Carnival Pride Sets Sail From Norfolk After Baltimore Port Closure

Carnival Cruise Line has announced a significant itinerary change for its Carnival Pride cruise ship, directly impacting cruise passengers. Following the unforeseen closure of the Port of Baltimore due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, Carnival Pride will now commence its voyages from Norfolk, Virginia. This change affects the vessel's April 21, 2024 departure among potential future sailings. The collapse, caused by a container ship collision after a power failure, led to an immediate suspension of operations at Baltimore's marine terminal, urging Carnival to realign its departure and embarkation plans swiftly.

To mitigate the inconvenience caused by this sudden port change, Carnival Cruise Line is extending a helping hand to its passengers. The line is offering complimentary bus service to transport guests between Norfolk and Baltimore, ensuring that passengers can still access the ship with minimal disruption to their plans. This service is vital for those impacted by the new port of departure, approximately 250 miles away from Baltimore, translating into an additional travel time of 4-5 hours. In an acknowledgment of the inconvenience, Carnival is also granting a $100 onboard credit per stateroom as a gesture of goodwill.

The April 21 sailing aboard Carnival Pride promises a 7-night adventure through the Eastern Caribbean, with stops at idyllic destinations such as Grand Turk, Princess Cays, and Freeport. The repositioning to Norfolk does not diminish the excitement of the journey ahead, with the ship continuing to alternate between Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, along with offering special voyages to Greenland and Bermuda sailings planned later in the year. Carnival Pride, boasting a double occupancy capacity of 2,680 guests and a dedicated crew of around 900 international team members, remains committed to delivering memorable vacations amid these challenging circumstances.

As the cleanup and recovery efforts from the bridge collapse progress, the timeline for resuming cruise operations out of Baltimore remains uncertain. The incident has prompted immediate operational shifts not only for Carnival but also for other cruise lines with scheduled departures from Baltimore. Passengers planning to embark on or return from cruises in Baltimore in the coming weeks are advised to stay in close communication with their cruise line to receive the latest updates on their sailings. Despite the disruptions, the collective aim is to preserve itinerary integrity as much as possible while prioritizing passenger convenience and safety.

Looking forward, Carnival Cruise Line, along with city and port officials, is closely monitoring the situation and planning for a gradual return to Baltimore, contingent on the completion of the bridge repair and clearance efforts. The resilient spirit of the cruising community and the proactive measures taken by Carnival showcase the industry's dedication to ensuring that the cruising experience remains as seamless and enjoyable as possible, despite unexpected hurdles.