Just days after returning to service after 17 cruiseless months during the ongoing pandemic, the Long Beach-based Carnival Panorama is experiencing technical problems that will impact the timing of the ship’s return to its homeport.

In online posts, passengers shared a letter from Carnival explaining Panorama “is experiencing an issue that is affecting the ship’s maximum cruising speed.” As a result, the ship will be arriving later than scheduled Saturday morning at approximately 10:30 a.m.

The ship’s operator had no further information available on the issue impacting the ship’s speed or when the problem would be resolved.

A letter shared with Carnival Panorama passengers explaining a technical issue is delaying the ship’s return time to Long Beach.

Panorama’s current seven-day itinerary—the first cruise to set sail out of California since the pandemic began—is carrying passengers along the Mexican Riviera and Baja California after leaving Long Beach on Saturday, Aug 21.

To protect the crew and passengers, Carnival has implemented extensive coronavirus protocols, including requiring proof of vaccination for the vast majority of guests and regular testing for others. Panorama’s entire 1,400-member crew is fully vaccinated, according to the company’s website.

All passengers, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 test result from within three days of embarkation. Unvaccinated guests must take another test prior to embarkation and a third 24 hours into the voyage if the cruise is longer than four days.

The Panorama is one of Carnival’s newest vessels and can accommodate 4,008 passengers but is operating at about 75% capacity.

With plans to ultimately have three ships based locally, Carnival is a major economic player in Long Beach, generating millions of dollars in passenger fees, hotel room stays, and restaurant and retail spending.