Although the giant nor’easter on the U.S. East Coast and major Hurricane Polo have ended, the cruise industry is still affected by the weather. At the moment, multiple cruise ships have been forced to adjust itineraries due to Hurricane Rachel off Mexico’s west coast.
Brilliant Lady (October 3 Cruise)
Brilliant Lady, which is operated by Virgin Voyages, could be impacted by Hurricane Rachel. On September 30 the cruise line informed guests booked on the October 3 sailing out of Los Angeles in California of a possible itinerary change and in fact, the cruise line has already prepared an alternative itinerary, but has not yet released it.
Virgin Voyages stated, “Rachel has strengthened into a hurricane and is expected to continue tracking northwest. Our current planned track for Brilliant Lady would bring us near Baja California around Sunday night into Monday morning, while we’re on our way to Cabo San Lucas, close enough to the storm’s path that we’re taking it seriously and planning ahead.“
At this time no revised itinerary has been issued, but a further update is on the way.
Carnival Panorama (September 26 Cruise)
Carnival Panorama had already received an itinerary change for the September 26 sailing out of Long Beach, California due to Hurricane Polo. However, that cruise has now been impacted further due to Rachel.
The ship’s first revised itinerary has already cancelled Puerto Vallarta on September 29 and Mazatlan on September 30. The ship instead made a call to Ensenada on September 28 with the plan to then visit La Paz on October 1 and Cabo San Lucas on October 2 as normal.
Now, the voyage has been adjusted yet again with Carnival Panorama returning to Ensenada on October 1, with October 2 and 3 being days at sea. The ship will not be heading further south and the calls to La Paz and Cabo San Lucas have been cancelled. So it means Carnival Panorama is just calling at Ensenada twice and then returning to Long Beach as normal on October 4.
Guests are being given a $300 onboard credit per stateroom that will be on the guest’s Sail & Sign account. Carnival is also putting on extra activities and events each day to keep passengers entertained.
Carnival Miracle (September 26 Cruise)
Carnival Miracle has also been forced to adjust its cruise with Rachel churning off Mexico’s west coast. Guests on the current September 26 sailing out of Seattle, Washington have been informed that Cabo San Lucas in Mexico on October 1 has been cancelled.
The ship is in the process of repositioning to Galveston, Texas and is scheduled to arrive there on October 12.
Grand Princess (September 25 Cruise)
Grand Princess is currently sailing a 10-night itinerary that departed Los Angeles on September 25. Due to the previous Hurricane Polo, the cruise had already been adjusted, with La Paz on September 29, Guaymas on September 30, and Puerto Vallarta on October 2 all cancelled. The cruise line also shifted its Cabo San Lucas call from September 27 to October 2.
In a further adjustment, the Cabo San Lucas call on October 2 has now been cancelled due to the powerful Hurricane Rachel.
Cruise Hive will continue to keep track of cruise ships impacted by Rachel and will continue to update this page when needed and when more details are confirmed.
