Ovation of the Seas Forced to Sail to Nowhere Due to Tropical Cyclone

Ovation of the Seas in Asia (Photo Credit: IslandFrame)

The Atlantic hurricane season may end in just three more days, but that doesn’t mean storms are not impacting cruise ships and ports of call.

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, in fact, is cancelling its only port visit for the sailing that departed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, due to the influence of Tropical Cyclone Senyar.

The Quantum-class ship is homeported from Singapore, offering primarily short 3- and 4-night getaways. Unfortunately, the current sailing will only be a cruise to nowhere because of the need to cancel the planned visit to Penang, Malaysia.

Guests were informed of the itinerary change when they boarded the ship.

“Along with our Meteorologist, Peyton Collado, we’ve been monitoring the development of Tropical Cyclone Senyar along our path to Malaysia,” the notification read. “To safely avoid the impact of the storm, we’ll have to skip our visit to Penang, Malaysia, and enjoy an additional Sea Day instead.”

The visit to Penang was to have been on Friday, November 28, from 3-9:30 p.m. Because of the short length of the sailing, there are no alternative ports that can be arranged for a suitable visit.

The 168,700-gross-ton Ovation of the Seas is still departing Singapore as planned, and the ship’s return to Singapore is also not impacted by the storm. The ship can welcome 4,180 guests onboard at double occupancy, or up to 4,905 guests when fully booked with all berths filled.

Any pre-booked Royal Caribbean shore excursions for Penang will be automatically cancelled and refunded to guests as onboard credit for the cruise. If the credit is not used, it will be returned to the card on file following debarkation.

Ovation of the Seas is homeported from Singapore through mid-March 2026, at which time she will undergo dry dock refreshment prior to setting sail for the Alaska season with departures from Vancouver and Seward.

In September 2026, Ovation of the Seas will begin homeporting from Los Angeles with Catalina and Ensenada sailings.

What Can Guests Do Instead?

Without a port visit on the current itinerary, guests will have ample time to explore all that Ovation of the Seas has to offer.

The ship not only features iconic Royal Caribbean attractions like the rock climbing wall and the FlowRider surf simulator, but is also one of the few ships in the fleet with the skydiving adventure, RipCord by iFly.

The adults-only Solarium is a great spot to relax, while the various bars and restaurants onboard will be great for treats. The casino will be open, and the entertainment staff are sure to plan extra activities and options for the unexpected day at sea.

Tropical Cyclone Senyar

Currently centered on the western coast of Malaysia, Tropical Cyclone Senyar has maximum sustained winds of 25 knots (29 miles per hour), with higher gusts recorded.

While the storm is not necessarily a very strong one, the fact that it is located just 120 miles south-southeast of Penang means it is unwise to attempt docking in what could be challenging conditions.

Tropical Cyclone Senyar is projected to move east across the Malaysian peninsula over the next 24 hours, then move out into the South China Sea.

It is unlikely to strengthen significantly, but an abundance of caution is always the best decision to ensure the ship, guests, and crew members remain safe.