Carnival Spirit’s arrival in Mobile, Alabama, was delayed after heavy fog reduced visibility in the port area.
The ship was originally scheduled to dock on Sunday morning, but was forced to wait offshore.
The update was shared by Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald, who explained the situation to guests. Fog conditions led port authorities to temporarily close the harbour until visibility improved.
Impact on Arrival and Docking Schedule
Because of the fog, the 2001-built Carnival Spirit was only able to dock about four hours later than planned. The ship finally arrived at the cruise terminal later in the morning once conditions allowed.
Heald noted that standard turnaround procedures had to be followed once the ship arrived. Disembarking guests needed to leave the terminal and parking areas before new passengers could begin boarding.
As a result of the delayed docking, guests scheduled to board the Dec. 28, 2025, cruise were asked to adjust their plans. Carnival requested that embarking passengers arrive at the Mobile Cruise Terminal three hours later than originally scheduled.
The update follows similar recent adjustments made by Carnival in the region, including changes to Australian sailings linked to the sale of a cruise port in Papua New Guinea.
The cruise line thanked guests for their patience and understanding during the delay. Heald reassured travellers that the crew was ready to welcome them once boarding began.
New Year’s Cruise Still on Track
Despite the delay, Carnival Spirit’s New Year’s sailing remained scheduled to operate as planned. The eight-night cruise includes celebrations onboard as guests ring in the New Year at sea.
The itinerary features three stops in the Bahamas, including Nassau and two private destinations. Celebration Key and Princess Cays remain part of the planned route.
While the ship was initially set to depart Mobile at 3:30 p.m., the delayed arrival shifted departure to later in the evening. At this time, it remains unclear whether the late sailing will impact any port visits.
Carnival Spirit’s Mobile Operations
Carnival Spirit repositioned to Mobile in late October and has been sailing regularly from Alabama since then.
The ship currently offers a mix of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from the port.
In a related update, Carnival also advised guests of possible delays for Carnival Miracle in Tampa on the same day. While delays were possible, turnaround operations there reportedly continued as scheduled.
Carnival emphasised that safety and coordination with port authorities remain top priorities. Weather-related delays, while inconvenient, are sometimes unavoidable during winter sailing seasons.
