Key Aspects:
- Ovation of the Seas will no longer visit Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for an overnight call on August 8-9, 2025, due to heavy wind and rough seas from Tropical Storm Ivo.
- Strong winds and big swells have made tendering operations unsafe at the cruise port, and safety always has to be the top priority.
- Guests currently onboard were compensated with onboard credits based on their cabin type and the number of cruisers in their travel party.
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas has been homeporting in Los Angeles for the summer season, but the famous West Coast sunshine is never a guarantee.
In fact, it’s this lack of sunshine due to Tropical Storm Ivo that has caused the captain onboard the Quantum-class cruise ship to cancel an overnight port call to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, that was scheduled for August 8-9, 2025.
The one other port call on the 6-night itinerary, which is on Ensenada, Mexico, on August 11, is so far unchanged.
Cabo is known to have a shallower depth, so larger cruise ships drop anchor just inside of the marina and ferry cruise guests between the ship and the shore using smaller tenders.
However, the weather conditions need to align to tender guests safely, and that just isn’t the case at the moment.
“As previously announced by our Captain, the port of Cabo San Lucas has closed until further notice as there have been high winds and swells in and around the area making it unsafe to tender for our call,” reads a letter sent to the up to the 4,905 guests onboard.
“Due to this unforeseen circumstance, we will enjoy two Sea Days instead,” the update continued.
Throughout the day on August 8, Cabo has been experiencing rain showers and winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour.
This is related to Tropical Storm Ivo, which has been bringing heavy rain and winds as it makes its way along Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
Safety Must Come First
Contrary to what some of the reactions to this necessary itinerary change might suggest, Royal Caribbean does not control the weather.
While the brand certainly doesn’t want to disappoint passengers, it has a duty first and foremost to make sure that everyone returns home safe and sound at the end of their vacation.
“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority,” the cruise line expressed.
“Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because our ship can quickly move out of the way of inclement weather.“
Read Also: Everything to Know About Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port
Though Royal Caribbean is not responsible for the circumstances, guests were still provided with compensation in the form of onboard credits as a good faith gesture.
Interior and oceanview credits were given a $100 credit per stateroom, balcony cabins got a $150 credit, and suites received a $200 credit.
Passengers also received an additional $25 credit for each guest after the first two in a cabin. So, a third guest would warrant an extra $25, and a fourth guest would bring the total up to an extra $50, and so fourth.
These onboard credits are non-refundable and have to be used before this voyage concludes on August 12.
Shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean will also be automatically refunded as onboard credits, which will be subsequently refunded to the original form of payment if any funds are left over after guests disembark.
With Tropical Storm Ivo expected to become a hurricane at some point on August 8 before it weakens over the weekend, it’s also possible that other cruise ships sailing in Mexico could be impacted.
Cruise tracking data shows that Carnival Panorama also skipped its planned one-day call on Cabo San Lucas on August 8.
At this time, it’s unclear if Carnival Firenze’s planned visit on August 9 will also be impacted by the weather.
