Thousands of Royal Caribbean guests saw their plans change after rough weather forced two ships to skip a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Liberty of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas were both scheduled to stop at the private island on January 15, 2026.
The decision affected nearly 6,000 passengers combined. Liberty of the Seas carries close to 3,800 guests, while Radiance of the Seas can host just over 2,100.
Both ships were sailing identical four-night Bahamas itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. CocoCay was meant to be the final and most anticipated stop of the cruise.
Guests quickly shared their disappointment online. Some noted this was the second time in recent months they had missed a visit to the island, while others said they understood safety had to come first.
Strong winds around the Berry Islands made docking unsafe. Weather reports showed gusts reaching up to 35 miles per hour throughout the day.
While cruise ships can handle high winds at sea, docking is a different challenge. Once winds pass about 30 miles per hour, the risk of damaging the ship or pier increases significantly.
Passengers on another Royal Caribbean ship, Utopia of the Seas, had already noticed worsening conditions the day before. Many said the wind picked up sharply as their ship left CocoCay that afternoon.
Rather than risk a dangerous docking, Royal Caribbean chose to cancel the stop altogether. Both ships spent the day at sea instead of adding an alternate port.
Guests onboard shared photos from their balconies, showing calm ocean views but expressing disappointment. Many had looked forward to enjoying the island’s beaches, water park and new attractions.
Similar to other recent Royal Caribbean sailings, unexpected operational issues have also affected ships such as Quantum of the Seas in recent weeks.
No compensation has been announced for the missed visit. Cruise contracts allow itinerary changes due to weather, and the company is not required to offer refunds in these cases.
Both Liberty of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas are set to return to Fort Lauderdale on January 16. While the day didn’t go as planned, many guests said they still tried to enjoy the final moments of their cruise.
