Carnival Cruise Delayed a Full Day as Nor’easter Forces Ship Toward Calmer Waters

If you’re sailing on Carnival Sunshine this week, your itinerary has changed. A nor’easter (a storm along the East Coast of North America) forced the ship to slow down and head toward calmer waters, delaying its return to Norfolk by a full day.

Carnival Sunshine left Norfolk on September 19 for an eight-night cruise to Canada, with stops in Saint John, Halifax and Sydney. The ship was supposed to return on Sunday, September 27.

Instead, Carnival says the ship is expected back on Monday, September 28. That also means the next cruise, which was supposed to leave Sunday for six nights in the Bahamas, has been shortened to five nights.

Carnival has since shared more details with guests. Bimini is off the schedule, Nassau’s hours have changed, and Celebration Key is still happening.

Carnival Sunshine Had To Slow Down

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Carnival said its Fleet Operations Center was monitoring the nor’easter as the ship made its way back from Canada.

Because of the storm, the ship reduced its speed and changed course toward calmer waters instead of taking its usual route closer to the coast.

The weather was also causing problems back in Virginia. The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Norfolk on Sunday, with shallow flooding possible near the waterfront and other low-lying areas.

Several other cruise ships along the East Coast changed their plans because of the same storm.

Bimini Is Off The Schedule

The next Carnival Sunshine cruise was supposed to visit Bimini, Nassau and Celebration Key. Bimini has now been dropped completely.

Nassau is still on the schedule for September 30, but the ship will visit from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. instead of the original 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. stop.

Celebration Key is staying the same, with a planned visit from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 1. Carnival still expects the ship to return to Norfolk on October 3.

If you already booked a Carnival excursion in Bimini, it will be canceled and refunded. Nassau excursions will be adjusted when possible, and any that can’t be changed will also be refunded.

Guests Are Getting Some Money Back

Since the cruise is now one day shorter, guests will get a one-day prorated refund of their cruise fare. Carnival is also refunding one day of prepaid gratuities and eligible packages, including Wi-Fi and drink packages.

Guests don’t need to pick a new arrival time for Monday. Carnival told passengers to arrive during the same terminal appointment they originally selected, just one day later.

Everyone needs to be onboard by 3 p.m. before Carnival Sunshine heads back out for its shortened Bahamas cruise.