Carnival Cruise Line has started notifying guests booked on two Carnival Miracle voyages that their trips have been cancelled due to changes in dry dock plans. The affected trips depart from Galveston and were scheduled for April 2025, giving passengers ample time to rearrange their travel plans.
The two cancelled Carnival Miracle cruises are the departures scheduled for April 6 and April 15, 2025, at the end of the ship’s deployment to Galveston, Texas. The cruise line has started communicating with affected passengers regarding their refund or rebooking options.
In a statement, Carnival Cruise Line said: “In our ongoing effort to improve our offerings, the Carnival Miracle is now scheduled for dry dock, and we regret to inform you that your cruise has been cancelled.”
Although specific dry dock details have not been revealed, it’s expected to involve standard updates and maintenance for technical and engineering systems, public spaces, and various onboard venues. The process will also include refurbishing guest rooms and conducting maintenance that cannot be performed while passengers are onboard.
The Carnival Miracle’s previous dry dock took place in late 2022 and involved routine maintenance, hull cleaning, and a new paint job featuring the cruise line’s signature red, white, and blue colors.
While stationed in Galveston before this new dry dock, the 88,500-gross ton Carnival Miracle will offer extended itineraries from Texas, ranging from 9-12 nights and visiting exciting destinations like Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Belize, Costa Rica, Aruba, and Curacao.
No explanation has been provided for the change in dry dock dates, but it’s not unusual for schedules to shift this far in advance of a dry dock, depending on the facility used, other cruise lines’ maintenance schedules, and berth availability.
Passengers booked on the two cancelled voyages have two compensation options. They can receive a full refund after September 11, 2023, or they can rebook on a different cruise. If they choose to rebook, Carnival Cruise Line is offering some incentives, including protected cruise rates for comparable sailings with similar accommodations, a potential bargain for those who rebook earlier or choose a different ship.
In addition, passengers who rebook will receive a $50 (USD) onboard credit per person, up to $100 per cabin, to use on their new cruise. This offer is only valid until September 11, 2023.
Guests wishing to take advantage of the deal must contact Carnival Cruise Line or their travel agent before that date to arrange their alternative cruise.
No further compensation is offered, nor is the cruise line offering help with adjustments for pre- or post-cruise travel plans. If such plans, including hotels, port transfers, or airfare, were booked through Carnival Cruise Line, guests will be refunded for those costs along with the cruise fare refund.
As the cancelled voyages are still 20 months away, it’s unlikely that booked guests have made additional arrangements so far in advance. Most hotels and airlines do not offer reservations this early, or if they do, cancellations policies would likely apply without fees or penalties.
