Key Aspects:
- Carnival Horizon has developed a propulsion problem and will be delayed returning to Miami on Sunday, November 16.
- This will impact embarkation for the next cruise and Carnival Cruise Line will provide an additional update Saturday evening.
- This is at least the third time Carnival Horizon has developed propulsion problems since the ship entered service in 2018.
Guests onboard Carnival Horizon are getting a bit longer of a cruise than expected, and not necessarily in a good way. The ship has developed mechanical issues and is sailing slower than anticipated, which will mean a delay in her return to Miami.
UPDATE: Carnival Horizon Delay Forces Unusual Boarding in Miami
The Vista-class ship is currently on an 8-night Southern Caribbean “ABC” itinerary that departed Miami on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on the next departure, scheduled to leave on Sunday for a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios. That cruise will be impacted by the ship’s delay.
“Regrettably, Carnival Horizon has developed a mechanical issue that is affecting the ship’s cruising speed,” the email explained. “Consequently, the return to Miami will be later than scheduled for Sunday, November 16.”
Both shipboard and shoreside engineers are planning repairs to get Carnival Horizon back up to speed, which seems to indicate that the problem has already been identified and can be repaired. Exactly what repairs may be necessary have not been disclosed.
“Although the ship is sailing a bit slower, all features and venues are fully operating,” the email confirmed.
This means the ship’s safety and navigational systems are not compromised in any way, and all onboard dining, hotel, and entertainment is moving along as planned.
Guests are urged to sign up for text alerts to stay updated as further information becomes available and any embarkation revisions are confirmed.
How Slow Is Carnival Horizon Moving?
Satellite tracking data shows Carnival Horizon moving at just 16 knots (18 miles per hour) on Saturday afternoon as she heads back toward Miami.
At that speed, it would take Carnival Horizon at least 28 hours to cover the 500 miles she has to reach Miami, not counting extra time for slower harbor speeds or docking. The ship is currently sailing along the northern coast of Cuba, 40 miles east-northeast of Antilla.
On a day at sea, cruise ships do typically reduce speed to offer a more comfortable sailing experience. For example, on Saturday afternoon, the following Carnival ships are also enjoying days at sea but still sailing at higher speeds than Carnival Horizon:
- Carnival Paradise – 18 knots
- Carnival Liberty – 20 knots
- Carnival Celebration – 17 knots
- Carnival Pride – 17 knots
- Carnival Panorama – 20 knots
While Carnival Horizon is not moving significantly slower than some other at-sea ships in the fleet, if the vessel cannot increase speed overnight, her return to Miami will be very much impacted.
At the moment, her estimated time of arrival to Miami is 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. This is a satellite tracking estimate only and not an official confirmation of her planned arrival.
Read Also: What Is Wrong With Carnival’s Vista Class Ships?
Typically ships return to Miami from 5-6 a.m., which means Carnival Horizon may be delayed by several hours at least.
Carnival Cruise Line has promised a further update on Saturday evening to advise incoming guests about embarkation plans.
A History of Propulsion Problems
This is not the first time (or second) that Carnival Horizon has had propulsion difficulties, a known issue of the Vista class.
In August 2018, just four months after debuting, the ship had a similar issue that resulted in an itinerary adjustment and cancelled port of call.
In 2021, another propulsion difficulty resulted in the cancellation of two Carnival Horizon cruises.
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Other Vista-class ships have likewise had propulsion difficulties, but mechanical problems are not confined to just one class of ships or one cruise line.
Hopefully, Carnival Horizon‘s current issue will be a minor one with quick repairs that can get the ship sailing smoothly forward for her next cruise.
Carnival Ship Faces Mechanical Trouble, Return to Miami Delayed
