Carnival Sunshine has been delayed returning to Norfolk, Virginia, after rough weather associated with a nor'easter forced the ship to reduce speed and adjust its course toward calmer waters.
The Carnival Cruise Line ship had been scheduled to arrive back in Norfolk on Sunday 27 September following an eight-night Canada cruise, but Carnival said safety considerations meant the vessel would instead return on Monday 28 September.
Ship slowed and changed course
Carnival said its Fleet Operations Center was monitoring the nor'easter affecting parts of the US East Coast while Carnival Sunshine sailed south towards Norfolk after completing its Canadian itinerary.
The cruise line said the ship reduced speed and adjusted course towards calmer waters because of the storm's position and in the interest of the safety of everyone aboard.
The eight-night voyage had departed Norfolk on 19 September and included calls at Halifax, Sydney and Saint John.
Next cruise shortened to five nights
The delayed arrival has also affected passengers booked on Carnival Sunshine's next sailing.
The ship had been scheduled to depart Norfolk on Sunday 27 September on a six-night Bahamas cruise visiting Bimini, Nassau and Celebration Key. The voyage will instead depart on Monday 28 September and operate as a five-night cruise.
Bimini has been removed from the revised itinerary. The Nassau call remains scheduled for Wednesday 30 September but has been moved from its original daytime visit to a revised call from 1pm until 9pm.
The scheduled visit to Celebration Key on Thursday 1 October remains unchanged, with the ship due alongside from 7am until 3pm. Carnival Sunshine is expected to return to Norfolk as planned on Saturday 3 October.
Refunds for affected passengers
Carnival has advised passengers on the shortened sailing that they will receive a one-day pro-rata refund of their cruise fare to their original form of payment.
Guests will also receive pro-rata refunds covering applicable prepaid packages and gratuities. Carnival-booked excursions for the cancelled Bimini call will be refunded, while excursions in Nassau will be adjusted where possible to reflect the revised port times.
Weather disrupting East Coast cruises
Carnival Sunshine is one of several cruise ships affected by the nor'easter along the US East Coast, with cruise lines adjusting routes, speeds and itineraries to avoid the worst conditions.
Weather-related itinerary decisions can change at short notice, and passengers due to travel should continue to check communications issued directly by their cruise line.