Tropical Storm Rachel and Hurricane Simon in early October 2026 prompted cruise lines to change planned Pacific Coast itineraries. The National Hurricane Center forecast Tropical Storm Rachel to approach northern Baja California and extreme southern California on the night of October 10, while Hurricane Simon was expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on Mexico’s central coast on October 11.
Cruise Lines Cancel and Reroute Itineraries
Carnival Cruise Line canceled the Carnival Radiance’s scheduled visit to Cabo San Lucas on October 9 due to rough sea conditions caused by Tropical Storm Rachel. Virgin Voyages modified the Brilliant Lady’s October 10 sailing out of Los Angeles
by removing Mexican ports Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta and adding stops in Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ensenada, Mexico.
Passenger Compensation and Safety Priority
Virgin Voyages announced onboard credit of $100 and a $200 Future Voyage Credit per passenger for the affected Brilliant Lady sailing. Travelers booked in RockStar and MegaRockStar accommodations receive $200 onboard credit and $300 Future Voyage Credit. In communication to passengers, Virgin Voyages emphasized that safety considerations guided the decision: “After carefully considering the latest forecast, we’ve made the decision to adjust our planned route. Your safety and the safety of our crew always come first.”
Impact of Rough Seas and Previous Storms on Cruise Routing
The port
of Cabo San Lucas depends on tender boats to transfer passengers from anchored ships to shore, which become unsafe in rough seas, leading to cancellations. Earlier in the month, Virgin Voyages had rerouted Brilliant Lady’s September 26 itinerary due to Hurricane Polo, a Category 5 storm that also required Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas to alter its route.
Traveler Guidance and Monitoring of Storms
Travelers on Pacific cruises in October 2026 should expect altered itineraries and canceled port visits due to the storms. The National Hurricane Center provides ongoing forecasts and updates for Tropical Storm Rachel and Hurricane Simon as their paths and intensities change
along Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
