Carnival Cancels 11 Firenze Baja Cruises From Long Beach in 2026

Carnival Cruise Line has canceled 11 short cruises on Carnival Firenze that were scheduled to sail from Long Beach, California, between October 12 and November 16, 2026.

The affected voyages were marketed as three- and four-night Baja getaways, with calls at Ensenada, Mexico, and, on select itineraries, Catalina Island, California. Carnival notified booked guests by email and said the sailings would not operate as scheduled.

Which Baja itineraries were affected

The cancellations cover every Carnival Firenze departure in the October 12 to November 16, 2026 window. The removed trips were built around short Pacific Coast escapes from Long Beach, mixing time at sea with quick port visits in Mexico and Southern California.

• Four-night Baja itineraries: These cruises were scheduled to call on Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada, Mexico, combining two port stops in a long-weekend format from Long Beach.
• Three-night Baja itineraries: These sailings were planned as shorter Ensenada-only trips, offering a quick turnaround option for guests looking for a brief getaway.

Sailings immediately outside the canceled window remain on the schedule. Online booking data cited in coverage of the changes shows Carnival Firenze still listed for Baja itineraries before and after the gap, including departures on October 9 and November 20, 2026.

What Carnival said, and what remains unclear

In its notice to booked guests, Carnival described the move as part of changes to the ship’s itinerary planning and tied it to redeployment, without providing a detailed operational explanation. The company wrote, “We have made some changes to the itinerary plans for the Carnival Firenze and, unfortunately, your cruise has been cancelled.”

Beyond that statement, Carnival did not specify what change prompted the removals or what itinerary or assignment, if any, may replace the canceled departures. Around the time guests were notified, the affected sailings were no longer available to book on Carnival’s website, and no replacement options were posted for those dates.

Coverage of the cancellations also noted speculation among industry observers that the gap could be connected to an unplanned dry dock for maintenance or a redeployment, though Carnival has not confirmed either scenario.

Rebooking or refund options, and the March 25, 2026 deadline

Carnival offered guests two paths: move to a different cruise or receive a full refund. The cruise line set March 25, 2026 as the key date tied to both choices.

• Rebook by March 25, 2026: Guests who contact Carnival to move to a comparable sailing in similar accommodations can keep their original cruise rate. Carnival also said it will provide a $50 onboard credit per person, up to $100 per stateroom, as a goodwill gesture.
• Automatic cancellation and refund after March 25, 2026: Guests who do not wish to reschedule do not need to take action; Carnival said the reservation will be automatically canceled after the deadline. Refunds will cover the cruise fare and pre-paid items tied to the booking, including packages, shore excursions, and deposits that might normally be non-refundable, and can take up to about three weeks to appear depending on bank processing.

How the changes fit into Carnival Firenze’s broader plans

Carnival Firenze entered service with Carnival in 2024 after being built for Costa Cruises and transferred into Carnival’s fleet. The ship is part of the “Carnival Fun Italian Style” offering, which emphasizes Italian-themed food and drinks onboard.

Capacity and staffing figures cited in reporting on the cancellations put the ship at more than 4,000 guests, with nearly 1,500 crew members. Carnival has also scheduled the ship to leave California after its initial West Coast run, with Firenze slated to reposition to the East Coast in early 2027 to sail from Miami and New York City.

While itinerary changes and cancellations are not common, reporting on the Firenze cancellations noted that operators including Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have faced similar situations in recent years.

What booked guests can do now

Impacted guests can compare alternative sailings and decide whether to rebook by March 25, 2026 or allow the reservation to be automatically canceled for a full refund. Travelers who booked through a travel advisor can also work directly with their advisor to identify comparable sailings and cabin categories.

Carnival also recommended signing up for Carnival Text Alerts to receive booking updates, particularly if additional schedule changes or replacement options are posted later.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many Carnival Firenze cruises were canceled, and on what dates?

Carnival canceled 11 sailings on Carnival Firenze departing from Long Beach between October 12 and November 16, 2026.

What were the destinations on the canceled itineraries?

The canceled trips were three- and four-night Baja getaways. The four-night cruises included Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada, Mexico, while the three-night cruises were scheduled to visit Ensenada.

What is Carnival offering guests who rebook?

Guests who rebook a comparable sailing in similar accommodations by March 25, 2026 can keep their original rate and will receive a $50 onboard credit per person, up to $100 per stateroom.

If I don’t rebook, do I need to contact Carnival to get a refund?

No. Carnival said reservations will be automatically canceled after March 25, 2026, and refunds will be issued to the original form of payment. The refund includes cruise fares and pre-purchased items such as packages, shore excursions, and deposits, and can take up to about three weeks to appear.

Are sailings outside the canceled window still operating?

Yes. Departures immediately outside the October 12 to November 16, 2026 window remain on the schedule, including October 9 and November 20, 2026, and the ship is still listed for similar Baja itineraries before and after the affected period.