Winter Weather Delays Carnival Pride's Baltimore Departure 5 Hours

Carnival Cruise Line has delayed Carnival Pride’s Feb. 8, 2026 departure from Baltimore by five hours after rough winter weather slowed the ship’s return to Maryland. The same weather system is also disrupting Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, where a port closure has already forced schedule changes that shorten the ship’s next sailing.

Baltimore: Carnival Pride embarkation moved into the evening

Guests scheduled to board Carnival Pride on Sunday, Feb. 8 for a seven-night Bahamas cruise have been told the embarkation process will begin later than planned because the ship’s arrival into Baltimore has been pushed back to mid-afternoon. Carnival said the ship is expected to depart as soon as possible once boarding is completed.

Under the revised plan, all check-in windows shift back by five hours, and guests must be checked in no later than 8 p.m. Carnival has also instructed passengers not to arrive before their updated times because the terminal cannot accommodate early arrivals while debarkation, customs processing, and ship turnaround work are still underway.

• Arrival appointments shifted: A noon check-in has been moved to 5 p.m., and the final window has moved from 2:30–3 p.m. to 7:30–8 p.m.
• Transportation updates: Guests who booked airport transfers through Carnival will have their air-to-ship transportation adjusted automatically to match the new timeline.

How the turnaround changes debarkation and onboard access

The later arrival also affects the cruise ending in Baltimore on Feb. 8. Carnival said guests currently onboard Carnival Pride will be allowed to remain in their staterooms beyond the standard morning timeline, though they are encouraged to vacate as the ship approaches port so housekeeping and inspection work can begin.

Once the ship docks, debarking guests must clear customs and leave the terminal area before embarkation guests can move through check-in in larger numbers, the line said, describing the sequencing as necessary to reduce congestion and keep operations moving.

Dining adjustments planned for embarkation day

Because the delayed check-in period overlaps with typical dinner hours, Carnival said it will shift the main dining rooms to open seating on embarkation night rather than assigned dining times and table numbers. The Lido Marketplace buffet is expected to remain open as usual, and guests will receive announcements once staterooms are ready as the compressed cleaning schedule is completed.

Itinerary remains scheduled, with timing dependent on sea conditions

As of the latest update, Carnival Pride’s seven-night itinerary had not been changed. The sailing remains scheduled to call at Half Moon Cay on Wednesday, Feb. 11, Nassau on Thursday, and Celebration Key on Friday, Feb. 13, though Carnival said adjustments could still be made if conditions warrant.

Carnival also indicated the ship may increase speed after departing Maryland in an effort to keep the planned schedule intact, and that any changes would be communicated onboard if necessary.

Norfolk: Carnival Sunshine delayed, and the next cruise shortened

Carnival Sunshine has also been affected by the same winter weather, with the Port of Norfolk closed on Feb. 7. Carnival said the closure delayed the ship’s return to its homeport by a day, to Feb. 8, and that the next scheduled voyage has already been shortened from eight nights to seven nights as a result.

Carnival notified guests by email and said it would provide an update on embarkation and itinerary changes no later than 3 p.m. on Feb. 7. The original itinerary for the canceled eight-night voyage included stops at Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove; Carnival has not confirmed whether all three ports will remain part of the revised seven-night plan, with timing dependent on when the ship can depart Norfolk.

Carnival Sunshine’s disruption follows a pattern from earlier sailings this winter. The cruise line said this is the third consecutive voyage on the ship affected by rough weather, including prior itinerary adjustments that canceled port calls such as skipping Bimini in favor of Nassau and Celebration Key to avoid severe conditions.

What Carnival told guests about weather risks

In an advisory sent ahead of the final Baltimore schedule confirmation, Carnival told guests it was tracking conditions that could affect the ship’s return and turnaround. “Our Fleet Operations Center is monitoring weather reports and unfavorable conditions are forecasted as the ship returns home,” the cruise line wrote, adding that those conditions “may delay the arrival and, possibly, impact your embarkation.”

Carnival Pride ship details

Carnival Pride is a Spirit Class cruise ship measuring 88,500 gross tons. The vessel carries 2,124 passengers and sails with a crew of more than 900.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the latest time to check in for the Feb. 8, 2026 Carnival Pride cruise?

Carnival said all guests must check in no later than 8 p.m. under the revised embarkation schedule.

Should guests arrive early to the Baltimore cruise terminal if their schedule is disrupted?

No. Carnival has advised guests not to arrive before their newly assigned check-in times because the terminal cannot accommodate early arrivals while debarkation and customs processing are underway.

Will Carnival Pride still visit Half Moon Cay, Nassau, and Celebration Key?

No itinerary changes had been confirmed in the latest update, and those port calls remain scheduled. Carnival said timing will depend on the ship’s final departure and sea conditions, and any adjustments would be communicated onboard.

Why was Carnival Sunshine’s next voyage reduced from eight nights to seven nights?

Carnival said the Port of Norfolk closure on Feb. 7 delayed the ship’s return, reducing the available time for the subsequent sailing and prompting the change from an eight-night itinerary to a seven-night itinerary.

Will Carnival provide compensation for the shortened Carnival Sunshine cruise?

Carnival had not announced compensation in the updates described. The cruise line typically communicates refund or onboard credit details directly to affected guests when a decision is made.

Carnival has told affected guests to rely on email and text alerts for updated embarkation instructions as conditions evolve, with Carnival Sunshine guests specifically expecting further guidance by the afternoon of Feb. 7 and Carnival Pride aiming to sail shortly after evening check-in concludes on Feb. 8.