Key Aspects:
- Carnival Pride is delayed returning to Baltimore on Sunday, February 8, but should arrive by mid-afternoon.
- All arrival times for check-in at the cruise terminal are now pushed back by five hours.
- Evening operations are being adjusted accordingly, but there are no confirmed itinerary changes at this time.
Guests excited to board Carnival Pride in Baltimore for their 7-night Bahamas sailing on Sunday, February 8, 2026 will be getting a slower start than originally planned. The ship has been delayed due to rough winter weather, and embarkation has subsequently been pushed back.
Carnival Cruise Line previously alerted guests that such a delay was possible, helping prepare travelers for contingencies. Now, the final embarkation plan has been confirmed, and the ship is delayed for five hours.
“Due to unfavorable weather, Carnival Pride will be arriving mid-afternoon tomorrow and your embarkation is being revised,” guests were notified on Saturday.
A revised schedule of terminal arrival appointments was sent to guests with every arrival time pushed back by five hours.
This means guests who had originally selected to arrive at the Port of Baltimore at noon should now plan to arrive at 5 p.m. Likewise, the latest arrival appointment of 2:30-3 p.m. will now be from 7:30-8 p.m.
If guests have booked airport transfers from Carnival Cruise Line, those transportation plans will be adjusted accordingly. All guests must be checked in no later than 8 p.m. and the ship will depart as soon as possible thereafter.
At this time, there is no confirmation for any changes to the weeklong sailing. Carnival Pride is scheduled visit Half Moon Cay on Wednesday, February 11, followed by Nassau and Celebration Key on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Because the delay is relatively minimal, it is possible that Carnival Pride will be able to maintain her original itinerary by speeding up somewhat as she heads south from Maryland. Guests will be updated onboard if there do need to be any changes.
The 88,500-gross ton Spirit Class ship can welcome 2,124 guests aboard, and is also home to more than 900 international crew members who will do all they can to make sure everyone has a great vacation, despite the frustrating beginning.
Early Arrivals to Be Turned Away
To keep the delayed embarkation as smooth as possible, Carnival Cruise Line is firmly reminding guests that arriving early to the cruise terminal will cause more problems, not get anyone onboard Carnival Pride sooner.
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Debarking guests need time to make their way off the ship, collect their luggage, process through customs, and leave the cruise terminal and parking areas before incoming guests can be welcomed.
“Guests who show up earlier cannot be accommodated,” the email confirmed.
This is standard procedure when a cruise ship is delayed and it is important for incoming guests to heed their updated terminal arrival appointment times to avoid creating congestion and unnecessary disruptions.
Adjustments Onboard for Late Arrival
Because Carnival Pride is arriving later than originally scheduled and guests will now be embarking during the typical dinner periods, there are some operational adjustments for that first evening onboard.
Both of the ship’s main dining rooms will operate with open seating for dinner rather than assigned times and tables, and guests will be accommodated as quickly as possible. The Lido Marketplace buffet will also operate with open seating as normal.
Announcements will be made onboard when guests’ staterooms are ready. When a ship is delayed, the onboard guests are permitted to remain in their staterooms later than typical, but they are urged to vacate their rooms as the ship approaches the port so the housekeeping teams can get to work with the turnover procedures.
