Two consecutive hurricanes have disrupted Pacific cruise itineraries along the Mexican Riviera and Baja California, forcing lines to reroute ships and cancel port calls. Hurricane Polo was the initial storm to hit, followed by Hurricane Rachel, a Category 1 hurricane with winds near 85 mph, located approximately 350 miles southeast of Cabo San Lucas as of late September 2026.
Cruise Lines Adjust Schedules Amid Storms
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth canceled its scheduled October 1 stop at Cabo San Lucas and instead spent several days at sea before continuing to Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. Virgin Voyages accounts indicate the Brilliant Lady’s October 3 sailing from Los Angeles, originally planned
for Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, has a contingency plan but no final itinerary has been confirmed. The previous Brilliant Lady sailing altered ports completely, removing Cabo, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta in favor of San Francisco, San Diego, Catalina Island, and Ensenada due to Hurricane Polo.
Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas removed Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada from its September 25 itinerary, replacing Ensenada with a Sea Day and advancing its Mazatlán visit while adding a full-day stop in Puerto Vallarta. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Panorama canceled Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán for its September 26 sailing, substituting
Ensenada and Sea Days. Passenger reports indicate the Panorama operated off Baja California before returning to Ensenada. Carnival Miracle also skipped Cabo San Lucas on its current Mexican Riviera itinerary because of storm conditions.
Princess Cruises adjusted Coral Princess’s schedule by canceling the Puerto Vallarta stop due to Hurricane Rachel. Grand Princess’s September 25 sailing shortened or canceled stops near Cabo San Lucas, added an overnight call in San Diego, and rescheduled the Mazatlán visit. The line offered guests the option to cancel their cruise for a full refund or remain onboard with a $100 credit.
Cause of Itinerary Changes: Rough Seas and Port Closures
The closures and modifications
stem primarily from rough seas and port accessibility issues caused by these storms. Cabo San Lucas is a tender port where cruise ships cannot dock directly, relying on small boats to deliver passengers ashore. During Hurricane Polo, rough seas forced the port’s closure. Although authorities reopened the port after Polo, they have warned that Hurricane Rachel’s progression could prompt another temporary shutdown should large swells develop.
Passenger Impacts and Cruise Line Responses
Travelers on these Pacific cruises have experienced canceled port visits in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and other locations. Some itineraries replaced canceled stops with Sea Days to prioritize safety. Cruise lines have
offered onboard credits and full refunds in response to changes. Virgin Voyages advised Brilliant Lady’s passengers to pack extra layers in case the ship reroutes toward cooler northern ports.
Official Statements and Passenger Reports
Royal Caribbean communicated to guests about the changes to Navigator of the Seas on September 25, stating: “Due to inclement weather from Hurricane Polo near Western Mexico, we’ll now enjoy a relaxing Sea Day instead of our scheduled visit to Ensenada, Mexico.” Meanwhile, a passenger aboard Carnival Panorama reported via Reddit that the ship was “doing circles off Baja Ca, and going back to Ensenada tomorrow,” reflecting adjustments underway amid the
storm conditions.
