Cruise to nowhere: Carnival cruise cancels only port due to post-tropical cyclone Francine

A Carnival Cruise Line sailing has canceled its only port, making the voyage a cruise to nowhere due to post-tropical cyclone Francine.

“Carnival Valor will return to New Orleans on Friday, Sept. 13,” Carnival told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. “The ship's next voyage will be shortened by one day and will not be able to visit Cozumel.”

The four-day Western Caribbean cruise, originally scheduled to depart Thursday, was pushed back after Carnival Valor's previous sailing was delayed returning to the Port of New Orleans. The port closed due to the storm but had reopened as of Friday.

A portion of guests’ cruise fare will be refunded for the day missed, along with costs like Wi-Fi or beverage packages purchased for that day. Guests will also receive a $100 onboard credit, a 50% future cruise credit and compensation for associated expenses like flight change fees.

Was your cruise itinerary changed?: Here's what to do next

Francine made landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday as a Category 2 hurricane before being downgraded. The storm is projected to dissipate on Friday, but parts of the Tennessee Valley and Southeast will face the risk of flooding through Saturday.

It's not unheard of for cruise lines to change itineraries and inadvertently create cruises with no port calls. In April Royal Caribbean International Alaska voyage became a cruise to nowhere when the cruise line canceled a sailing after guests had already boarded due to a technical issue with the vessel.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cruise to nowhere: Carnival cruise cancels only port due to post-tropical cyclone Francine