the arrivals of the Symphony of the Seas and Disney Wish.
When we left the room this morning I noticed we had some mail, more specifically a telegram and tickets for the Royal Railway, which I left in place to investigate later.
We made our way ashore to do some Bahamian Christmas present shopping for friends and family (and ourselves) back home. Today, the port was bustling with nearly all of the shops open compared to other visits with less ships in port and a lot less foot traffic in the port marketplace area. It was awesome to see.
For those interested, I’m currently working on a walking tour video of the port, similar to the video I created from Falmouth, Jamaica last year. Nassau’s port area was also decorated for the holidays and even had a spot set up to meet Santa, but I did not see a sign for times and guests were simply using it as a photo op.
On our way back to the ship, I detoured to take some photos of the Disney Wish.
Back onboard, we read the correspondence from The Caribbean Union Telegram Company which is such a cool nod to the old ways setting the scene for the experience to come.
In the envelope, were three non-transferable tickets for the Royal Railway Wild West Train Trip with our scheduled departure time and seating assignments. Be sure to read the fine print on the back of the ticket.
On our way to grab lunch, we stopped by the Schooner Bar for some holiday activities.
Lunch consisted of Sorrento’s Pizza and salads from Café Promenade. I have been harsh on Sorrento’s pizza in the last two Royal trip reports and we were prepared with some hot honey to spice things up, but I was pleasantly surprised by the pizza served on this voyage. It was lightyears better than what was served during our previous cruises on Wonder/Icon of the Seas. Still, the pizza on the Carnival Mardi Gras maintains the #1 ranking on my cruise ship quick service pizza list.
While I maintain the stance that I want more sea views and nautical motif while on a cruise ship, that is not what the industry seems to be offering on new builds (although I do feel like they improved upon this on the Icon and presumably the Star of the Seas). Rather than be that old man complaining, I will find ways to enjoy the experience and Royal’s Central Park which is the area we overlook from our balcony and s a lovely spot to sit out and relax. I can picture myself in the Disney Imagination Garden, as a similar area on the Disney Adventure. Given our experiences on these Royal Caribbean cruises, there are a lot of similar aspects onboard the Disney Adventure that leave me disappointed the ship will be sailing on the other side of the world because, I am starting to have a gut feeling that I will really like that ship aside from it’s distinctive exterior physical design.
Holiday movie trivia was well attended and I am glad we arrived early to secure a seat as it ended up being standing room only. We discovered that the topic of Die Hard being a Christmas movie was such a polarizing debate. I’m not sorry… John McClane flies to California for Christmas, arrives during an office Christmas Eve party, the film ends on Christmas Day, and features Christmas music and themes in the score and soundtrack. The film is also included in the Christmas collection section on streaming services in November and December. It is a Christmas movie and I will not be entertaining a discussion on this topic.
We spent the majority of the afternoon hanging out in the Solarium and spending time in the hot tubs (one which had TVs showing college basketball) and reading. At one point, I made a trek to Windjammer (my one and only visit!!) to create a fruit and cheese charcuterie plate for the family to enjoy. The Solarium is a great spot as it is protected covered area that stays a bit warmer on what was not a very warm day. This adult-only area is a nice retreat that offers protection from weather.
We stopped at The Mason Jar, which is kinda like a Homecomin’ at sea. We had brunch there previously, but this weekend cruise, we just stopped in for cocktails to-go from the bar.
On deck, they offer free soft serve in a well maintained line with a crew member serving guests. Oh, and sprinkles!
The plan was to head down to Playmakers for a little bit to watch America’s Game: Army vs. Navy, but the game was not one of the games available.
We decided to head back to the stateroom and streamed the game while we prepared to board a train for dinner.
Royal Railway – Utopia Station – The Wild West Train Trip Dinner Experience
I teased the train trip earlier when the deliver of a telegram and tickets to our stateroom above, I want to to start by sharing the summary overview of this unique experience from Royal Caribbean’s website.
ROYAL RAILWAY – UTOPIA STATION A DINNER TIME MACHINE Step onto the platform for a welcome drink — and step back in time. Royal Railway — Utopia Station is the most immersive dining experience at sea. Settle in for a five-course journey of American favorites with an upscale twist as the sights, sounds and flavors of the Wild West unfold all around you. Savor delights like melt-in-your-mouth short ribs and chocolate decadent gold bars that redefine richly sweet on a cross-country trek through the American Frontier, without even leaving the ship. But beware — it’s so good, bandits just may want a taste.
Upon arrival at the train station, you check in with the host and wait to be called in based on the split-flap departure board that makes the satisfying sound each time it updates.
When your table is called, you are welcomed into the train station between two Royal Railway cars.
While fellow passengers arrive, you are offered a Welcome Drink – Ole Smokey Apple Pie Moonshine, Cherry Syrup, Lemon Juice, and Black Iced Tea, or a zero-proof, Cherry Lemonade, is available for those preferring a non-alcoholic welcome beverage or are underage. Photos are also taken for purchase along with your other cruise photos.
MoonshineCherry Lemonade (Zero-Proof)
Tables were seated and our tickets were checked. Thankfully, they just partially tear the tickets ensuring you have a unique souvenir to take home. No expense was spared, these are quality tickets with a perforated line to rip off the end tab and even included a wavy line watermark that did not show up completely in the scans presented below.
For comparison, this is a photo taken in the stateroom where the wavy lines are visible. A small but unique detail to further establish the scene.
The dining cars on the Royal Railway feature booths for two or four. Please do not ask me what happens if you have 5 or 7 people; this is the Disney Cruise Line Blog & I am not getting that detailed in my coverage.
Each passenger is presented with a guidebook and menu. The menu is a single two-sided insert while the guidebook is a detailed tri-fold on heavy cardstock.
While there is a dinner show component, I am going to focus on the dinner first. The dinner is prix fixe and included in the upfront cost of the experience, but there is an additional fee for cocktails, soda, beer, and wine. You can use your onboard beverage packages for applicable drinks.
After we made our dinner selection, each table was presented with an amuse-bouche, a barbecue chicken meatball in a phyllo dough cowboy hat. These were incredibly delicious.
To start the dinner service, each table was given an Outlaw Bread Cart with a select of wild rice & cranberry bread, spicy cowboy crackers, fruit and nut bread, a blue cheese pretzel with a cheesy pimento dip and caramelized onion butter. The blue cheese pretzel was special and the pimento dip was a lovely indulgence to start the trip.
To accompany our dinner, we ordered the Gold Rush and Pisco Sour from cocktail menu. The Gold Rush consists of Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whiskey, Aquafaba (leftover liquid from garbanzo beans), honey syrup, and lemon served in a BenShot Rocks Glass. The Pisco Sour is made with La Madrina Quebranta Pisco (a Peruvian brandy), Aquafaba, and lime served in an etched vintage martini glass.
For our appetizer course, there was clearly one and only entree that is blog-able. The Fart & dart baked beans with pulled pork – the baked beans were smokey with pickled onions and crispy pancetta served alongside cajun rye large pieces for dipping in a fun bean can that I now wish I kept just for the laughs. We also selected the flavorful Soapy smith’s corn chowder – blended sweet corn and corn topped with salsa verde and spiced chili oil, served with crispy cayenne dusted crackers. An order of Golden Nuggets was also ordered and they were exactly as the description states: crunchy coated tender wings with gold dust served with bourbon bbq sauce. Outside of the gold dust, these were just chicken fingers. While the beans were flavorful, I regret not ordering the empanada trio.
For entrees, we had the lobster, chicken, and trout. The 1st class lobster salad is a poached cold water lobster tail with mixed salad composed of citrus supremes, pickled root vegetables, candied cashews, heirloom tomatoes, and a creamy avocado puree that Emily enjoyed. I went with the Roasted Poussin, a spring chicken served roasted with pancetta and herbs, buttered baby vegetables, crisped skillet potatoes, with fragrant au jus. The chicken was well prepared and really flavorful. Isabelle opted for the Baked River Trout which was a spiced silver plume trout with crispy fried skin served with tender cider butter braised potatoes and fennel and a baby root vegetable medley. The flavors were ok, but if I were to return, I’d consider one of the two rib offerings, which both sound intriguing.
At this point, we were stuffed, so we opted to just order one of each dessert and share them. The Denver Gold Bar is a vanilla cake, coconut and sweet raspberry jam topped with gold flakes and moscato rhubarb sauce. The Royal Railway Cigar is a hand-rolled milk chocolate cigar stuffed with sweet cream served with house-made dulce de leche ice cream. The gold bar had potential, but it was served on the cold side so the various flavors were not as impactful if they would have been resting at room temperature a little longer because I enjoy rhubarb dating back to a pie my mom would make when I was a kid.
Overall, the dinner was enjoyable and service was timed really well with the dinner show which worked because it was a small venue dining experience.
Resetting the scene back to boarding the railcar at Utopia Station. Inside the station, there were signs promoting the experience and a wanted poster for the Yates Triplets.
Once at our seats in the railcar, we were presented with a Royal Railway Wild West Train Trip the following guidebook and map.
Welcome
All aboard… The royal railway, where every trip is a wild ride through luxury, decadence, and a daring adventure! As the proud owner of this inventive train, i promise you an unforgettable journey that’s as thrilling as it is delicious.
Hold on to your hats folks, because this train has more twists than a sidewinder’s tail! I urge you to sit back, relax and indulge in a dining experience that will leave you longing to return again and again.
Whether you’re hungry for a journey to the past or the future of entertainment, our train is the perfect ride for anyone ooking to dine in loco-motion.
Welcome aboard! Michael Bayley – Royal Railway President
The map on the reverse was packed with more information than you can really read over while still being an engaging table mate, eat, and enjoying the show. Thankfully, they let us take one as a keepsake which I’ve scanned in the highest resolution possible on my scanner then proceeded to shrink it back down to upload below. If you are interested in the full scans, they are available here.
The Royal Railway Wild West Train trip dinner show offers an immersive 90-minute experience. Once seated in a dining car, the journey begins as you gaze out at the captivating Wild West scenery. Motion technology within the rail car enhances the experience, making it feel like you’re truly riding the rails.
The show employs a multi-rolling ensemble to portray various characters, including the Yates Triplets, a trio of bandits who are attempting to steal the royal bling. The story unfolds within the narrow aisle of the dining car, with fellow passengers also being part of the narrative. The actors frequently interact with the guests, adding an element of engagement to the experience. For instance, we closely observed the handcuffs for a while.
This was a really enjoyable experience, but it is not really repeatable from a show perspective. From what I gather, pricing is dynamic by sailing, ranging from $75-120-ish. For our sailing, we snagged it at 15% off and paid $318.54 total for 3 ($269.97 + $48.57 in gratuities), which was worth it for the immersive and well-choreographed show and dinner. We were also presented with a folio at the end, where we left additional gratuity for the server (while not required).
After dinner, we retired to the stateroom where we watched as Fernando Mendoza was awarded the Heisman Trophy.
Tomorrow, we are headed ashore for a relaxing Perfect beach day!
When Crystal’s new ship, Crystal Grace, debuts in 2028, it will have the cruise line’s first Owner’s Suite.
The Owner’s Suite on Crystal Grace will span 1,950 sq. ft. and have a balcony that is even bigger at 1,965 sq. ft. The suite is promising a new standard of living on the new ship.
The Owner’s Suite on Crystal Grace will have many key features that include:
Living room with a library, fireplace, wool carpets and walnut floors.
Dining area with panoramic ocean views
Master bedroom with king-size bed
Master bath with Italian Lasa marble and a freestanding jacuzzi
Marble lined guest bath
Veranda with a private hot tub, shower, and outdoor dining area
Private fitness center with a Technogym Bike Personal
Cristina Levis, CEO of AKTG, gave the following statement:
“We’re introducing a suite that goes beyond expectations. From its elegant interiors to its seamless technology and personalized services, this suite embodies what makes Crystal distinctive: attention to every detail and an elevated way of life at sea.”
Crystal Grace will debut on June 11, 2028.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Severe winter weather is forcing widespread itinerary changes across the cruise industry, with a powerful bomb cyclone forecast to impact the US East Coast and strong gale-force winds sweeping through the Bahamas over the weekend of 31st January and 1st February 2026.
Cruise lines have been adjusting sailings to avoid unsafe docking conditions, heavy seas and potential port closures, affecting ships currently in the Caribbean as well as vessels homeporting along the US East Coast.
Bahamas Itineraries Disrupted By Strong Winds
According to the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, strong to gale-force winds are expected from midday Saturday through early Monday, combined with unusually cool temperatures for the region.
As a result, several popular ports have become unsafe for cruise operations, particularly private islands and exposed harbours.
Royal Caribbean has confirmed itinerary changes for two of its largest ships. Oasis of the Seas has cancelled its scheduled visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay on 31st January.
The private island was due to be the final port call on the ship’s eight-night Southern Caribbean cruise, which departed from Port Everglades on 24th January 2026.
Utopia of the Seas has also cancelled its planned call to Perfect Day at CocoCay on 1st February. In addition, the ship has reduced its time in Nassau on 31st January as the weather system moves through the northern Bahamas.
Margaritaville at Sea has opted to adjust port timing rather than cancel a destination outright. Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, sailing on a three-night getaway cruise from 30th January, will now visit Nassau on 31st January instead of 1st February, allowing the ship to avoid the worst of the forecast winds.
Disney Cruise Line has also revised itineraries across two ships sailing on 30th January. Disney Wish, operating a three-night cruise, will no longer call at Castaway Cay on 1st February and will instead remain in Nassau for an extended stay.
To accommodate port congestion, Disney Dream will skip its planned Nassau call on the same day and spend the time at sea.
East Coast Returns Brought Forward Ahead Of Storm
The approaching bomb cyclone is expected to bring heavy snowfall, high tides and strong winds to large sections of the US East Coast, creating challenging conditions for ships returning to homeports in the north-east.
MSC Cruises guests onboard MSC Meraviglia have reported that the ship is returning to New York earlier than scheduled from its seven-night Bahamas sailing.
Despite the early return, embarkation for the next sailing on 1st February is still expected to proceed as planned. Passengers have been advised to take extra care when travelling to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal due to icy and snowy conditions.
Norwegian Cruise Line has made similar adjustments. Norwegian Breakaway is cutting short its 11-night Caribbean itinerary and will return to Manhattan on 1st February instead of 3rd February. As part of the change, the ship cancelled its scheduled call to St. Thomas on 30th January. The additional time in New York will be treated as an overnight port stay.
Carnival Cruise Line has also taken precautionary action. Carnival Sunshine is returning to Norfolk, Virginia, one day earlier than planned, resulting in the cancellation of its visit to Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The decision was made to ensure a safe arrival ahead of deteriorating weather conditions.
Meanwhile, guests booked on Carnival Pride’s 1st February sailing from Baltimore have been notified that embarkation could be affected by the storm. While no changes have been confirmed, the cruise line is monitoring conditions closely and has encouraged passengers to register for text alerts for the latest updates.
With the storm system still developing, further itinerary changes remain possible, particularly for ships scheduled to dock in the Bahamas or return to northern US ports over the coming days. Cruise lines are continuing to prioritise safety while working to minimise disruption for guests.
Get the best price on your cruise…
Related Posts
If you found this interesting, please share!
A Mexican court has ordered a temporary halt to construction work on Royal Caribbean’s proposed Perfect Day Mexico destination in Costa Maya, pending further environmental and land-use assessments. According to…
Royal Caribbean Group has formally confirmed plans for a brand new ship class for Royal Caribbean International while simultaneously committing to a significant expansion of Celebrity Cruises’ growing river operation….
MSC Cruises has unveiled plans for a substantial expansion of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, confirming a wide range of new guest experiences alongside an extended pier that will allow…
Royal Caribbean has confirmed that its third Icon-class cruise ship, Legend of the Seas, will enter service earlier than previously planned, with a brand-new inaugural sailing added for 4th July…
A stomach bug outbreak has affected hundreds of passengers aboard a Fred Olsen cruise ship, with health measures introduced and the vessel’s next sailing delayed to allow for a deep clean.
Guests travelling on Balmoral reported widespread cases of gastroenteritis, a highly contagious illness that typically causes diarrhoea and vomiting.
Around 200 people are believed to have fallen ill during the voyage, according to reports from the Shetland Times. The ship has capacity for more than 1,200 passengers.
Passengers said daily announcements were made warning that the ship was “experiencing increasing cases of people presenting with symptoms of gastroenteritis”.
Some guests disputed the severity of the situation, suggesting that a number of those feeling unwell were suffering from seasickness following a rough crossing from Norway rather than a viral illness.
Cancelled Shetland Call And Health Measures Onboard
Balmoral had been scheduled to dock in Lerwick on 27th January, but the call was cancelled after stormy weather battered the islands. By that point, reports of illness onboard were already circulating among passengers.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines confirmed that a number of guests had reported gastrointestinal symptoms.
“We have immediately implemented measures to help reduce transmission, and our medical team is on hand to provide support to anyone who should feel unwell during the cruise.
“Balmoral will be returning to Southampton tomorrow, where she will set sail a little later than planned to allow for a deep clean of the ship and cruise terminal.
“The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is our highest priority, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has robust health, hygiene, and safety protocols in place at all times.”
Kate Bunyan, the cruise line’s director of health services
The ship departed on its next cruise to Norway slightly later than originally planned on 30th January, following enhanced cleaning procedures both onboard and at the cruise terminal.
Gastrointestinal outbreaks are not uncommon in the cruise industry, particularly during winter sailings when rough seas and close-contact environments can increase the spread of illness.
Cruise lines typically respond with isolation protocols, increased sanitation and adjusted itineraries where necessary to protect passengers and crew.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Fred. Olsen offers…
Related Posts
If you found this interesting, please share!
Severe winter weather is forcing widespread itinerary changes across the cruise industry, with a powerful bomb cyclone forecast to impact the US East Coast and strong gale-force winds sweeping through…
A Mexican court has ordered a temporary halt to construction work on Royal Caribbean’s proposed Perfect Day Mexico destination in Costa Maya, pending further environmental and land-use assessments. According to…
Royal Caribbean Group has formally confirmed plans for a brand new ship class for Royal Caribbean International while simultaneously committing to a significant expansion of Celebrity Cruises’ growing river operation….
MSC Cruises has unveiled plans for a substantial expansion of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, confirming a wide range of new guest experiences alongside an extended pier that will allow…
Norwegian Cruise Line has officially confirmed that the Broadway hit Jersey Boys is concluding its run on Norwegian Bliss.
The change was highlighted by a social media post from a cruise passenger that shared a letter from NCL informing cruisers of the update. While the show has been a staple of Norwegian Bliss for years (since the ship’s debut in 2018), the cruise line is moving on to other entertainment options.
Message from the Cruise Line
In the letter sent to impacted passengers, NCL explained that the transition is part of an effort to refresh entertainment on board. The letter stated:
“As we prepare for this upcoming voyage, we want to share a quick update about our entertainment lineup. ‘Jersey Boys’ will be concluding its run in the Bliss Theater. “
The cruise line clarified that rather having another musical replace the popular show, they are moving toward a rotating collection of performers.
The notice explains that the theater will offer some of the following:
Comedians
Magicians
Jugglers
Specialty acts designed to offer “more variety” throughout the voyage.
Why the Change?
This move isn’t just happening on Norwegian Bliss. Over the last few years, Norwegian Cruise Line has been phasing out several of its Broadway productions like ‘SIX’, ‘Footloose’, and ‘Kinky Boots’.
The cruise line’s current strategy appears to focus on in-house productions. By using a rotating cast there’s a little more flexibility to change entertainment without the massive overhead and licensing required for a Broadway production. That being said, no official reason has been stated for the change.
What the Community is Saying
While some online comments reflected excitement for some new entertainment, many regular cruisers were disappointed in the cancellation of the show.
One NCL cruiser expressed frustration over the timing, stating that there seems to be a gap in the schedule which leaves some sailings right in the middle of an entertainment “void.”
Others pointed out the practical difficulties of the show itself, guessing that because the lead role of Frankie Valli is so notoriously difficult to cast, it may have simply become too difficult to maintain the production long-term.
One cruiser shared that they were particularly “bummed out” because they are sailing with a parent who is a huge fan of that era of music and will now miss out on the experience.
What’s Next?
The fan-favorite show ‘Choir of Man’ is set to take over the Bliss Theater starting in March 2026.
Until then, passengers sailing during the transition period should keep a close eye on the cruise line’s app and newsletter to see which specialty headliners will be taking the stage for their specific dates.
Norwegian Bliss is currently offering 7-day cruises out of San Pedro, California, visiting ports of call like Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Cruise passengers on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish received word that a planned stop on the itinerary will not be happening after all.
Due to a developing weather system in The Bahamas, the cruise line has canceled the ship’s scheduled stop at Disney Castaway Cay this Sunday.
Disney Wish at Port Canaveral. Photo: Cruise Fever
The weather has caused another cruise line to shift schedules just a day after Carnival Sunshine was forced to head back to Norfolk. In Carnival’s case, the ship was trying to get back to homeport ahead of a severe winter storm that is set to slam the east coast of the U.S.
For Disney Wish, strong winds in The Bahamas are in the forecast, making it impossible to dock.
“Strong Winds and Adverse Sea Conditions”
The decision comes after the cruise line’s weather teams noticed a system predicted to bring “strong winds and adverse sea conditions” to the region. Cruise ships are like huge sails in a strong wind, making it difficult to dock safely.
To keep everyone on board safe, the ship will skip the private island and spend extra time at its previous port of call.
In the letter delivered to staterooms, the cruise line stated:
“We will not be able to visit Disney Castaway Cay on Sunday. We will instead spend extra time in Nassau, on Saturday night and throughout the morning on Sunday…. The safety and well-being of our Guests and Crew Members is our highest priority. We appreciate your understanding regarding this necessary itinerary change.”
The Updated Itinerary
While Castaway Cay is now off the table for this trip, passengers will have more time to explore Nassau. The ship will now remain docked there overnight on Saturday and through Sunday morning.
The revised schedule is as follows:
Friday: Port Canaveral, Florida
Saturday: Nassau, The Bahamas
Sunday: Nassau, The Bahamas (previously Disney Castaway Cay)
Monday: Port Canaveral, Florida
Handling Port Adventures and Reservations
For those who had already booked excursions on Castaway Cay, there is no need to visit guest services for a refund. The letter states that any pre-reserved Port Adventures for the island “will automatically be removed from your onboard account.”
Passengers can book new excursions through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. The Port Adventures Desk will also be open to help any guests on board.
Utopia of the Seas Skips Private Island Too
Disney Wish is not the only cruise ship impacted by this storm system. Royal Caribbean has also canceled its scheduled stop for Utopia of the Seas at Perfect Day at CocoCay that was scheduled for this Sunday.
The Oasis-class vessel will also depart Nassau an hour earlier to try to get ahead of the storm before the heavy winds set in.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
A Mexican court has ordered a temporary halt to construction work on Royal Caribbean’s proposed Perfect Day Mexico destination in Costa Maya, pending further environmental and land-use assessments.
According to Mexican newspaper La Jornada, the decision was issued by a Quintana Roo district court after an injunction request from environmental organisation Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS).
The ruling pauses development activity while authorities examine whether all legal and environmental requirements have been fully met.
The injunction does not cancel the project, but instead seeks to prevent any potentially irreversible environmental damage while outstanding concerns are reviewed. A court hearing scheduled in the coming days will determine whether the suspension remains in place for the duration of the environmental studies.
Environmental And Infrastructure Concerns Raised
DMAS has stressed that it is not opposed to the cruise line’s plans in principle, acknowledging that the project could deliver significant economic benefits to the region. However, the group argues that possible land-use irregularities must be addressed before construction continues.
“We are in favor of respecting the law, urban planning and the community’s right to a healthy environment,” the organisation said.
A key concern is the protection of mangrove ecosystems in the area, which play a crucial role in water filtration and coastal erosion prevention. Environmental advocates have warned that damage to these habitats could have long-term consequences for both the local environment and nearby communities.
The group has also raised questions about the capacity of the region’s sanitation infrastructure, which is already under strain. An influx of visitors on the scale proposed for Perfect Day Mexico could further burden wastewater and sewage systems, with potential impacts on surrounding towns.
Royal Caribbean has previously stated that there are no plans to build within designated mangrove conservation zones and has said the project would include restoration initiatives designed to enhance mangrove habitats rather than harm them.
Local Opposition Has Emerged Before
The court injunction is not the first obstacle faced by the Perfect Day Mexico project.
In August 2025, a Change.org petition was launched calling for greater protections for the nearby fishing village of Mahahual. That campaign cited similar environmental concerns, including mangrove preservation, pollution risks and pressure on local water supplies.
The petition has since attracted more than 357,000 signatures. Like the current legal challenge, it does not seek to block the development outright, but instead calls for stronger safeguards for local communities and greater public involvement in decision-making.
Royal Caribbean owns the land earmarked for the destination but must comply with Mexican environmental and planning laws before proceeding. The project, once approved, is set to become one of the cruise industry’s largest private destinations.
Plans include a sprawling waterpark capable of welcoming up to 20,000 guests per day, allowing multiple cruise ships to call at the site simultaneously.
The development would feature more than 30 waterslides, including the tallest waterslides in North and South America, alongside what is planned to be the world’s longest lazy river, complete with a high-energy “crazy” section.
“Perfect Day Mexico is bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “This destination will be the ultimate vacation for families, and we cannot wait to welcome adventurers from around the world to Mexico for an experience only Royal Caribbean can provide.”
Additional plans include three swim-up bars, 10 swimming pools, the Splashaway Bay water play area for children, an adults-only retreat, multiple dining venues and a range of cabana options spread across more than 200 acres.
The destination represents an investment of more than $600 million, with completion currently projected for late 2027.
However, if the suspension is extended or further changes are required following environmental reviews, that timeline could be pushed back.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…
Related Posts
If you found this interesting, please share!
Royal Caribbean Group has formally confirmed plans for a brand new ship class for Royal Caribbean International while simultaneously committing to a significant expansion of Celebrity Cruises’ growing river operation….
MSC Cruises has unveiled plans for a substantial expansion of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, confirming a wide range of new guest experiences alongside an extended pier that will allow…
Royal Caribbean has confirmed that its third Icon-class cruise ship, Legend of the Seas, will enter service earlier than previously planned, with a brand-new inaugural sailing added for 4th July…
A luxury expedition cruise ship operating in Antarctica required assistance from a United States Coast Guard icebreaker after becoming slowed by dense pack ice in the Ross Sea earlier this…
Royal Caribbean has announced that their first Discovery class cruise ship will debut in 2029, with a second one entering service in 2032.
The Discovery class is a brand new class of cruise ships from Royal Caribbean. The ships will be built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France.
This partnership builds on a legacy that began in 1985, when Chantiers de l’Atlantique constructed Royal Caribbean Group’s original Sovereign Class ships: Sovereign of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas.
The shipyard has continued to build ships for Royal Caribbean Group including Oasis Class, from game changing Harmony of the Seas, as well as Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, and now, Royal Caribbean’s new Discovery Class.
The Discovery class is a brand new concept for Royal Caribbean that will blend cutting-edge technology with immersive experiences in a way the travel industry hasn’t seen before.
Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, gave the following statement:
“The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations. These ships will be a showcase of what’s possible when design meets purpose, ultimately bringing the world closer to our guests.
“Through our partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, we are leveraging France’s world‑class shipbuilding ecosystem and new technology to, once again, reimagine the industry for decades to come.”
The two newest ships from Royal Caribbean, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, at CocoCay.
Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean, added:
“The Discovery Class introduces a bold new concept that puts our guests at the center of it all. It will deliver extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences — from cutting edge design to immersive moments — every detail crafted to surprise and delight guests in ways they’ve never imagined, all while visiting truly breathtaking destinations around the world.”
Royal Caribbean has not yet released any more details on this new class of ships. Cruise Fever will have all details as they are announced by the cruise line.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
