Carnival Firenze Departs Long Beach 21 Hours Late After IT Outage

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze departed the Port of Long Beach about 21 hours later than planned after an IT and connectivity failure disrupted key onboard systems during embarkation for a six-night Mexican Riviera sailing on Dec. 15, 2025. The delayed departure, into the early afternoon of Dec. 16, ultimately forced itinerary changes, including the cancellation of a scheduled stop in Ensenada, Mexico.

What happened during embarkation in Long Beach

Carnival Firenze, a 4,232-guest ship, was scheduled to sail mid-afternoon on Dec. 15 but remained docked overnight while technical teams worked to restore systems needed for normal operations. Guests described widespread outages affecting the onboard network and the Carnival Hub app, including reports that booking information could not be accessed during the disruption.

Passengers also said the outage extended beyond basic Wi‑Fi access, impacting app functions tied to cruise bookings and onboard connectivity. According to guest accounts, operations for disembarkation earlier on Dec. 15 were normal before the issue developed later in the day as the next voyage’s guests began boarding.

Ship-tracking timing and onboard updates put Carnival Firenze’s eventual departure at roughly 1:20 to 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 16.

John Heald ties the delay to internet connectivity

As questions spread online during the extended stay in port, Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald responded on social media and linked the disruption to a network problem. “It is Internet connectivity, and I know the teams are working very hard,” Heald wrote in one response.

Heald also sought to reassure guests about the onboard experience during the delay, adding that he could say “without doubt” that guests were still enjoying themselves while the issue was being resolved. In earlier replies as travelers pressed for updated timing, Heald told followers, “Thank you for your patience,” and noted that the captain would communicate directly with those onboard.

How the six-night itinerary changed

Carnival Firenze’s original plan called for an overnight visit to Cabo San Lucas, followed by a later call in Ensenada, before returning to Long Beach on Dec. 21, 2025. During the disruption, guests were briefed on contingency options, including that if the ship had departed later on Dec. 15, the order of ports could be switched, moving Ensenada earlier and pushing Cabo to later dates.

Once the departure slipped into the next day, Carnival ultimately removed Ensenada from the itinerary and proceeded with Cabo San Lucas on revised timing.

• Original schedule (as planned): Depart Long Beach on Dec. 15, arrive Cabo San Lucas for an overnight stay on Dec. 17–18, call on Ensenada on Dec. 20, then return to Long Beach on Dec. 21, 2025.
• Revised schedule (after the delay): Depart Long Beach on Dec. 16, keep the overnight Cabo San Lucas call on adjusted dates (postponed to Dec. 18–19), and cancel the Ensenada stop, returning to Long Beach on Dec. 21, 2025.

Compensation and passenger reaction

Guests reported that Carnival provided a $100 onboard credit per stateroom following the delayed departure and revised itinerary. The loss of the Ensenada call prompted frustration from some passengers on social media, particularly among those who planned activities around that stop, while others pointed out that cruise contracts typically allow itinerary adjustments when operational issues arise.

Why a shipwide tech outage can delay departure

As described in passenger accounts and public comments during the incident, the disruption affected systems tied to the ship’s onboard digital experience, including access to booking-related information. More broadly, modern cruise operations rely on connected systems that support core passenger services, and when those systems are unstable or guest data cannot be reliably accessed, operational constraints can affect a ship’s ability to sail on schedule.

Carnival did not provide a detailed technical explanation in the public responses cited, but the length of the delay and the need to revise port plans underscored the scale of the issue for this sailing.

About Carnival Firenze and what’s next

Carnival Firenze is a 135,500-gross-ton vessel originally built by Fincantieri in 2021 for Costa Cruises, a sister brand within Carnival Corporation, before transferring to Carnival Cruise Line. The ship joined Carnival’s fleet in early 2024 and began operating from Long Beach in April 2024 as part of the line’s “Fun Italian Style” concept, combining Italian-inspired design with elements of Carnival’s Fun Ship experience.

From Long Beach, Carnival Firenze operates year-round Mexican Riviera and Baja California itineraries, commonly calling on Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, with Catalina Island appearing on some sailings. For this disrupted voyage, the ship resumed its trip once the IT problem was resolved, sailed to Cabo San Lucas for the overnight visit on a revised schedule, and remained set to return to Long Beach on Dec. 21, 2025.

Looking further ahead, Carnival Firenze is scheduled to reposition to the East Coast in early 2027, first sailing from Miami for several Caribbean itineraries before moving to New York City to replace Carnival Venezia, with cruises planned to Bermuda, Canada, and the Eastern Caribbean.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long was Carnival Firenze delayed in Long Beach?

The ship’s departure slipped by about 21 hours, sailing around 1:20 to 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2025, after a planned mid-afternoon departure on Dec. 15.

What caused the Carnival Firenze departure delay?

The delay was tied to an IT and internet connectivity failure that disrupted onboard systems used for passenger services, including access to booking-related information and functions within the Carnival Hub app.

How did the delay affect the cruise itinerary?

After the delay extended into the next day, the Ensenada port call was removed from the schedule. The overnight visit to Cabo San Lucas remained in place but moved to revised dates and timing.

What compensation did Carnival offer to affected guests?

Passengers reported receiving a $100 onboard credit per stateroom following the delayed departure and itinerary change.

What is Carnival Firenze’s future plan after its Long Beach deployment?

Carnival Firenze is scheduled to reposition to the East Coast in early 2027, sailing from Miami for several Caribbean itineraries before moving to New York City to replace Carnival Venezia and offer cruises to Bermuda, Canada, and the Eastern Caribbean.