The delivery of new Carnival Cruise Line vessel Carnival Mardi Gras has been pushed back.
The 5,200-passenger ship was due to be delivered in August 2020 with the first revenue sailing departing on August 31.
The ship will now be delivered in late October and depart from Port Canaveral in Florida on November 14 for its first revenue sailing.
Customers booked on the first eight sailings that were scheduled to start on August 31 have been offered 25% future cruise credit, a full refund and assistance with non-refundable airline and hotel reservations already booked.
If passengers re-book their cruise using their 25% future cruise credit by February 18, 2020, they will be credited with an additional $100 per person onboard credit for their sailing.
More: Carnival Christmas cruises continue after Mexico collision
Carnival Corp fourth quarter net income drops
Interview: Carnival Cruise Line UK sales boss champions value of travel agents
Carnival said it was informed by the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland that the ship would be delayed and wanted to ensure “all of the ship’s systems, features and technology will be fully operational” to give “guests the vacation they expect”.
Around 480 UK agents were due to see Mardi Gras in August when it was originally due to sail from Copenhagen via Southampton to New York.
Ben Clement, Carnival Cruise Line’s senior vice president of newbuild, said: “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.”
Podcast: 2019 a good or bad year for travel?