Carnival Horizon cancelled its scheduled Grand Cayman port visit in November 2025 because ongoing propulsion issues continue restricting the ship’s cruising speed to 16-17 knots, well below its normal operating capacity. The icon of the seas like Vista-class ship developed mechanical problems during an eight-night Southern Caribbean cruise that delayed its return to Miami on November 16, forcing the next group of passengers to board late Sunday evening instead of the scheduled morning departure.
What Exactly Happened to Carnival Horizon?
The mechanical issue first emerged late during the November 8 sailing when the ship’s propulsion system failed, causing speeds to drop into single digits at times. Engineering teams worked to restore partial functionality, but the vessel remains unable to reach normal operating speed even after technicians boarded in Miami. Tracking data confirms Carnival Horizon is currently cruising at 16 to 17 knots, several knots slower than the typical speed required to maintain scheduled port arrivals.
Do you know this isn’t the first time Carnival Horizon has experienced propulsion troubles? The Vista-class ships have previously encountered azipod-related challenges, making this a recurring concern for the cruise line.
How Did This Affect Passenger Itineraries
Guests who boarded November 16 lost their entire first day at sea when the ship arrived in Miami during late afternoon or early evening instead of the scheduled morning return. Carnival provided compensation in the form of one-day prorated refunds covering cruise fare, beverage packages, prepaid gratuities, and WiFi packages. The subsequent sailing experienced three major disruptions:
- Complete cancellation of the Grand Cayman port visit
- Delayed arrival into Cozumel on November 18
- Maintained call to Ocho Rios, Jamaica on November 20
Passengers received notification of these adjustments shortly after boarding along with $100 per stateroom in onboard credit as compensation.
Understanding the Technical Challenges
The propulsion fault involves systems that control the ship’s speed and maneuverability. Carnival’s shipboard and shoreside engineering teams continue working to diagnose and repair the issue, but full resolution may require specialized parts or dry dock repairs that cannot be completed while the ship is in service. This limitation explains why Carnival Horizon continues sailing on modified itineraries rather than cancelling voyages entirely.
Impact Comparison on Scheduled Ports
Why Speed Matters for Cruise Itineraries?
Cruise ships must maintain specific speeds to arrive at scheduled ports during designated time windows when pilot services, dock space, and shore excursions are arranged. When Carnival Horizon operates at 16-17 knots instead of its designed speed, the ship cannot cover required distances overnight between ports. This forces cruise planners to either skip ports entirely or accept delayed arrivals that reduce time in port for passengers.
Cancelling Grand Cayman instead of another port likely resulted from strategic planning considering port fees, passenger preferences, and geographic logistics. The decision allowed Carnival Horizon to maintain its Jamaica call while avoiding the risk of missing multiple ports.
Recurring Propulsion Problems Across Vista Class
Carnival Horizon belongs to the Vista-class of ships that has experienced multiple propulsion system issues across the fleet. These technical problems mirror reliability concerns seen in other Carnival Corporation vessels, including Queen Mary 2’s Mermaid pod system, which prompted Cunard to successfully sue the manufacturer in 2009. The pattern suggests potential design or manufacturing issues affecting multiple ships rather than isolated incidents.
What Passengers Should Know Going Forward?
Travelers booked on upcoming Carnival Horizon sailings should prepare for potential itinerary changes until the cruise line announces completion of permanent repairs. The ship remains in service because all onboard features and venues operate normally despite the speed limitation. However, the propulsion issue may eventually require dry dock repairs that could result in voyage cancellations similar to the June 2026 transatlantic crossing already cancelled for scheduled maintenance.
Steps Carnival Is Taking to Resolve Issues
- Engineers and shoreside technicians continue working on temporary solutions
- Full diagnostic assessments conducted at each Miami port return
- Modified itineraries planned to work within current speed capabilities
- Proactive guest compensation to maintain satisfaction levels
- Potential dry dock scheduling to complete permanent repairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my upcoming Carnival Horizon cruise be affected? Possibly. The ship continues operating with speed restrictions that may require itinerary modifications.
What compensation do passengers receive? Current sailings receive $100 per stateroom onboard credit plus refunds for cancelled port fees and excursions.
Can I cancel my booking due to these issues? Contact Carnival directly to discuss your specific sailing and available options based on the cruise contract terms and current circumstances.
How long will repairs take? The timeline remains unclear as engineers assess whether fixes can occur between sailings or require extended dry dock time.
