It isn’t always bad weather at a homeport or port of call that can impact a cruise itinerary. Guests boarding Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday, February 1 for a 6-night Bahamas cruise were notified that due to rough seas, their sailing route has to be adjusted. This has caused an itinerary change and a missed port visit.

“With help from our Fleet Operations Center, we have been closely monitoring the winter storm that is affecting the region. The storm is producing strong winds and waves off the east coast, conditions that will impact our voyage plan,” the letter delivered to guests explained.

“As we sail south, we will take a route that will keep us away from the most unfavorable sea conditions, traveling at speeds that will help to keep everyone more comfortable.”

Carnival Sunshine still departed Norfolk at 6 p.m. Sunday as planned. Satellite tracking Monday morning confirms the ship is hugging the eastern seaboard rather than sailing further out to sea.

Along the ship’s normal route, Windy.com reports wind speeds reaching 30-35 miles per hour. By remaining closer to the coast, winds are somewhat slower at 20-25 mph, and expected to slow further as the storm system continues to move offshore.

Bimini Port Visit Cancelled

Carnival Sunshine is sailing at just 14 knots (16 mph) rather than her typical top cruising speed of 21 knots (24 mph). While it is common for cruise ships to slow down during days at sea to provide a more comfortable experience, this much slower speed also means the ship’s itinerary is impacted.

“Because we must make these adjustments, it will be necessary to modify our original itinerary to a two-port voyage,” the cruise line confirmed.

Now, Carnival Sunshine will visit Nassau on Wednesday, February 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. While this is the same day as the original itinerary, the ship will now be arriving two hours earlier than previously scheduled to give guests more time to explore and enjoy Nassau.

The second port visit will be Celebration Key on Thursday, February 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Originally, Carnival Sunshine was scheduled to visit Carnival Cruise Line’s private destination on Grand Bahama on Tuesday, February 3 from 12-7 p.m.

Unfortunately, the visit to Bimini that had been planned for Thursday, February 5 is completely cancelled.

Any shore tours purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for Bimini will be cancelled automatically and refunded to guests’ onboard accounts. Tours for Celebration Key will be moved from Tuesday to Thursday and adjusted time-wise as necessary.

Guests Urged to Be Cautious

Because Carnival Sunshine is still sailing through rough waters, guests are being urged to be careful when moving about the ship. Using handrails on stairs is especially important, as the ship’s movement could easily throw even the most sure-footed cruiser off balance.

Furthermore, the crew is aware that the ship can seem cold and is working to help it feel more like the tropical vacation guests expect.

“We are committed to doing everything possible to provide you with a fun and enjoyable voyage this week and are working to warm things up onboard,” the letter noted. “In the meantime, dress in layers to help you stay comfortable.”

Guests onboard have noted that the heat on the ship seems inconsistent in different areas.

“It’s very cold in the upper levels/common areas. But the ship DOES have heat, it just doesn’t stay in with doors constantly opening. As long as you keep the heat on in your room and ask for some blue blankets, you’ll be comfy,” one guest explained.

Crew members are keeping open areas as closed off as possible to try and keep heat in the indoor public areas, but frequently opening doors does tend to let the heat out and make the ship seem colder.

It can certainly be frustrating for guests who expect a tropical vacation to instead be dealing with colder-than-expected conditions onboard. The average temperature in Nassau for early February is 75 degrees Fahrenheit, yet in Norfolk it is 50 degrees. On Monday morning, February 2, 2026, the temperature in Norfolk was just 27 degrees, well below typical averages.

All cruise lines do their best in different types of inclement weather. The safety of the ship and everyone aboard is the first priority, followed by comfort to create a great cruise experience.

Guests who may not be having the greatest experience should still remain patient with crew members who are doing all they can to ensure a fun and memorable vacation, even if there may not be quite as much “sunshine” onboard Carnival Sunshine as everyone would have hoped.

Carnival Ship Shifts Itinerary to Keep Guests Clear of Dangerous Winter Storm