Multiple cruise itineraries in the Pacific have been rerouted in early October 2026 due to Tropical Storm Rachel and Hurricane Simon threatening Mexico’s Pacific Coast and nearby U.S. shores. The National Hurricane Center tracked Tropical Storm Rachel approaching northern Baja California and southern California on October 10, and forecast Hurricane Simon to make landfall as a major hurricane on Mexico’s central coast by October 11.
Carnival Radiance Cancels Cabo San Lucas Call; Virgin Voyages Alters Brilliant Lady Itinerary
Carnival Cruise Line rerouted its Carnival Radiance itinerary, canceling the October 9 visit to Cabo San Lucas due to storm-related sea conditions. Virgin Voyages adjusted the October 10 sailing of Brilliant Lady, removing Mexican ports
Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta from the route and substituting visits to Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ensenada. Virgin Voyages notified passengers of the change, explaining safety considerations.
Virgin Voyages is compensating affected passengers with $100 onboard credit plus a $200 Future Voyage Credit per person. Passengers in RockStar and MegaRockStar accommodations receive double that, with $200 onboard credit and $300 Future Voyage Credit each.
Storm-Related Operational Challenges Affect Tender Ports
Cabo San Lucas serves as a tender-only port where passengers are transferred by boat from anchored ships to shore. Rough seas created by the storms make tender boat operations unsafe, forcing cruise lines
to cancel or skip visits to such ports. Cabo San Lucas was already closed on September 30, 2026 due to Tropical Storm Rachel’s initial impact.
Background and Official Guidance on Weather-Driven Itinerary Changes
Hurricane Simon is forecast to reach Mexico’s central Pacific coast as a major hurricane on October 11, heightening concerns for cruise route safety. Cruise lines prioritize passenger and crew safety when rerouting, often adjusting schedules to avoid hazardous weather. Virgin Voyages emphasized this in announcing the reroute, stating, “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.”
Passengers
are reminded that compensations for itinerary changes are generally considered courtesy, with refunds primarily applying to canceled excursions. Travelers should monitor the National Hurricane Center for updated storm information throughout the period.
