Key Aspects:
- Navigator of the Seas‘ July 24, 2026 itinerary is being adjusted due to rough weather from two storm systems.
- The ship’s visit to Ensenada is cancelled and the visits to Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan are both moved up one day.
- There is no change to the ship’s departure from Los Angeles or her return to her homeport at the end of the weeklong cruise.
Guests boarding Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas on Friday, July 24, 2026 will not be sailing the itinerary they have been expecting. In a last-minute change, the cruise line has alerted guests that every port visit is now adjusted (and one is cancelled) to sail smoother seas instead of risking tropical storm conditions.
Navigator of the Seas is homeported from Los Angeles, California and the July 24 departure is a 7-night Mexican sailing that originally had visits planned for Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan.
In a notification sent to booked guests, the cruise line explains the need for the itinerary change.
“Due to tropical storm conditions and rough seas, we have adjusted our itinerary to provide a smoother and more enjoyable sailing experience,” the email reads.
“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority.”
Originally, the 3,376-guest ship was scheduled to visit Ensenada on Saturday, July 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a day at sea before enjoying Cabo San Lucas on Monday, July 27 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mazatlan was the next day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Two additional days at sea would have wrapped up the cruise as Navigator of the Seas made her way back to southern California for debarkation on Friday, July 31.
While embarkation and debarkation have not changed, the port visit to Ensenada is now cancelled completely and Saturday will be a day at sea instead.
The visit to Cabo San Lucas has been moved up to Sunday, July 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., which is 90 minutes shorter than the originally planned visit time. Likewise, Mazatlan has also been moved up a day to Monday, July 27, but the port time remains unchanged at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Now the sailing will end with three full days at sea as the ship returns to Los Angeles for an on-time debarkation.
Royal Caribbean has noted that any shore excursions that have been pre-paid through the cruise line will be adjusted accordingly for the new port days and visit times. Tours that cannot be adjusted, as well as any tours for Ensenada, will be refunded to guests’ onboard accounts.
What Storms Are Impacting Navigator of the Seas?
Two active storm systems are causing rough conditions that are now impacting Navigator of the Seas.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Fausto is located just over 1,000 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas. While the Category 1 storm is moving quickly westward and will not directly impact the popular Mexican port, swells and turbulence can extend hundreds of miles from a hurricane.
A second storm is also likely to develop off the southern coast of Mexico and head west-northwest over the next few days. While this area of development is not yet an official storm, it too is likely to cause rough seas near Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan.
By moving up both port visits, Navigator of the Seas will be able to enjoy smoother sailing throughout the cruise as well as safer, more stable tendering operations in Cabo San Lucas, ensuring all guests enjoy the port visit.
“Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because our ship can quickly move out of the way of any inclement weather,” Royal Caribbean has reminded guests.
Cruise Hive is also keeping close watch on other storm-related impacts to cruise ships from Tropical Storm Bertha in the Western Caribbean. At this time there are no confirmed itinerary changes, but Carnival Cruise Line is monitoring the storm and how it may impact Carnival Breeze sailing from Galveston.
