Cruise Itinerary Changes Due to Nor'easter September 2026
A powerful nor'easter storm off the U.S. East Coast has forced multiple cruise lines to alter ship itineraries, with confirmed changes impacting Carnival
A nor'easter storm off the US East Coast has triggered confirmed itinerary changes for at least four cruise ships, with more potentially affected. As of September 25 at 9:55 PM EST, four cruise ships currently have confirmed itinerary changes due to the powerful system causing coastal flooding, high surf with waves of 10 to 15 feet, and gusty winds from North Carolina to New England. Cruise lines typically wait until the last possible moment before announcing such disruptions.
Carnival Sunshine diverted from Norfolk sailing
Carnival Sunshine was forced to divert due to the nor'easter, impacting its September 27 Norfolk departure and preventing a timely return. Carnival Cruise Line sent a notice to guests booked on that sailing out of Norfolk, Virginia. The ship was forced to divert further out to sea to find calmer waters away from the storm's impact. Consequently, Carnival Sunshine will not arrive back home on time for the September 27 cruise. The voyage will instead be pushed back by one day, with a new departure now planned from Norfolk on September 28.
Vision of the Seas delayed in Baltimore
Vision of the Seas remained overnight in Baltimore due to the storm, delaying its Canada and New England sailing and shifting its route to Florida and the Bahamas. The 2,050-guest ship was to have departed on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from Baltimore for a 9-night Canada and New England itinerary. Instead, the ship remained overnight in Baltimore on Thursday and did not depart until 3 p.m. On Friday, September 25. The entire sailing was changed to a southern route visiting Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Grand Bahama Island.
Embarkation for the sailing was delayed, and the cruise terminal did not open until 4:30 p.m. On Thursday. Vision of the Seas' arrival in Baltimore was also delayed to around 2:00 PM on September 24 instead of the normal early morning. Due to government restrictions from US Customs and Border Protection, guests were not permitted to debark the ship to enjoy the city once they had embarked. Prepaid shore excursions for the original ports are being refunded as onboard credit. The ship will return to Maryland on Saturday, October 3.
Norwegian Escape adjusts Canada and New England return
Norwegian Escape departed Halifax early due to rough weather, adjusting its return to New York after a shortened port call. The ship had departed New York on a 7-night Canada and New England itinerary on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Its original itinerary included a visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia from 9 a.m. To 10 p.m. On Thursday, September 24.
Guests were informed by letters on Thursday morning that the visit to Halifax was shortened so the ship could return to New York earlier due to rough weather. Norwegian Escape departed Halifax several hours early, around 6:40 PM local time on September 24 instead of the scheduled 10:00 PM departure. While no formal statement from Norwegian Cruise Line linked this early departure to the nor'easter, the ship should arrive in New York late Friday evening. Guests are still expected to arrive in New York as planned on the morning of September 26, which was originally scheduled for 7 a.m.
Carnival Venezia modifies Bermuda schedule
Carnival Venezia shortened its Bermuda stop and adjusted its return to New York, affecting embarkation for its next sailing. The ship had departed New York on Sunday, September 20 for a 4-night Bermuda sailing. On the first full day of the cruise, guests were informed that the time in Bermuda would be shortened and the return route to New York would be changed.
Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, explained in a Facebook post on Thursday morning, September 24, that the captain slowed the ship to make the voyage more comfortable in the bad weather. This caused a delayed debarkation in New York on the morning of September 24, pushing back embarkation for the ship’s next sailing, a 5-night Bermuda itinerary. That next departure was delayed to around 6:00 PM on September 24.
Carnival Venezia's adjusted Bermuda schedule saw it arrive at 8:30 AM and sail at 3:00 PM, with guests required back by 2:30 PM. The ship's return to New York was delayed until about 10:00 AM on September 24. The September 24 cruise will now arrive in Bermuda at 9 a.m. On Sunday, September 27, rather than 9 a.m. On Saturday as originally planned. Carnival Venezia is scheduled to sail from New York at least until October, offering 4- to 8-night cruises.
