Carnival Cruise Line has canceled its next sailing on Carnival Paradise out of Tampa, Florida, due to delays in the ship’s return and a closed port.
This ship’s departure, originally set for September 26, was repeatedly delayed due to Hurricane Helene.
The cruise was initially planned as a four-night voyage to the Western Caribbean, stopping in Cozumel, Mexico.
The cancellation comes after Carnival Paradise faced multiple delays, arriving in Tampa two days later than scheduled. The ship is expected to return on Saturday, September 28, in the afternoon.
Carnival had hoped to salvage part of the trip as a shortened three-day cruise but ultimately decided against it. The ship’s delayed return would have left only enough time for a one-and-a-half-day cruise, which the company determined was insufficient to provide the full experience.
Statement to Carnival Paradise Passengers
“Thanks for your patience while you waited for updates about your cruise. Port officials have informed us that we will not be able to return to Tampa until tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, 9/28. This would not allow us enough time to deliver the experience we had planned for you.
So, disappointingly, we must cancel the sailing. A full refund will be issued. Please check your email for full details. We are sorry mother nature interrupted your vacation plans. We hope to see you on another Carnival cruise soon.“
Passengers will receive a full refund, and Carnival has apologized for the inconvenience, citing weather-related issues as the cause of the delay.
Port of Tampa Status
As of Friday afternoon, Port Tampa Bay did not have an estimate on when it would reopen, only providing a statement on its website: “Port Tampa Bay is working with the U. S. Coast Guard, U.S Army Corps of Engineers and port partners to begin surveying our shipping channels. Once the survey is complete, we will have a better idea of when the waterside operations of our port can resume.”
Meanwhile, around the state, the Carnival Elation returned to Jacksonville on Friday afternoon, and the Carnival Glory returned to Port Canaveral. Both ships have a scheduled departure on Friday.
Royal Caribbean also had to delay returns to Tampa following Hurricane Helene.
