On a ship named Carnival Sunshine and an itinerary aimed for the Bahamas and the Caribbean, guests would probably expect warm temperatures and beautiful weather for their cruise vacation.

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on the ship’s February 7, 2026 departure, that this will not necessarily be the case, at least during embarkation in Norfolk, Virginia.

“Due to the significantly low outdoor temperatures in the area, in combination with the many open decks, it is going to take extra measures to warm the interior parts of the vessel while it is docked in Norfolk,” the guest advisory email said.

“We encourage you to dress in layers for embarkation, which will come in handy as our team implements additional measures to warm the ship.”

To be clear, there is no change in embarkation timing or procedures for Saturday, February 7, but the weather may not be as “sunshiny” as guests might have hoped.

Guests are also advised to stick to their terminal arrival appointment for check-in, and all guests must be onboard by the final boarding time. There are no anticipated delays to the ship’s 4:30 p.m. departure from the Old Dominion State.

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No details have been disclosed about what the “additional measures” may be to warm the ship, but it could involve closing some areas of the open deck to help contain heat to indoor public areas, as well as the use of space heaters or other temporary measures to make public areas more comfortable.

Guests may also be asked to keep their balcony doors closed until the ship is able to turn her bow toward the south.

Carnival Cruise Line will continue monitoring the weather and will update guests in case there are any confirmed changes to the ship’s arrival, debarkation plans, or itinerary.

This is the second consecutive cruise where winter weather has impacted Carnival Sunshine. On her February 1 departure, guests were advised at embarkation that a different route would be necessary to avoid the roughest weather caused by the winter storm, which meant the port call to Bimini had to be cancelled.

Onboard the ship, guests have also noted inconsistent heating and chilly areas, particularly near the open decks where constantly opening and closing doors makes it difficult to keep indoor spaces warm.

What Will the Weather Be?

So, how cold will it really be in Norfolk to embark on Carnival Sunshine? The National Weather Service is forecasting a partly sunny day for Saturday, with temperatures near 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Winds may reach as high as 29 miles per hour in the afternoon, with gusts that could be 45-48 miles per hour. That wind chill can make the temperature feel much colder.

In fact, parts of the Chesapeake Bay where Carnival Sunshine will sail to reach the Port of Norfolk are under a gale watch from late Friday evening until Sunday morning. In contrast, typical early February temperatures in Norfolk are usually closer to the mid-40s.

This significant cold front is the latest of several winter storms that have pummeled the eastern US in recent weeks, including a cold blast that dropped to record freezing temperatures in Florida, the so-called Sunshine State.

Will the Cruise Be Warmer?

Guests boarding Carnival Sunshine will be happy that the weather for their 8-night sailing does look better further south.

The ship is scheduled to visit Half Moon Cay on Tuesday, February 10, and the temperatures should be in the low to mid-70s with very little chance of rain.

On Grand Turk, the next day, guests should enjoy temperatures near 77 degrees, and in Amber Cove on Thursday, February 12, the high is predicted to be 82 degrees.

When the 103,881-gross-ton cruise ship returns to Norfolk on Sunday, February 15, temperatures at her homeport are likely to be in the mid-40s, much closer to the typical mid-February temperatures in Virginia.

Carnival Alerts Guests to Bundle Up as Freezing Weather Hits