The National Hurricane Center forecasted on October 9, 2026, that Tropical Storm Rachel would approach northern Baja California and extreme southern California by the night of October 10, while Hurricane Simon was expected to make landfall on Mexico’s central Pacific coast as a major hurricane on October 11. These weather developments prompted multiple cruise lines to revise their Pacific Coast itineraries.
Cruise Lines Reroute Itineraries and Cancel Ports
In response to Tropical Storm Rachel, Carnival Cruise Line rerouted the Carnival Radiance and canceled its scheduled visit to Cabo San Lucas on October 9. Virgin Voyages modified the itinerary for Brilliant Lady’s October 10 sailing, replacing Mexican stops
in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta with alternative ports at Santa Barbara and San Diego in California, and Ensenada in Mexico. Royal Caribbean also rerouted several ships, although specific vessel names and ports affected were not detailed.
Passenger Impact and Compensation
Passengers on Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady were offered compensation due to the itinerary changes. Each affected passenger received $100 in onboard credit and a $200 future voyage credit, while RockStar and MegaRockStar passengers received $200 onboard and $300 future voyage credits. Cruise lines cited safety concerns related to rough sea conditions, especially in Cabo San Lucas where tender boats are used
for shore transfers and become unsafe during storms, as reasons for canceling port visits.
Official Statements and Safety Advisories
Virgin Voyages stated, “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.” The cruise industry routinely adapts itineraries amid tropical storms and hurricanes to prevent risk to passengers and crew. Travelers on affected sailings are advised to remain flexible and monitor updates from authorities such as the National Hurricane Center, which issued the storm forecasts at 6:30 p.m. ET on October 9, 2026.
