Grandeur of the Seas Passengers Get an Unexpected Itinerary Change
Royal Caribbean guests booked aboard Grandeur of the Seas for the January 23, 2027 sailing are getting an unexpected twist to their Southern Caribbean vacation. While many travelers specifically book the popular “ABC Islands” itinerary to experience Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, one sailing will now skip Bonaire entirely and replace it with a destination that few Royal Caribbean passengers ever get the opportunity to visit: Santa Marta, Colombia.
The itinerary adjustment affects the seven-night roundtrip cruise sailing from Colón, Panama. According to Royal Caribbean’s notification to booked guests, the ship will now call on Santa Marta from 8AM until 5PM on Monday, January 25, replacing what had originally been a scheduled sea day. The previously planned visit to Kralendijk, Bonaire has been removed, and that day has instead become the cruise’s new sea day.
Everything else remains unchanged. Guests will still enjoy stops in Cartagena, Colombia, Willemstad, Curaçao, and Oranjestad, Aruba before returning to Colón on January 30.
For travelers who already purchased Royal Caribbean shore excursions in Bonaire, the cruise line confirmed those excursions will automatically be canceled and refunded to the original payment method.
Why Did Royal Caribbean Remove Bonaire?
Royal Caribbean hasn’t provided a specific explanation for the itinerary change.
Instead, the cruise line offered its standard statement that itinerary adjustments occasionally become necessary while finalizing port schedules, operational requirements, and logistical arrangements. While that answer may frustrate some guests, itinerary modifications are actually fairly common throughout the cruise industry. In fact, most cruise contracts explicitly state that itinerary changes may happen at any time and is not grounds for a refund.
Interestingly, Bonaire wasn’t expected to be crowded that day. Grandeur of the Seas would have been the only cruise ship docked in Kralendijk on January 26, eliminating congestion as the likely cause.
Safety concerns also appear unlikely. The U.S. State Department continues to classify Bonaire under Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions, making it one of the Caribbean’s lower-risk destinations for American travelers.
Some cruise fans initially speculated that fuel efficiency could be behind the decision, but geographically that explanation doesn’t entirely add up. Bonaire and Curaçao are separated by only about 42 miles, and Grandeur of the Seas is still scheduled to visit Willemstad the following day.
That leaves several other possibilities, including temporary port maintenance, berth availability, local operational issues, scheduling conflicts, or even adjustments tied to shore excursion capacity. Cruise lines routinely make these types of refinements months before sailing to ensure smoother operations once guests are onboard.
A Rare Opportunity to Visit Santa Marta
Although missing Bonaire may disappoint some Caribbean cruisers, Santa Marta offers something arguably even more valuable: rarity.
Unlike Cartagena, which regularly welcomes large cruise ships throughout the year, Santa Marta receives only a handful of cruise calls. During January 2027, just three other cruise ships are expected to visit the Colombian port. In fact, Grandeur of the Seas will be the largest vessel to call there that month.
Founded in 1525, Santa Marta is widely recognized as the second-oldest surviving Spanish city in South America. Its colonial history stretches back more than five centuries, giving visitors a fascinating blend of Spanish architecture, Caribbean culture, Indigenous heritage, and modern tourism.
The city is also famous as the place where South American liberator Simón Bolívar spent his final days before his death in 1830. History enthusiasts can visit Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, the historic estate where Bolívar died. The beautifully preserved grounds feature botanical gardens, museums, sculptures, and exhibits that tell the story of Colombia’s independence movement.
For travelers interested in authentic cultural experiences, this is a destination that feels very different from the typical Caribbean beach stop.
What Cruise Passengers Should Do in Santa Marta
With approximately nine hours in port, cruise guests have enough time to experience several of Santa Marta’s highlights without feeling rushed.
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Parque de los Novios
One of the city’s most popular gathering places is Parque de los Novios, a lively plaza surrounded by colorful colonial buildings, cafés, restaurants, boutique hotels, and local bars. During the day it’s ideal for walking, shopping, and sampling traditional Colombian coffee, while evenings bring live music and outdoor dining.
El Rodadero Beach
Only a short drive from the cruise terminal sits El Rodadero Beach, one of Colombia’s best-known urban beaches. The calm Caribbean waters make it perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing beneath rented umbrellas. Waterfront restaurants serve freshly caught seafood, ceviche, coconut rice, fried plantains, and local tropical fruit juices.
Tayrona National Nature Park
Travelers looking for adventure should consider excursions toward Tayrona National Natural Park, located roughly 45 minutes from Santa Marta. Frequently ranked among Colombia’s top natural attractions, Tayrona combines rainforest, mountains, white-sand beaches, and crystal-clear Caribbean water. Visitors won’t have enough cruise time to complete every hiking trail inside the park, but guided shore excursions typically offer shorter visits featuring scenic overlooks, wildlife spotting, and access to some of the park’s stunning beaches. Nature lovers should keep an eye out for howler monkeys, colorful birds, iguanas, butterflies, and tropical flora found throughout the protected reserve.
Village of Taganga
Another worthwhile option is the small fishing village of Taganga, located just outside Santa Marta. The relaxed waterfront community has become one of Colombia’s most popular diving and snorkeling destinations thanks to its clear water and nearby coral reefs. Even visitors who don’t dive can enjoy fresh seafood lunches while watching fishing boats return to shore.
Local Food & Culture
Food lovers shouldn’t miss sampling authentic Caribbean Colombian cuisine. Local specialties include arepas de huevo, grilled red snapper, coconut rice, patacones, empanadas, and fresh tropical fruits like lulo, guanábana, maracuyá, and mango. Colombian coffee is another must-try, especially at locally owned cafés showcasing beans grown in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains.
Shoppers can browse artisan markets featuring handcrafted bags, woven mochilas created by Indigenous Arhuaco communities, colorful jewelry, locally produced coffee, and Colombian emerald-inspired souvenirs.
Santa Marta Fits Colombia’s Growing Cruise Tourism
Santa Marta’s inclusion comes as Colombia continues expanding its appeal as a cruise destination.
While Cartagena remains the country’s largest cruise hub, tourism officials have increasingly promoted Santa Marta thanks to recent investments in tourism infrastructure, waterfront improvements, and visitor services. The city offers cruise passengers a more relaxed atmosphere than some larger Caribbean ports while serving as a gateway to both cultural landmarks and spectacular natural scenery.
For cruisers on the Grandeur of the Seas, this stop provides access to a destination that many travelers have never experienced. Rather than revisiting another familiar Caribbean island, passengers will have the chance to explore one of Colombia’s oldest cities, learn about South American history, experience authentic local cuisine, and enjoy landscapes ranging from colonial plazas to tropical rainforests. Sometimes the best travel memories come from the destinations no one expected—and Santa Marta just might become the surprise favorite of the voyage.
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