Cyclone Disrupts Royal Caribbean’s Itinerary: Ovation Of The Seas Reroutes To Nowhere

Published on December 3, 2025

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas was forced to make a last-minute change to its itinerary because of Tropical Storm Sanyar. The storm forced the company to implement a cruise without a port. The company cares about the well-being of passengers, and because of this, a further delay was ordered. As a result, the ship is perceived to have done a cruise to nowhere. The ship was supposed to stay out for 3 nights, but the storm forced a delay in returning to Singapore. Passengers on board might have seen that the return of the ship after 3 nights was of their own timing at sea, and they made their return on their own. The itinerary was changed because the destination was crossing Sanyar’s path, and delays for the return of the ship were to be expected. The storm forced the company to change its timetables, but it did so to maintain the well-being of passengers on board.

Tropical Cyclone Forces Change to Itinerary

The 2016-built ship Ovation of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International was forced to change its set sail from the cruise ship Marina Bay in Singapore on 27 November 2025. The cruise was meant to be three nights, but the tropical storm forced the company to cut it short to its revised schedule after three days. Originally, the cruise was meant to go to Penang, Malaysia, but the tropical cyclone Sanyar forced ships in the area, including the Ovation of the Seas, to stay clear of Penang to maintain the well-being of its passengers.

In light of the meteorological team and experts’ predictions of the storm’s path, Royal Caribbean made the decision to skip Penang and spend two days at sea. This decision, made at the last minute, illustrates the company’s commitment to the safety and security of its crew and passengers, even if it meant dramatic changes to the cruise’s itinerary.

Guest Communication and Refunds

Ovations of the Seas passengers were informed of the itinerary changes shortly after the vessel departed, when they were told of the storm’s unpredictable path and impending cyclone. They explained that the port of Penang would be bypassed and the vessel would remain at sea for an extra day. Royal Caribbean defended its decision to prioritize passengers’ safety above all else.

The cruise company provided reassurance to travelers regarding any company-sponsored land activities that they will get a refund in the form of credits that can be used toward amenities and activities on the ship and/or to be used against future cruise purchases. They implemented a 14-day refund policy for any unused portions to be returned to travelers’ credit cards, thus providing convenience to travelers impacted by the last-minute cancellations and modifications to the itineraries.

Sailing the Seas in Southeast Asia

The Ovation of the Seas had just returned from the summer sailing on the West Coast of the United States and transitioned to Southeast Asia for its winter sailing in late October. The ship is now home ported in Singapore, where it is servicing short-duration cruise itineraries to Malaysia and Thailand. It is the third largest ship, out of the 16 operated by the company, and has a capacity of 4,204 passengers. The ship is a cornerstone for the company’s Southeast Asia fleet and is dedicated to the provision of high-end cruise experiences for travelers.

The ship’s new scheduled departure dates, including the ship’s four-night cruise tour to Penang and Phuket, are a change of plans as of November 27, 2023. The cruise ship is ideal for short getaways to the Southeast Asian region for its cultural immersion and wonderful scenery. Unfortunately, due to the region’s scheduled tropical cyclone, these cruises may need to change for the safety of the people.

Special Cruises and December Schedule

In December, the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship will do a special eight-night cruise to celebrate New Year’s Eve on the ship in Bali, Indonesia. The ship is scheduled to sail daily to enjoy the scenery in the archipelago of Indonesia. The cruise will sail to Bali, Lombok, and Celukan Bawang, and the passengers will be able to enjoy and get a feel of the culture of the archipelago.

Royal Caribbean continues to adjust its itineraries and still works hard to give guests the enriching cruise experiences they have come to expect. Customers on the December sailings to Indonesia will still be able to enjoy the luxury and style of the holiday on a cruise, even if the itinerary needs to change due to the safety of the holiday cruise.

Conclusion: Safety First, Adventure Always

The recent cruise on the Ovation of the Seas that went to no port (dubbed ‘cruise to nowhere’) was not the fully dreamed of vacation that guests on board were hoping for, but it did serve to reinforce the line’s priorities and the winds/law of tropical storms the line sails in and the line’s commitment to safety and the guests on board. Skipping Penang to provide a cruise filled with more time sailing the blue and a fully safe, enjoyable cruise experience was a collaborative cruise and safety decision. Royal Caribbean’s professionalism and communications principles were on point, and no one was left in the dark without proper communications due to the disciplined actions of Royal Caribbean’s line. Everyone received a proper and full cruise experience and care throughout all the changes.

While Ovation of the Seas tours Southeast Asia, guests will have the privilege of enjoying new and sparkling itineraries that showcase the wonderful sights Southeast Asia has to offer. Due to the ever-changing weather, the company has made safety and comfort at sea a priority and will continually update the itineraries to adapt to the conditions. Cruises have already been scheduled for December, as well as a special cruise departing for Indonesia to celebrate New Year’s Eve, ensuring guests have the best experience Southeast Asia has to offer.