Key Aspects:
- Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that Carnival Sunshine will only be delayed by a single day due to the nor’easter impacting Norfolk.
- The ship will now set sail on a 5-night cruise to Bermuda instead of the original 6-night itinerary, but the port visit is preserved as scheduled.
- Guests are receiving a one-day prorated refund of their cruise fare and per-day packages, as well as a $100 per stateroom onboard credit.
Following a tense night of uncertainty about the itinerary for Carnival Sunshine, guests awaiting their now-delayed cruise have received the welcome news that they will still be visiting Bermuda as planned.
The former Carnival Destiny and one of the oldest ships in the Carnival fleet has been delayed returning to Norfolk, Virginia, due to the nor’easter impacting the US East Coast.
Heavy winds and swells have closed the homeport, forcing the ship to remain at sea one extra day and shortening the October 12, 2025 cruise.
On Sunday afternoon, just as the ship would have been preparing for departure, Windy.com shows winds as high as 33-34 knots (38-40 miles per hour) at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, with even higher gusts.
Despite the rough weather on what was to have been embarkation day, however, Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the sailing will go ahead just one day late.
“We’re pleased to confirm that Carnival Sunshine will dock in Norfolk tomorrow morning, Monday, October 13,” the email notification reads.
Guests are advised to arrive at the cruise terminal at the same times they initially chose when checking in for the sailing, albeit on Monday instead of Sunday.
While of course, it is disappointing that the 6-night sailing will now be a 5-night voyage instead, the notification did have more good news.
“Aside from the adjusted departure date, the remainder of the itinerary, including the scheduled visit to Bermuda, remains unchanged,” the email said.
Carnival Sunshine is due to visit Bermuda for the last time this year with an overnight call from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15 through 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 16.
To make up for the shortened sailing, all guests will be receiving a one day, prorated refund of their cruise fare as well as a one-day refund of any pre-purchased packages, such as the Cheers! drink package or Wi-Fi options.
Guests are also going to receive a $100 (USD) onboard credit per stateroom.
How Can the Ship Still Get to Bermuda?
Before it was confirmed that Carnival Sunshine would, in fact, be able to depart on the shortened sailing on Monday, there was uncertainty about whether or not the visit to Bermuda would still be possible.
Bermuda is roughly 735 miles from Norfolk. When compared to Carnival Sunshine‘s top speed of 21 knots (24 miles per hour), the ship would need a minimum of 31 hours to sail between the ports, along with extra time for docking maneuvers and slower speeds required in the harbors.
Fortunately, the ship has 41 hours from her estimated time of departure from Norfolk until she is scheduled to arrive in Bermuda. This gives the vessel plenty of time to make the journey with no adjustment to the time spent in port.
Read Also: How Fast is a Knot and What Does It Mean?
Cruise ships routinely reduce sailing speed on days at sea. This will reduce relative wind speeds on the outer decks and permit a more enjoyable experience for lounging by the pool, enjoying whirlpools, or joining in deck parties or games.
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These lower planned speeds also provide a buffer for unexpected diversions, such as rough weather, medical evacuations, or refugee rescues. When such things happen, the ship has a plentiful margin to make up the loss of time without sacrificing time in port.
While Carnival Sunshine may now need to sail faster than anticipated on her way to Bermuda, at least she will still be able to make the trip safely and guests onboard will be able to enjoy their full visit to the British territory.
