Josephine Has a Name, Vance Is Getting Stronger, and Two Big Cruise Deals End Tonight: What to Do Before You Sail | October 22, 2026

The storm that turned a Bahamas cruise into a trip to Halifax finally got a name, a new Pacific storm is expected to become a major hurricane by the weekend, and two of the biggest cruise deals of the week end tonight at midnight, so this is the Thursday cruise update to hear before you book or board. In this Wander With Milford cruise update, Milford explains what the National Hurricane Center is saying about Subtropical Storm Josephine and Tropical Storm Vance, how Oasis of the Seas and Vision of the Seas are wrapping up their rerouted sailings, why three ships are rushing into Southampton ahead of Storm Austen, and what Legend of the Seas' skipped Marseille call teaches us about travel insurance. You'll also hear about the Norwegian and Royal Caribbean deals that end tonight, why it may pay to wait one more day for Celebrity's weekend savings, Carnival's offers through Monday, Norwegian Bella opening for booking, MSC's new eight-person Grand Hamptons Villa, AAA's record 2027 cruise forecast, a fake Royal Caribbean gratuity letter, and a canceled 2027 Brilliant Lady Halloween cruise. This week's updates include: • Subtropical Storm Josephine has 65 mph winds about 195 miles south-southeast of Nantucket as of the NHC's 5 a.m. AST advisory, moving away from the U.S. with no coastal warnings; it should become a powerful extratropical storm with hurricane-force winds by early Friday, with coastal flooding and dangerous surf along the East Coast • Oasis of the Seas got her full day in Halifax and returns to Cape Liberty early Sunday; Vision of the Seas is due back in Baltimore today • Tropical Storm Vance has 50 mph winds about 510 miles south-southwest of Acapulco, with no coastal warnings, but is forecast to rapidly strengthen into a major hurricane by Saturday, with swells reaching southern and southwestern Mexico this weekend • Storm Austen brings P&O's Arvia, MSC Preziosa and MSC Virtuosa into Southampton early tonight, and MSC Preziosa now departs Friday at 6 p.m. • Legend of the Seas skipped Marseille on October 20, citing weather • Norwegian's free second guest and up to $750 off balcony and above, and Royal Caribbean's Short Getaway deals from $299, end tonight, October 22 • Royal Caribbean's new onboard flash sale runs October 21 to 28, with up to 45% off the Deluxe Beverage Package and up to 50% off Perfect Day at CocoCay • Celebrity offers up to $700 in onboard credit today, then up to $800 in savings plus a $100 weekend flash discount October 23 to 26; the Fall Sale runs through November 5 • Carnival's reduced deposits, free third and fourth guests and up to $250 onboard credit run through October 26; Fall Fun Savings runs through October 31 • Virgin Voyages' weekly Sail and Save starts at $69 per sailor per night, and Margaritaville at Sea's 65% Black Friday early access runs through November 3 • Norwegian Bella opened for booking ahead of her May 2028 debut from Barcelona • MSC's Grand Hamptons Villa for up to eight guests is on sale for MSC World Atlantic, debuting from Port Canaveral November 13, 2027 • AAA forecasts a record 22.4 million U.S. ocean cruisers in 2027 • Royal Caribbean says gratuities are still optional and adjustable, and beverage and dining gratuities remain 18% When the weather or a deadline changes your plans overnight, Wander With Milford helps you compare the real price, restrictions and overall value. Book your next cruise at wanderwithmilford.com.