MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line has announced a delay in the delivery of Mardi Gras, with its first revenue sailing now departing in November 2020.

After being informed by officials at the Meyer Turku shipyard, the cruise line is advising booked guests and travel agents that it will now take delivery of the ship in late October. It was previously announced that Mardi Gras’ inaugural season would begin in summer 2020; with the delay, its first revenue sailing is now scheduled to depart Port Canaveral on Nov. 14, 2020.

Consequently, the first eight sailings that were scheduled starting Aug. 31 have been cancelled, including European, transatlantic and New York-based itineraries, as well as four Port Canaveral itineraries.

According to Carnival, guests were notified promptly after the notice by Meyer Turku to allow impacted guests to make alternative vacation plans.

As a gesture of goodwill, Carnival is offering these guests a 25% 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) and assistance with non-refundable airline and hotel reservations already booked.

In addition, if guests rebook their cruise vacation using their 25% FCC by Feb. 18, 2020, they will be credited with an additional US$100 per person onboard credit for that cruise.

Carnival has also communicated guidelines to travel agents 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,” said Ben Clement, Carnival Cruise Line’s senior vice president of newbuild. “Our commitment is to deliver a great and innovative ship, and Mardi Gras will definitely be that when it arrives in North America.”