Key Aspects:
- After having already been rescheduled, Carnival Conquest’s dry dock in January 2026 is being pushed back by one month.
- Four sailings to the Bahamas that would have embarked during the new dry dock window have now been cancelled.
- Impacted guests are being compensated with a comparable cruise at the same price or a full refund.
If you’re feeling a sense of Deja vu, it’s because we were in the same situation not long ago with the very same cruise ship.
Earlier this summer, Carnival announced that Carnival Conquest’s dry dock had to be rescheduled to January 2026, which led to cruise cancellations.
But once again, the upcoming dry dock stint for the Conquest-class flagship has had to be rescheduled.
Per a letter sent by the cruise line on August 18, 2025, the 2002-launched vessel will now return to dry dock one month later in February of 2026.
The cruise line did not provide a reason for changing plans again, but it could be as simple as logistical challenges within the shipyard.
Unfortunately, this means that cruises booked within this period, which lasts from February 6 through and including February 16, 2026, have all been cancelled.
“We have had to reschedule Carnival Conquest’s dry dock from January 2026 to February 2026, and we are sorry to inform you that the above cruises, including yours, have been cancelled,” Carnival wrote to booked guests.
“We sincerely apologize for this change and thank you for your understanding. We look forward to having you sail with us.”
During this window, there would have been two 3-night Bahamas cruises embarking from Miami on February 6 and February 13, 2025, which are now cancelled.
These sailings would have alternated with two 4-night cruises to the Bahamas that were due to set sail on February 9 and February 16, which have also been scrapped.
But on the bright side, it’s possible that new sailings will be added back in for January 2026 when the 2,980-guest ship was supposed to be temporarily out of service.
Carnival Conquest last underwent a dry dock in September 2022, which took place at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. The vessel received its new red, white, and blue livery, along with various enhancements.
Compensation Provided to Impacted Guests
While no one is happy to hear that their sailing has been cancelled, it at least softens the blow when the cruise lines do their best to make things right.
“We have a variety of alternatives and are confident you will find another Carnival cruise that is filled with an equal amount of fun,” the cruise line said.
“Our team is ready to discuss options and rebook you on another voyage right away.”
The first option that guests have is to rebook themselves on a comparable sailing in a similar cruise cabin.
Their original cruise fare will be protected, which means no additional expenditures will be required unless guests want to upgrade their sailing in some way.
Guests who choose this option will also be given up to $100 in onboard credits ($50 for up to two people in a stateroom) for the inconvenience.
Passengers who want to take advantage of this time sensitive option must contact Carnival’s guest services team, their Carnival Personal Vacation Planner, or their travel agent by September 1, 2025.
Read Also: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Carnival Cruise
If guests would rather not or can’t reschedule, they can also simply do nothing and wait for a full refund of their cruise fare and any pre-purchased packages to refund to their original payment method after September 1, 2025.
Regardless of which option guests choose, cruisers who already booked their own flights also have the ability to submit non-refundable airfare or change fees incurred because of the cancellation.
Carnival will reimburse up to $200 per person upon verifying supporting documentation, such as airline receipts.
