Carnival Cruise Line latest XL-class cruise ship Mardi Gras delivery will be delayed, the cruise company announced today. The news was announced after officials at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland informed Carnival that there is a delay in the production schedule.  Instead of the originally planned schedule in August, the vessel will be delivered in late October 2020. This will result in cancelations of the first 8 voyages including the transatlantic cruise, New York-based itineraries and four voyages starting from Port Canaveral. According to Carnival press release the first revenue sailing will depart from Port Canaveral on Nov. 14, 2020. 

Carnival said that the guest notification process began promptly after the notice by Meyer Turku so that impacted guests could begin to make alternative vacation plans. As a gesture of goodwill, Carnival is offering these guests a 25 percent future cruise credit (FCC), in addition to the full refund of their cruise fare (and applicable fees and taxes and other pre-purchased cruise components), as well as assistance with non-refundable airline and hotel reservations already booked. In addition, if guests rebook their cruise vacation using their 25 percent FCC by Feb. 18, 2020, they will be credited with an additional $100 per person onboard credit for that cruise. Carnival has also communicated guidelines to travel advisors regarding commission protection.

"We have been working closely with Meyer Turku executives to keep the Mardi Gras delivery on schedule, and while we deeply regret disappointing our guests, this change in the delivery date is required to make sure all of the ship's systems, features and technology will be fully operational, so that we can give our guests the vacation they expect. Our commitment is to deliver a great and innovative ship, and Mardi Gras will definitely be that when it arrives in North America," said Ben Clement, Carnival Cruise Line's senior vice president of newbuild.

Meyer Turku has also announced the delay saying “Due to a change in production schedules, Meyer Turku will postpone the delivery of the Carnival Mardi Gras from August 2020 to October 2020.”