Carnival Cruise Line issued a cautionary letter to guests aboard the Carnival Pride, which departed Baltimore on Sunday, May 25, for a 14-night Carnival Journeys cruise to Greenland and Canada. The line warned passengers that sea ice in the North Atlantic could affect the itinerary, though it emphasized that safety and comfort remain the top priorities.
Cruise Ship on Alert
The cruise is scheduled to include five initial sea days before arriving in Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in southern Greenland. It will then continue to Canadian ports, including St. Anthony, Corner Brook and Sydney, before returning to Baltimore on June 5.
“With support and guidance from our Fleet Operations Center, Captain [Vito] Giacalone has been closely monitoring real-time sea conditions and weather forecasts for the region,” the letter stated. “He has much practice sailing the waters in the area, but he will also have experienced local pilots from Greenland on board.”
Carnival’s message comes after multiple recent voyages to Greenland aboard the Carnival Pride were heavily impacted by Arctic conditions. In both May and Sept. 2024, the ship was forced to skip key Greenlandic ports due to dense fog, rough seas and persistent sea ice.
To manage expectations, Carnival is proactively communicating potential disruptions to current guests. “Should any changes be necessary, Captain Giacalone will communicate them promptly,” the letter continued, adding that the crew “appreciates your understanding and flexibility as we navigate this remarkable part of the world.”
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald also weighed in via social media: “There is no better captain to do this than my friend Captain Vito, but he will never ever put the ship’s safety in jeopardy.”
