Carnival Cruise Line Announced Changes to Nearly 200 Sailings. Here Are The Details.

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line Announced Changes to Nearly 200 Sailings. Here Are the Details

November 17, 2024

Carnival Cruise Line has announced changes to nearly 200 sailings. These changes will take effect in the coming weeks and will extend through April 2027. Let’s take a look at the details.

Carnival Cruise Line: Upcoming Changes to 200 Sailings

Recently, Carnival Cruise Line notified passengers on almost 200 sailings of departure time changes. These have an impact on sailings on Carnival Pride and Carnival Spirit, two particular ships in the company’s fleet, according to TheStreet.

Currently, Carnival Pride offers a range of year-round itineraries and sails from Baltimore, Maryland. However, depending on the season, Pride’s sister ship, Carnival Spirit, departs from Seattle, Washington, or Mobile, Alabama.

Carnival declared that numerous sailings would now leave 30 minutes sooner than scheduled in both instances.

Every seven-night cruise aboard Carnival Pride from December 2024 to April 2027 is among the more than 100 sailings that are impacted on that cruise ship. The ship will now depart Baltimore at 4:30 p.m. instead of the original 5 p.m. departure time.

Additionally, about 100 Carnival Spirit cruises between December 2024 and March 2027 will be affected. They will now set sail at 3:30 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. Not all itineraries are released that far in advance, so it’s unclear exactly which sailings will be affected, but some aren’t on the list, such as the ship’s transatlantic voyage in March 2025.

Carnival Cruise Line has sent out email notifications to passengers booked on sailings with altered departure times, but not all sailings on these two ships are affected. There are several potential reasons for Carnival’s decision to move these sailings to somewhat earlier departure timings, including recent advances in boarding procedure efficiency.

In terms of onboard activities, there might be some changes. Onboard shops, which frequently don’t operate while the ship is in port, and venues like the ship’s casino could also benefit from altered operating hours.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Latest Round of Changes

This is just the latest round of changes that Carnival Cruise Line has announced in recent months. Last month, the popular cruise line unveiled its lineup for 2026 and 2027, and things are about to get a lot more fun in the Land Down Under.

According to a company press release, the spring addition of Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter to the fleet will give Australian tourists more options than ever before, as four Carnival Cruise Line ships already provide thrilling and unforgettable cruise vacations.

Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor sail from Sydney, while Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa sail from Brisbane (seasonally) as part of the extended route. Along with New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea, the route includes well-known locations including Moreton Island, the South Pacific, and the Great Barrier Reef.

“As we expand our fleet to four ships in Australia and enrich our overall deployment plan, our 2026/27 itineraries significantly increase the options available for the Carnival experience from Sydney and Brisbane,” said Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning, in a statement accompanying the press release. “Guests interested in a cruise from Australia are bound to find the perfect itinerary, whether they’re looking to explore a new region or revisit key vacation destinations — all showcasing the diverse beauty of the South Pacific.”

Back in March of this year, Carnival Cruise Line also announced that it was launching a Celebration Key cruise in July 2025.

Paradise Plaza is a short jaunt from the ship, with a vibrant promenade and a striking sun-shaped bridge that makes for a great photo opportunity. The atmosphere is filled with live music, creating a memorable experience. The pinnacle? A breathtaking 10-story sun castle that creates anticipation for the paradise beyond. Activities for visitors include going on shore excursions, participating in water sports, or simply relaxing in cabanas. Visitors looking for refreshments will find a fountain and a Bahamian-themed ice cream shop.