Two Passengers, Including Child, Critically Ill on Royal Caribbean Cruise to New Jersey
The Oasis of the Seas experienced a delay after two passengers required urgent medical evacuation in the Bahamas.
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship heading to New Jersey was delayed after two passengers, including a 7-year-old child, were evacuated from the vessel in critical condition on Friday. The Oasis of the Seas, currently en route to its home port at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, is now expected to arrive approximately eight hours later than originally scheduled, around 2 p.m. Sunday.
The ship was held up in Nassau, Bahamas, where the two passengers were taken off the ship and transported to local hospitals for urgent medical attention. A captain’s announcement informed passengers of the situation, stating that the medical staff determined the individuals required immediate care. The nature of their illnesses has not been disclosed by the cruise line.
Royal Caribbean communicated to passengers via a letter that the illnesses were not identified as contagious and that other guests were not considered to be at risk. The cruise line assured passengers that any flights affected by the revised arrival schedule would be automatically adjusted by their travel team, and that flight change fees would be covered up to $200 for domestic travel and $400 for international travel.
The Oasis of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class vessels, is now proceeding towards Bayonne at approximately 23 mph. The cruise line has not yet responded to requests for further comment.