Guests booked on Carnival Sunshine’s upcoming cruise from Norfolk are facing a change of plans after Carnival Cruise Line confirmed the ship will depart one day later than originally scheduled.
The delay comes as severe winter weather forces the Port of Norfolk to close temporarily, preventing the ship from returning on time from its current sailing.
In a notice sent to guests on Friday, February 6, Carnival explained that unfavorable conditions in the area made it unsafe for port operations to continue as planned.
As a result, the Carnival Sunshine is now expected to arrive back in Norfolk on Sunday, February 8, instead of Saturday. This late arrival means the next cruise will have to be shortened by one day.
Carnival emphasized that guest safety remains the top priority and said the situation continues to be closely monitored in case conditions improve or change.
Shortened Cruise and Possible Itinerary Changes Ahead
The affected sailing was originally planned as an eight-night round-trip cruise from Norfolk, with stops in popular Caribbean destinations including Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Amber Cove.
Because the ship will now sail a day later than scheduled, Carnival confirmed that the itinerary will be adjusted, although final port plans have not yet been announced.
Guests were advised not to travel to the terminal until receiving a final operational update from the cruise line. Carnival encouraged passengers to watch their emails closely and to sign up for real-time text alerts to stay informed as decisions are finalized.
The cruise line acknowledged that forecast conditions can shift quickly and assured guests that further updates would be shared as soon as they become available.
The disruption follows a wider pattern of winter weather impacts, with multiple Carnival sailings facing delays and itinerary uncertainty as storms continue to affect ports along the U.S. East Coast.
Refunds Issued as Carnival Works to Minimize Disruption
To help offset the inconvenience, Carnival Cruise Line confirmed it will issue a one-day, pro-rated refund for the cruise fare to all affected guests. The refund will be returned to the original form of payment within approximately three weeks.
In addition to the cruise fare refund, Carnival will also reimburse guests for one day of any prepaid onboard packages, including drink packages and gratuities. This automatic refund process means guests will not need to submit a request.
Carnival apologized for the disruption, thanking guests for their patience and understanding as weather conditions continue to impact travel plans along the East Coast.
While the delay may be disappointing, the cruise line reiterated its commitment to keeping both guests and crew safe while working to deliver the best possible vacation experience under challenging conditions.
