The Nordic Empress will not arrive in Dockyard this week because the storm at the end of last week delayed her departure from the Island.

The high winds and rough seas meant she could not leave Dockyard on Friday. She set sail on Saturday and arrived in Philadelphia yesterday.

Michael Sheehan, a spokesman for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, which owns the ship, said the company decided to cancel this week's sailing because passengers would not have enough time in Bermuda.

This week was due to be her last voyage to Bermuda for the season and Royal Caribbean is offering guests booked on the trip a refund.

But the ship will call into Bermuda again next week after leaving Philadelphia on October 21 for an eight day cruise to San Juan. The "repositioning" cruise will see the ship sailing to the Caribbean for the rest of the winter.