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Winter Storm Fern has continued to disrupt travel across the U.S. East Coast, and now it’s directly affecting cruise operations in Baltimore.
As a result, Carnival Cruise Line has issued a detailed embarkation update for guests scheduled to sail aboard Carnival Pride.
The storm forced the ship to remain at sea longer than planned, delaying its return to Maryland and triggering changes to the upcoming Bahamas sailing.
Why Carnival Pride Is Arriving Late
To avoid the worst conditions caused by Winter Storm Fern, Carnival Pride stayed offshore an extra day rather than attempting to dock during unsafe weather.
Here’s what changed:
- The ship was originally scheduled to arrive in Baltimore on January 25, 2026.
- Arrival has now been moved to Monday, January 26, around noon.
- Current guests from the previous sailing will disembark first before new embarkation begins.
Carnival confirmed the delay is strictly weather-related and emphasized passenger safety as the priority.
New Embarkation Timeline Guests Need to Know
Because of the late arrival and heavy snowfall at the port, embarkation will not begin until late afternoon on January 26.
Guests have been instructed to:
- Shift their original terminal arrival times four hours later.
- Follow their updated arrival appointment carefully.
- Complete check-in no later than 7:00 p.m. local time.
Early arrivals will not be accommodated, as port staff must first clear snow and manage the disembarkation of current passengers.
Snow-Covered Port Slows Operations
Baltimore was hit hard by the storm, with many areas receiving 6 to 10 inches of snow.
Carnival explained that both the terminal parking area and vehicles are buried, requiring significant cleanup before normal operations can resume.
This cleanup effort is one of the main reasons embarkation cannot begin earlier in the day.
Guests are still advised to:
- Plan extra travel time
- Expect traffic delays
- Prioritize safety when heading to the port
One Port Canceled, Rest of the Itinerary Intact
Because the cruise is departing a day late, one scheduled stop has been removed.
What’s changed:
- Bimini (January 28) – canceled
What remains the same:
- Princess Cays – January 29
- Celebration Key – January 30
Carnival has confirmed there are no additional itinerary changes planned at this time.
Carnival Is Offering Compensation
Although weather-related disruptions are typically excluded from required compensation, Carnival is offering refunds as a goodwill gesture.
Affected guests will receive:
- A one-day pro-rated refund of cruise fare (returned to original payment method)
- Pro-rated refunds for:
- Beverage packages
- Wi-Fi plans
- Prepaid gratuities
Refunds for packages and gratuities will appear as onboard credit, while fare refunds are expected within approximately three weeks.
What Guests Should Do Now
While plans are currently set, Carnival has noted that additional operational changes are still possible if weather conditions shift again.
Guests are encouraged to:
- Monitor emails and official updates.
- Sign up for text alerts.
- Avoid traveling to the port earlier than instructed.
For now, Carnival Pride’s revised embarkation plan is in place — and the cruise line says it will communicate immediately if anything changes.
