Key Aspects:
- Winter Storm Fern is expected to drop up to 12 inches of snow in parts of New York, along with sleet and freezing rain.
- This will not impact MSC Meraviglia’s arrival at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on January 25, 2026.
- Guests embarking on the ship that day should take extra precautions when making their way to the port.
Sunday, January 25, 2026, is shaping up to be one of the worst travel days ever on the US East Coast. It’s also the day that MSC Meraviglia is due to embark on its next 7-night Bahamas sailing from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in New York.
According to current forecasts, the massive Winter Storm Fern is expected to drop up to 12 inches of snow in New York between 3 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. on Monday, January 26.
When not actively snowing, the Big Apple may be bombarded with a mix of sleet and freezing rain.
Winter storm warnings will remain in place in New York and New Jersey during this time period, as these states join 16 others to declare states of emergency ahead of the historic storm’s arrival.
While MSC Meraviglia’s planned arrival in the port at 7 a.m. on January 25 is not expected to be changed due to the storm, these conditions will make travel to and from the cruise port risky.
Guests Warned of Hazards and Delays
Traveling during snowy and icy weather can be dangerous, and MSC Cruises is encouraging its guests to exercise increased caution and plan for delays as they make their way to the cruise port.
Read Also: Brooklyn Cruise Terminal: Amenities, Pier, and What’s Nearby
“The National Weather Service has forecasted heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures for New York City on Sunday, January 25, 2026,” MSC Cruises wrote to soon-to-be guests.
“While this weather event is not expected to impact the arrival or departure of MSC Meraviglia in New York, there may be delays impacting guest’s arrival to the port,” the cruise line continued.
Officials have also warned that the storm may bring prolonged power outages, which could lead to congestion and delays if traffic lights go out in the already busy city.
Public transportation like subways and buses are expected to remain operational through the blustery weekend, but these systems could also be impacted by the dangerous conditions.
“To ensure a smooth embarkation process, please plan ahead and allow extra travel time. We also recommend monitoring local news and official traffic advisories for the most up-to-date information before your departure,” MSC advised.
The up to 5,642 passengers booked on this sailing are asked to do their best to adhere to their assigned check-in times.
The cruise terminal will shut its doors promptly at 2:30 p.m. EST ahead of the 171,598-gross ton vessel’s planned departure at 3 p.m.
Current guests debarking from the Meraviglia-class flagship should also exercise increased caution while leaving the cruise port.
No Impact to the Itinerary
Luckily for MSC guests, there is no impact to the current 7-night Bahamas sailing or the identical voyage that will leave New York to sail to paradise on January 25.
The calls to Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida; MSC Ocean Cay in the Bahamas; and Nassau, Bahamas, are all expected to go ahead as planned.
This, of course, is in stark contrast to ships like Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, which had to cut its sailing short and return to Galveston, Texas, one day early to get ahead of the storm.
Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line had to delay Carnival Pride’s return to Baltimore because of the weather, and also issued alerts for Carnival Jubilee in Galveston and Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk.
Of course, this is still a developing situation and last-minute changes related to the historic winter storm are always possible.
Guests who are planning to set sail this weekend in the US Midwest, South, or East Coast should keep an eye out for updates from their cruise line and opt in to travel alerts when possible.
