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Carnival Cruise Line has recently announced the cancellation of two weeks of sailings for the Carnival Pride due to a rescheduled dry dock. Guests booked on the affected sailings, from March 29 through April 12, 2026, have been notified of the change. Originally, the ship was slated to offer 7-night cruises from Baltimore, Maryland, during this period. Instead, it will undergo essential updates and renovations.
Why the Change?
Carnival Cruise Line is committed to enhancing its fleet, ensuring guests have the best possible experience. As part of this ongoing effort, the Carnival Pride requires updates and maintenance that necessitate its time in dry dock. The notification email sent to impacted guests explained, “In our continuous effort to enhance our product, Carnival Pride has now been scheduled for dry dock and we’re sorry to inform you that your cruise has been cancelled.”
Rebooking Options and Incentives
The good news is that the cancellations are over 22 months away, giving travelers ample time to adjust their plans. Carnival Cruise Line is offering several options for affected guests:
- Rebooking on Another Sailing: Guests can rebook on a different sailing, either on the Carnival Pride or another ship. The cruise line will protect the fare rate of the now-cancelled cruise on comparable voyages booked in similar accommodations.
- Onboard Credit: Guests who rebook will receive a $50 (USD) onboard credit per person, up to $100 per stateroom, as a thank you for continuing their plans with Carnival Cruise Line.
Refund Options
For those unable or unwilling to rebook, Carnival offers a full refund for the cancelled cruises. This includes any Early Saver reservations, with no fees or penalties. Additionally, all prepaid purchases, such as gratuities, drink packages, or internet packages, will also be fully refunded to the original form of payment. Refunds will be processed after May 28, 2024, but may take up to three weeks to appear depending on individual financial institutions.
What to Expect from the Upcoming Dry Dock
The Carnival Pride underwent a significant renovation in May 2023, which lasted a month and included several major updates. These renovations took place in Cadiz, Spain, and featured the addition of the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, Carnival Adventures Shop, and Dreams Photo Studio. Public areas were also renovated, the arcade was relocated, and David’s Steakhouse was rebranded to Fahrenheit 555. The ship’s hull was repainted in the new red, white, and blue livery colors, first introduced on the Mardi Gras.
The 2026 dry dock, scheduled for a shorter duration, is not expected to be as extensive. Typically, these shorter dry docks focus on general maintenance and upgrades, such as new decking and flooring, lighting and upholstery updates, and technical improvements to ensure optimal operation.
Carnival Pride’s Future Itineraries
As of now, Carnival Pride is homeported in Baltimore, offering 7-night Bahamas sailings. One highlight of these tropical cruises is the visit to the upcoming Celebration Key, a new private destination currently being developed on Grand Bahama Island.
Following the dry dock, the ship is expected to continue these itineraries. The cruise line has yet to announce where the dry dock renovations will take place, and there are no plans for one-way sailings to or from the dry dock location.
Looking further ahead, Carnival Cruise Line has not released itineraries for the Carnival Pride beyond spring 2026. Cruise lines typically do not disclose new itineraries this far in advance, but announcements should be forthcoming in the next few months as new seasons are revealed for the entire Carnival fleet.
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Thoughts
While the cancellation of two weeks of sailings for the Carnival Pride may be disappointing for some travelers, the ship’s upcoming dry dock promises to bring exciting updates and enhancements. Carnival Cruise Line is dedicated to providing top-notch experiences, and these renovations are part of that commitment. Guests have flexible options to rebook or receive full refunds, making the transition as smooth as possible. Stay tuned for more updates and future itinerary announcements.
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