Carnival Delays Sunshine Norfolk Turnaround After Winter Storm Closes Port

Carnival Cruise Line has delayed Carnival Sunshine’s early-February 2026 turnaround in Norfolk, Virginia by one day after severe winter weather closed the Port of Norfolk. The shift forces the next sailing, originally scheduled to depart Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, to begin on Sunday, Feb. 8 and run one day shorter than planned.

Port closure pushes arrival and departure to Feb. 8

Carnival Sunshine was scheduled to return to Norfolk on Saturday, Feb. 7, but blustery conditions led to a port closure that prevented the ship from docking. In a message to booked guests, Carnival said, “Due to unfavorable weather, the Port of Norfolk will be closed Saturday, February 7,” adding that the ship would arrive a day later, on Sunday, Feb. 8.

The delay also meant the Feb. 7 departure could not proceed as planned. Carnival told guests the sailing would start on Feb. 8, with embarkation logistics adjusted to match the new turnaround day.

Embarkation in Norfolk: appointments, cutoffs, and shifting instructions

Carnival initially instructed guests to keep their pre-selected terminal arrival appointments, shifted by one day, and said embarkation procedures would not be changed simply because of the cold. Guests were told to adhere to their assigned arrival times and board by 3 p.m. on Sunday.

As the cruise line reworked the turnaround, it also communicated firm operational deadlines. In one update, Carnival told guests they must be at the cruise terminal no later than 3:00 p.m., with a planned departure time of 4:30 p.m.

On Sunday morning, Carnival issued another message citing “a system-related matter” affecting debarkation and embarkation operations. Guests were instructed to arrive two hours later than their original terminal appointment time, and the cruise line said it was “planning for all guests to be on board by 4:30 PM.”

A seven-night itinerary, with Half Moon Cay removed

Because the ship could not turn around on Feb. 7, the next voyage was reduced from an eight-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary to seven nights. The original plan included calls at Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove, but the revised schedule removes Half Moon Cay, including the planned visit to RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay that had been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10.

• Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos): The ship is scheduled to arrive earlier than originally planned, with an extended stay from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
• Amber Cove (Dominican Republic): The Thursday, Feb. 12 call remains on the schedule without a change to the published timing.

Refunds for the lost day and cancelled shore excursions

Carnival said it will issue a one-day, pro-rated refund of the cruise fare because the voyage was shortened. The cruise line also said it will provide an equivalent pro-rated refund for certain pre-purchased items tied to the lost day, including pre-paid gratuities and eligible onboard packages. Carnival told guests refunds would be returned to the original form of payment within three weeks.

For the cancelled Half Moon Cay call, Carnival is automatically cancelling and refunding shore excursions purchased through the cruise line. Guests with questions about tours and timing changes were directed to the Carnival Adventures desk, located portside forward on Deck 3 (Lobby Deck). Carnival also warned that some shore tour schedules in Grand Turk could be adjusted to align with the updated port hours.

Cold-weather guidance as Norfolk faces extreme conditions

The disruption came amid unusually cold conditions in Norfolk. Carnival cautioned guests to prepare for temperatures around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with strong winds expected to drive wind chills much lower. The National Weather Service also forecast extremely cold conditions with wind chills near zero degrees in Norfolk on embarkation day, and the forecast included wind gusts up to 48 mph along with marine advisories affecting parts of the Chesapeake Bay.

Carnival advised guests to dress in layers and noted that the ship’s design includes many open deck areas, which can make warming interior spaces more challenging while alongside. The cruise line also said it would take extra steps to warm interior spaces while the ship is in port, without detailing each measure, and advised guests they may be asked to keep balcony doors closed until the ship is underway and headed south to help retain heat in stateroom corridors and adjacent areas.

Once Carnival Sunshine heads south, forecasts for Feb. 10 and beyond showed temperatures reaching the 70s and 80s in itinerary destinations such as Grand Turk and Amber Cove.

Another weather-affected stretch for Carnival Sunshine and other ships

The Norfolk delay follows other winter-weather disruptions for Carnival Sunshine. On the Feb. 1 sailing, Carnival adjusted the ship’s route to avoid rough seas and cancelled a planned call at Bimini, while keeping other stops with modified timing. Earlier, during the Jan. 24 voyage, the ship’s return to Norfolk was moved up by a day to get ahead of deteriorating conditions, which resulted in the cancellation of a scheduled visit to Grand Turk.

In a letter delivered onboard, Carnival Sunshine’s Captain Leonardo Contarino wrote, “We have been actively monitoring weather forecasts,” adding that the ship needed extra time to sail ahead of the storm.

Carnival Sunshine’s recent schedule changes have come as severe weather has disrupted operations more broadly along the U.S. East Coast. Carnival Pride and Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas have also made adjustments to avoid storms and prioritize safety.

How guests are being updated, and what’s next

Carnival said it continues to work with its Fleet Operations Center to monitor conditions and make any necessary changes, while keeping passengers informed through email and text updates. For real-time alerts, the cruise line directed guests to enroll by texting CCL5 to 278473 (CRUISE).

The ship is still expected to return to Norfolk on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, at 8 a.m., with Carnival saying it will share any further changes affecting arrival, embarkation, or debarkation as soon as they are confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why was the Feb. 7, 2026 sailing delayed?

Carnival delayed the turnaround after severe winter weather led to the closure of the Port of Norfolk on Feb. 7, preventing Carnival Sunshine from docking and turning around as scheduled. The ship’s arrival and the sailing’s embarkation moved to Sunday, Feb. 8.

What itinerary changes were made to the sailing originally scheduled for Feb. 7, 2026?

The cruise was shortened from eight nights to seven nights, and the planned call at Half Moon Cay was cancelled. Grand Turk and Amber Cove remain on the itinerary, with updated timing and an extended stay in Grand Turk on Feb. 11.

Will guests receive refunds for the shortened cruise and cancelled Half Moon Cay stop?

Yes. Carnival said it will provide a one-day, pro-rated refund of cruise fare and certain pre-purchased items tied to the lost day, including pre-paid gratuities and eligible onboard packages. The cruise line is also automatically refunding shore excursions purchased through Carnival for Half Moon Cay, with refunds expected within three weeks to the original form of payment.

How can passengers get the latest updates from Carnival?

Carnival told guests to monitor email communications and enroll in text alerts. Guests were directed to text CCL5 to 278473 (CRUISE) to receive messages as operational details change.