Carnival Spirit's repositioning voyage from Seattle to Mobile, Alabama, was reduced to a single destination port after two separate disruptions removed Cabo San Lucas and Puntarenas from the itinerary.
The Carnival Journeys sailing was originally advertised as a 16-night cruise with calls at Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, Puntarenas in Costa Rica and Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, as well as a daytime transit of the Panama Canal.
Cartagena remained the only scheduled destination call after the first two ports were cancelled.
Puntarenas cancelled after Hurricane Trudy diversion
The ship had been scheduled to visit Puntarenas on 17 October 2026. In a message issued to passengers, Captain Lorenzo Calogero said Carnival Spirit had taken a wider route to avoid the most severe weather associated with Hurricane Trudy.
Strong opposing currents then reduced the ship's speed, leaving it unable to reach Costa Rica within the port's required entry window.
The captain told guests that the ship would instead spend the day at sea while continuing towards Panama. He said the safety of passengers and crew remained Carnival's priority and apologised for the weather interfering with the itinerary.
The US National Hurricane Center's archive confirms that Trudy was a hurricane in the Eastern Pacific during the affected period.
Cabo San Lucas had already been removed
Puntarenas was the second destination removed from the voyage. The planned call at Cabo San Lucas on 13 October had already been cancelled after the ship's departure from Seattle was postponed by one day.
The cruise had been due to begin on 8 October but instead departed on 9 October, shortening the voyage from 16 nights to 15. Carnival told guests that Carnival Spirit needed additional time to complete repair work after extending its stay in Hawaii during the preceding voyage.
Cabo San Lucas was removed to help protect the ship's scheduled Panama Canal transit slot on 19 October.
Cartagena left as the only destination call
Following its Panama Canal transit, Carnival Spirit was scheduled to visit Cartagena de Indias on 20 October. The ship would then spend four days at sea before completing the repositioning voyage in Mobile on 24 October.
The Panama Canal transit remained a central part of the voyage but was not a conventional destination call where passengers could leave the ship.
The sailing was repositioning Carnival Spirit from its summer programme in Alaska to its winter homeport in Alabama.
Refunds and compensation
Carnival automatically cancelled shore excursions booked through the cruise line for Puntarenas and refunded the cost to passengers' onboard accounts.
For the earlier one-day departure delay, guests were advised that they would receive a prorated refund covering one day of their cruise fare and prepaid packages. Reports citing Carnival's passenger notice also said the line offered $250 in onboard credit per stateroom and reimbursement of up to $200 per person for documented costs linked to independently booked flight changes.
Carnival-booked Cabo San Lucas excursions were also due to be refunded automatically. Arrangements made independently were subject to the conditions of the individual tour or travel provider.
Two different causes behind the disruption
The itinerary changes did not have a single cause. Cabo San Lucas was removed following the delayed Seattle departure connected to additional repair time, while Puntarenas was cancelled after the weather avoidance route and opposing currents affected the ship's progress.
No public Carnival newsroom announcement detailing the incident was located. The changes were communicated directly to affected passengers, including an onboard statement from the captain subsequently reported by cruise-industry publications.
Frequently asked questions
Which Carnival Spirit cruise was affected?
The affected sailing was the ship's October 2026 repositioning voyage from Seattle, Washington, to Mobile, Alabama.
Which port calls were cancelled?
Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and Puntarenas in Costa Rica were removed from the itinerary.
Why was Cabo San Lucas cancelled?
The ship left Seattle one day later than planned after additional repair time was required. Cabo was removed as the voyage was shortened and Carnival sought to preserve the scheduled Panama Canal transit.
Why was Puntarenas cancelled?
The captain said the ship sailed a wider route to avoid the most severe weather from Hurricane Trudy. Strong opposing currents reduced its speed, preventing arrival within the port's entry window.
Which port remained on the itinerary?
Cartagena de Indias in Colombia remained the sole scheduled destination call. The Panama Canal transit also remained but was not a normal port visit.
Were Carnival shore excursions refunded?
Yes. Carnival-booked excursions for the cancelled Puntarenas call were automatically refunded to passengers' onboard accounts. Cabo excursions booked through Carnival were also due to be refunded.
Did Carnival issue a public press release?
Deck7 did not locate a public Carnival newsroom release. The information came from notices and statements sent directly to passengers and subsequently reported by cruise-industry publications.