After experiencing propulsion issues for several months, Carnival Cruise Line canceled four upcoming cruises on Carnival Panorama, including a Thanksgiving sailing.
Carnival Panorama had to cancel two of its three cruise ports during its current sailing due to a technical issue.
To fix the problem, the cruise line has decided to cancel the next four seven-night sailings when the ship returns to Long Beach over the weekend.
A spokesman from Carnival told Cruise Radio, “Carnival Panorama is experiencing an issue affecting its maximum cruising speed on its current itinerary.”
It went on to say, “The ship will be taken out of service at the conclusion of the current voyage on Saturday, Nov. 11 and go immediately to dry dock for the repair. We expect the ship to return to service for the Dec. 9 departure.”
Carnival Panorama Cancellation Dates
- November 11
- November 18
- November 26
- December 2
A letter to booked guests says, “We will automatically process a full refund of your cruise fare, including pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions and any FunShop purchases to your original form of payment. Please be advised that it could take up to three weeks to process through your bank.”
Compensation by Carnival Cruise Line
The letter went on to read, “In addition to the full refund and travel expense reimbursement, we are extending a 50% future cruise credit (FCC) for all guests so that we can welcome you back on another cruise.* The exception to this offer will be for the November 11 and November 18 voyages.
Those guests will be provided a 100% FCC to reflect the last-minute notification for this next upcoming cruise, as well as the disruption to Thanksgiving plans.”
Plagued with propulsion issues
According to AIS data, the ship can only sail at half speed, or around 9.6 knots per hour. Typically calling in Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerta Vallarta, its Mexican Riviera voyages exceed 1000 miles each way.
The Vista class of Carnival ships has a problematic history with propulsion issues, dating back to the launch of Carnival Vista in 2016. In the summer of 2019, Vista had to be taken out of service from Galveston, Texas, for emergency dry dock repairs in The Bahamas.
Two years later, Carnival Horizon debuted and started experiencing the same issues, eventually being taken out of service for a month in 2021. That ship had to be repaired in Europe.
This past June, Carnival Panorama had four sailings in a row that had its maximum cruising speed impacted, causing ports to be cancelled and itineraries modified. Panorama was launched in December 2019 and was only in service a few months before the cruise industry shut down.
Panorama is scheduled for dry dock next fall.
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