Winter weather has struck again.

Passengers booked on MSC Meraviglia were notified onboard that their cruise from Brooklyn, New York, would be delayed and its itinerary adjusted due to severe winter weather along the ship’s departure.

In a letter dated February 1, 2026, MSC Cruises said deteriorating conditions prompted the cruise line to postpone the 171,598-gross-ton ship’s February 1 departure and make multiple schedule changes to prioritize safety.

The ship ultimately departed New York at 10 a.m. on February 2, 2026, a day later than planned.

“Due to the predicted weather conditions along our departure route, we have proactively decided to delay our departure to tomorrow at 10 a.m. to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests and crew,” MSC Cruises said in its letter, delivered to passengers on embarkation day.

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Weather reports said February 1 would have extreme cold with a small chance of light snow, but the more serious conditions would be wind-related, causing rough seas with strong waves along the east coast.

The National Weather Service was monitoring a coastal low-pressure system and warned of possible flooding just one week after Winter Storm Fern brought heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the region.

The weather-related delay also triggered changes to the ship’s ports of call. MSC Cruises said the late departure meant the vessel would no longer arrive in Port Canaveral on February 3, as originally scheduled. 

As a result, MSC Meraviglia will spend the day at sea and arrive at the popular Florida port on February 4. However, the late arrival results in an earlier call, providing guests with one extra hour in port.

The bad news? Guests will now miss a call in Ocean Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas.

The 4,488-passenger vessel will resume her original schedule by February 5, with an extra 30 minutes in Nassau, Bahamas, followed by two sea days before returning to New York on February 8.

What the Changes Mean for MSC Meraviglia Guests

MSC Cruises apologized for the changes, especially the loss of visiting Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and said all shore excursions booked through the cruise line would be fully refunded to guests’ onboard accounts.

“We understand that any unexpected changes to your itinerary can be disappoint and we want to assure you that this decision was made with your safety as our top priority,” said the cruise line.

“Although this adjustment is due to circumstances beyond our control, we want to express our sincere appreciation for your understanding and patience,” it continued.

While guests were allowed to remain onboard during the embarkation delay, the cruise line said some services were limited on February 1.

According to the notice, dining and entertainment remained available, but retail shops stayed closed until after departure in accordance with local regulations.

Just days before the revised sailing, the company had warned passengers booked on MSC Meraviglia’sJanuary 25 departure from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to expect travel delays and hazardous conditions due to Winter Storm Fern.

At the time, the cruise line indicated while the storm was unlikely to affect the scheduled arrival or departure of the ship, the weather could create delays for passengers trying to reach the terminal.

These winter weather-related issues won’t affect MSC Meraviglia in 2026-27, as the ship will homeport in Miami instead of Brooklyn for the winter season.

Winter Blast Disrupts MSC’s New York Cruise, Prompting Delay and Route Change