Hurricane Debby Impacts Carnival Cruise Line Ships Schedules

Due to the impact of Hurricane Debby, at least two Carnival Cruise Line ships have had to adjust their itineraries.

Amy Sweezey, the company's weather contributor, reported that both the Carnival Paradise and the Carnival Elation had their return schedules to Florida disrupted by the storm. “There have been some impacts in Tampa, Jacksonville, and we’re keeping an eye on Charleston as well,” she stated in a video update.

Sweezey explained that the storm made landfall in Florida on Monday as a hurricane and is now progressing towards Georgia and South Carolina.

With Port Tampa Bay closed to ship traffic, the Carnival Paradise was notably affected. “It had to wait and not come back to port when it was supposed to, so that’s going to be a day late. That means that the next sailing for Paradise will be delayed as well,” Sweezey elaborated.

As the situation remains fluid, passengers scheduled to board the ship are advised to wait for email and text confirmations from Carnival, she added.

Originally scheduled to dock in Tampa on August 5, the Carnival Paradise is now expected to arrive on August 6, once the port reopens. The Carnival Elation was also impacted, having returned to its homeport in Jacksonville a day earlier than planned, arriving on August 4.

“It had to leave one day early as well. Thankfully it was able to avoid the worst of the weather, which is in Jacksonville right now,” Sweezey said, expressing gratitude to guests for their flexibility and cooperation.

The Carnival Sunshine, currently on a five-night cruise to the Bahamas from Charleston, may also be affected by Debby, she noted. “The Fleet Operations Center in Miami is monitoring the storm closely as it moves closer to South Carolina,” Sweezey stated.

As the storm is expected to slow down upon approach, it will likely bring prolonged rainfall to the region.

“If you are planning an upcoming sailing on the Sunshine in the next few days, make sure you get our text alerts, watch your emails, and listen to any announcements with changes,” Sweezey advised, emphasizing that Carnival’s top priority is the safety of its guests.