Carnival Cruise Line has begun contacting guests who have reservations on the upcoming cruise of the Mardi Gras and Carnival Vista about the change in their journey.
A total of 11 itineraries are affected, but fortunately, the affected itineraries run from November 2023 to April 2025, giving travelers plenty of time to change their plans if necessary.
Mardi Gras Change of Journey
Three methods have been changed Mardi Gras: November 11 and November 25 cruise in 2023, and April 5, 2025 cruise.
The November 11, 2023 cruise is a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, originally planned to spend the first day at sea, then call at Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan for the next three days. The trip would end with two additional days at sea before returning to Florida.
Now, a new cruise starts with two days at sea, so the schedule of ports is Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. The last day at sea will conclude the cruise.
The time in Cozumel it has also been slightly modified. Instead of 10am to 7pm as originally planned, passengers will be able to explore the famous Mexican port from 7am to 4pm – the same time as all, but different hours.
The November 25, 2023 voyage is a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise scheduled for two days at sea, then calling at San Juan, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk, with another day at sea to complete the voyage.
The itinerary will now be changed, with one day at sea, calling at Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and San Juan, and two days at sea. Port times have also been adjusted, although there is no lost time at any port.
The April 5, 2025 cruise, another 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, was similarly affected, moving port dates and changing times. The first trip was one day at sea, then visiting Grand Turk and Amber Cove, another day at sea, to Nassauand the last day at sea to complete the cruise.
Now, sailors will visit Nassau first, then Amber Cove, then Grand Turk. The first, third, and sixth full days of the cruise are at sea. Port times have also been updated but are the same time used for each port of call.
Carnival Vista Change of Journey
A total of eight trips are planned Carnival Vista after the ship is moved to Port Canaveral in November 2023.
The affected dates are November 26 and December 10, 2023; April 28 and December 22, 2024; and January 19, February 2, April 13, and April 27, 2025.
All 2023 and April 28, 2024 cruises are “Exotic Eastern Caribbean” 6-night cruises, calling at Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Puerto Plata.
For these three cruises, the scheduled visit to Half Moon Cay has been changed to Nassau, and the port date and time have also been changed.
Grand Turk and Amber Cove days were also changed and port times were changed, adding an hour to the port in Amber Cove and losing an hour to Grand Turk.
Changes to the remaining four affected flights – the December 22, 2024 flight and all affected 2025 dates – are limited. These are also 6 night “Exotic Eastern Caribbean” cruises, but the only change has been to change the itinerary Princess Cays is a trip to Half Moon Cay on the contrary.
Since both of them are on a private island, visitors can expect to enjoy very similar experiences and activities, even though they will now be visiting a different island.
For all the trips involved, either Mardi Gras or Carnival Vistano up or down time has changed at the start or end of any trip.
Cruises Are Changing
Because port times, dates, and even destinations are changed depending on the ship or the date the traveler has booked, cruises are also affected.
Carnival Cruise Line is working on changing all previously purchased Carnival beach trips to the new dates and times. If this is not possible, the affected trips will be canceled and the full refund will be returned to the original payment method.
Guests who make their own travel arrangements will need to contact their tour operator to make changes, cancellations, or other options as needed.
“Thank you for your understanding,” an email from Carnival concludes. “We look forward to welcoming you on a FUN and unforgettable journey.”
Since these changes are being made months in advance of sailing dates, giving guests more time to change their travel plans, there is no compensation. It is not uncommon for cruises to change routes in these ways, as ports are scheduled weeks and months in advance.
