Two passengers, including a seven-year-old child, were evacuated from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Oasis of the Seas on Friday, September 18, after falling critically ill. The ship, which was traveling toward New Jersey, diverted to Nassau in the Bahamas to facilitate emergency medical treatment. According to a captain's announcement, the first emergency required the vessel to return toward Nassau as it was the nearest location with hospital facilities; a second passenger was reported critically ill while the ship was en route.
Both passengers were removed from the vessel in Nassau on Friday. Royal Caribbean has not disclosed the nature of the illnesses or the current conditions of the two individuals, and it is unclear whether the two medical emergencies were related. In a letter to guests, the cruise line confirmed that the medical staff determined both passengers required urgent care and were successfully debarked.
The medical diversions have altered the ship's itinerary and arrival schedule. The Oasis of the Seas canceled a scheduled stop in Florida. Additionally, the ship’s return to its home port at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, has been delayed. Instead of the original 6:00 a.m. arrival on Sunday, September 20, the ship is now expected to arrive at 2:00 p.m., with passenger debarkation beginning around 2:30 p.m.
The delay affects passengers currently aboard the Oasis of the Seas, as well as those scheduled for the next voyage. Travelers with pre-booked transportation from the New Jersey port face logistical changes due to the arrival delay. For households on board, the shift to a 2:00 p.m. arrival on Sunday, September 20, may conflict with scheduled return travel or work shifts.
Royal Caribbean announced it will reimburse airline change fees for those who booked travel independently. The company stated it would cover up to $200 per person for domestic flight changes and up to $400 per person for international flight changes, provided passengers submit receipts. Travelers who used the company’s "Flights by Royal" program will have their travel adjusted automatically. To assist with these arrangements, the cruise line provided 60 minutes of complimentary internet access per stateroom.
The incident also affects the ship's next scheduled seven-night Bahamas sailing, which is set to depart from Cape Liberty on Sunday, September 20. While the ship is expected to arrive at 2:00 p.m., the exact departure time for the subsequent voyage was not reported. Passengers on the next sailing will likely experience a delayed boarding process.