Hurricane Simon forces Mexican Riviera cruise changes as Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages reroute ships

Cruise ships operating along Mexico’s Pacific coast have changed itineraries in response to Hurricane Simon and Tropical Storm Rachel in October 2026.

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas has substituted a second Cabo San Lucas call for Puerto Vallarta, while Virgin Voyages has rerouted Brilliant Lady’s 10 October departure to ports along California and northern Baja California. Other cruise lines have reported port cancellations.

The changes are intended to keep ships away from unsafe conditions and are based on forecasts that can change.

Voyager of the Seas replaces Puerto Vallarta with second Cabo call

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas departed Los Angeles on 8 October 2026 for an eight-night Mexican Riviera sailing. Its planned calls at Catalina Island and Mazatlán were removed in an initial weather-related change involving Rachel and Simon. Cabo San Lucas was rescheduled for 10 October. A subsequent passenger communication said the deteriorating forecast for Hurricane Simon made Puerto Vallarta unsafe to visit on 13 October. The ship was instead scheduled to return to Cabo San Lucas for a second call, from 7am to 11pm. The revised cruise therefore has two visits to the same port and no other port destinations. Royal Caribbean outlined shore excursion refunds and onboard arrangements for affected guests.

Brilliant Lady reroutes its 10 October cruise

Virgin Voyages changed Brilliant Lady’s seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise departing Los Angeles on 10 October. The original Mexican calls at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta were replaced by Santa Barbara on 12 October, San Diego on 13 October and Ensenada on 14 October. The ship was scheduled to return to Los Angeles on 17 October. The cruise line cited safety concerns associated with the Pacific weather systems and acknowledged the substantial change to passengers’ plans. Reports of its guest communication described onboard credit and future voyage credit; entitlements depend on the individual booking and the company’s notification.

An earlier Brilliant Lady voyage also changed

On its 3 October departure, Brilliant Lady substituted Ensenada for Cabo San Lucas after Hurricane Rachel left residual swell that Virgin Voyages said made tender operations unsuitable. The company also adjusted the planned timing of its Mazatlán visit. The changes show that unsafe swell can disrupt port operations even after a storm has moved away.

Other reported cruise disruptions

Discovery Princess reportedly omitted a Mazatlán call scheduled for 8 October, while Carnival Radiance reportedly cancelled a Cabo San Lucas visit amid weather associated with Rachel. These changes have been reported by cruise publications; individual operational details should be checked with the operators before travel.

Hurricane Simon: official weather position on 13 October

The US National Hurricane Center reported at 8am Mountain Standard Time on 13 October that Simon was about 105 miles west of Cabo Corrientes, with maximum sustained winds of 90mph (150km/h), equivalent to Category 2. The storm was moving west at around 2mph. Hurricane and tropical storm watches were in place for parts of western Mexico and Las Islas Marías. Forecasters warned of hazardous surf, rip currents, possible storm surge and rainfall. These are conditions at the stated advisory time, not a prediction of the storm’s eventual impact.

Why operators alter routes

A tropical cyclone can affect a cruise itinerary through high seas, swell, unsafe tender operations, port restrictions and conditions ashore. Cruise lines can cancel or replace calls to reduce risk to passengers and crew. A cancelled call does not necessarily mean that the destination has sustained damage.

What affected passengers should know

Cruise lines may refund their own cancelled shore excursions and sometimes offer onboard or future-voyage credit, but arrangements vary. Passengers should rely on their operator’s sailing-specific communication for revised times, excursions and any compensation.

Frequently asked questions

Which storms disrupted cruises?

Hurricane Simon and Tropical Storm Rachel affected Mexican Riviera cruise operations in October 2026.

Which ships were affected?

Reportedly affected ships include Voyager of the Seas, Brilliant Lady, Discovery Princess and Carnival Radiance.

Why was Puerto Vallarta cancelled for Voyager of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean told passengers the forecast for Hurricane Simon meant the ship could not safely make the call.

Where did Brilliant Lady go instead?

The 10 October sailing was revised to call at Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ensenada.

Had Simon made landfall on 13 October?

At the time of the National Hurricane Center’s 8am MST advisory, Simon remained offshore.

Will passengers receive compensation?

Refunds and credits depend on the cruise line and individual sailing; passengers should consult their official notice.