New York City got buried under 15+ inches of snow on February 22, 2026 — the heaviest snowfall since 2021 — courtesy of Winter Storm Hernando. About 8,000 flights were canceled. Roads were impassable. And two cruise ships full of passengers headed to the Bahamas were going absolutely nowhere.
The Ships That Got Stuck
MSC Meraviglia was supposed to leave Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on Sunday, February 22 for a week-long Bahamas voyage. Instead, the ship sat in port, blanketed in snow, until approximately 3:00 p.m. on Monday — losing a full day. The Nassau port stop was scrapped entirely to make up the time.
Odyssey of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) was stuck at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, with its February 22 Bahamas departure delayed until late Monday or early Tuesday. Photos showed the Royal Caribbean ship looking like it belonged in an Arctic expedition, not a Caribbean itinerary.
What It Was Like Onboard
If you’ve never been on a cruise ship stuck in port during a blizzard, here’s what it’s like: you’re on a ship designed for tropical weather, staring out your balcony at a winter wonderland, knowing your beach day in Nassau just evaporated.
The ships themselves were fine — cruise ships are built to handle rough seas, and sitting at a pier during a snowstorm is about the least stressful thing a ship can do. The problem was purely logistical: port operations shut down, pilot boats couldn’t operate safely, and departure channels needed to be cleared before the ships could leave.
Passengers who were trying to board had it worse. Getting to a cruise terminal in NYC during a blizzard is an adventure nobody signed up for. Delayed flights, canceled trains, gridlocked roads — some passengers didn’t even make it to the ship.
The Bigger Picture
Winter departures from New York and New Jersey always carry this risk. It’s February. It snows in February. This isn’t exactly a surprise.
But 15+ inches in a single storm is exceptional, and it’s a good reminder that if you’re booking a winter cruise out of the Northeast, build in an extra day before departure. Fly in early. Stay near the port. Don’t assume your 2:00 p.m. flight on departure day will work out.
Planning a cruise and want to avoid weather headaches? Check our month-by-month cruise guide or hurricane season guide for timing tips.
Storm Report
- Storm: Winter Storm Hernando
- Date: February 22-23, 2026
- Snowfall: 15+ inches in Central Park (heaviest since 2021)
- Ships affected: MSC Meraviglia (Brooklyn), Odyssey of the Seas (Bayonne, NJ)
- MSC Meraviglia: Departed ~24 hours late; Nassau port call canceled
- Odyssey of the Seas: Departed late Monday/early Tuesday
- Flights canceled: ~8,000 nationwide
- Injuries: None reported on ships
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