Storms, Strikes and Speed Limits Keep Rewriting Itineraries

Weather keeps pushing Royal Caribbean's warm-weather sailings north. Independence of the Seas (Oct 24, Cape Liberty) dropped Bermuda for an overnight in Saint John, New Brunswick. Guests get per-stateroom onboard credit of $150 inside, $200 outside, $300 balcony and $500 suite. Oasis of the Seas and Vision of the Seas were rerouted to Canada earlier. Harmony of the Seas kept its Bahamas calls but reordered its Nassau and CocoCay days as the weather turned.

For advisors, the credit schedule gives you a concrete figure to quote. Contact clients on upcoming Bermuda, Bahamas and East Coast sailings now. Set expectations on excursions, since Canadian substitutes rarely match the original plan, and watch for further last-minute changes.

MSC Virtuosa was held in Southampton for Storm Austen. The sailing scheduled for Oct 24 is due to depart at 7 p.m. today, Oct 25, a day late. La Rochelle is cancelled for weather and Le Havre because of French port strikes. Vigo has been added. Prepaid excursions are refunded to onboard accounts.

The weather hit is a one-off. The strike is the part to watch. If French port action continues, other lines' Le Havre calls could be affected. Advisors with clients on UK and Western Europe sailings this week should check ship status and explain the refund route for excursions. Clients who booked those ports as the main draw may need extra reassurance.

Royal Caribbean has cut Icy Strait Point from Anthem of the Seas' May 7, 2027 Vancouver roundtrip, citing speed restrictions. The call becomes a sea day, and Ketchikan is shortened by two hours. Excursions are cancelled and refunded within 14 business days.

Notice came more than six months before sailing, and the same ship has had speed-related Alaska issues before. Advisors with 2027 Alaska bookings should expect more trimming ahead of sailing. Be candid with clients about port-heavy itineraries, and tell them early when a booked excursion is affected so refunds and replacements can be handled well before departure.

Princess is expanding its Sanctuary Collection to five Royal-class ships. Select suites and staterooms come with private spaces, exclusive dining and personalized service, and Princess Premier is included.

Commercially, this gives advisors an upsell with a built-in value story on Royal-class sailings. Moving a client into a higher cabin category raises the commissionable fare. It also gives you something concrete to offer premium-leaning clients who are weighing other lines.

Oceania Insignia will leave the Oceania Cruises fleet and become Phoenix Reisen's Alvara. The ship will go through refit work at Lloyd Werft, with service entry scheduled for November 2027.

The move shrinks Oceania's premium capacity. The effect is about a year out, so there is no immediate action. Advisors selling Insignia itineraries beyond that date should watch for cancellations or reassignments and keep alternatives ready for those clients.