Pacific Cruise Itineraries Upended as Hurricane Simon Triggers Major Port Closures Along Mexico’s Coast

Cruises along the West Coast and the Mexican Riviera have experienced a series of major itinerary adjustments in recent days, driven by a volatile mix of back-to-back hurricanes and shifting weather systems. The atmospheric disturbances have turned regional cruising into a dynamic challenge of navigation, requiring cruise lines to rapidly alter courses, swap ports of call, and prioritize passenger safety over original schedules.

The latest and most disruptive system is Hurricane Simon, a weather phenomenon that has been tracking slowly along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Although the storm initially reached formidable Category 4 status, it has since weakened to a Category 2 hurricane. Despite this downgrade, Simon continues to pack powerful wind speeds reaching up to 105 miles per hour and is drenching the coastline with heavy rainfall and generating persistently choppy seas.

The severe weather has already forced at least two major cruise ships to abandon scheduled port visits in Puerto Vallarta, while other destinations along the coastline have similarly missed out on planned arrivals as local authorities implement safety protocols. Harbor authorities in Puerto Vallarta have officially confirmed yet another high-profile cancellation, impacting Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas.

While one of the primary advantages of a modern cruise vacation is the remarkable mobility of the vessels—allowing captains to steer ships completely out of the path of major storm systems—the necessary deviations inevitably disrupt planned shore excursions and port schedules. As meteorological agencies continue to track Hurricane Simon, cruise operators are maintaining a close watch on regional conditions to protect passengers and crew while minimizing the impact on guest experiences.

Port Closures

According to local reports emerging from the Mexican cruise sector, the harbor authority in Puerto Vallarta officially ordered the port closed to all commercial and cruise traffic as Hurricane Simon tracked through the region. Local maritime and civil protection officials are continuing to monitor sea and weather conditions very closely while the storm system impacts the coast with severe downpours and turbulent marine conditions.

Port closures of this nature are standard safety procedures implemented by local authorities to prevent navigational hazards within restricted harbor channels and to protect both onshore facilities and visiting vessels from heavy storm surges and high winds.

Confirmed Canceled Port Calls

Voyager of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas was originally scheduled to make a routine port call in Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday, October 13. However, local harbor authorities confirmed that the visit was officially canceled due to the mandatory port closure. Rather than missing out on a destination entirely, passenger reports indicate that the ship’s itinerary was altered to route the vessel toward Cabo San Lucas instead of Puerto Vallarta, granting guests a unique second opportunity to visit the same popular destination later in the voyage.

One passenger shared their perspective in a social media community group dedicated to the cruise, noting the unexpected pivot: "Wow. Eight-day cruise and we get Cabo twice, then back to LA. Safety first! Thanks Simon."

The storm’s footprint on the voyage extended further north. The vessel was originally scheduled to call on Mazatlán, but that port visit was canceled days in advance as the weather models tracked Simon’s trajectory. Passengers on board received formal correspondence from Royal Caribbean outlining the initial adjustments to their voyage map.

The communication sent to guests explained the tactical rerouting: "We’ll now enjoy a Sea Day in place of our visits to Catalina Island, California and Mazatlán, Mexico, and swap a Sea Day to call on Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on Saturday."

Voyager of the Seas is currently operating an eight-night Mexican Riviera itinerary that originally departed from the Port of Los Angeles on October 8. The 3,602-passenger ship is scheduled to complete its voyage and arrive back in Los Angeles on October 16.

In response to the alterations, Royal Caribbean confirmed that any pre-paid shore excursions purchased directly through the cruise line for the canceled ports would be automatically refunded to the guests’ onboard accounts. Additionally, the line has provided passengers with onboard credits to help compensate for the unexpected changes to the planned scenic route.

Brilliant Lady

Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady experienced an even more substantial itinerary detour. The ship’s October 10 through October 17 sailing out of Los Angeles was originally designed to feature classic Mexican Riviera stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and a planned visit to Puerto Vallarta on October 14.

Due to the persistent threat and maritime restrictions associated with Hurricane Simon, all three scheduled Mexican ports were dropped from the voyage. Instead of heading south into the tropical weather system, the ship—referred to by the line as carrying "Sailors"—was rerouted northward for a sunny California coastal journey. The revised itinerary included port calls in Santa Barbara on October 12, San Diego on October 13, and Ensenada on October 14, ensuring that guests still enjoyed a rich variety of coastal destinations before heading back to Los Angeles on schedule.

What Cruisers Should Know

For travelers currently at sea on affected itineraries, or those planning upcoming voyages in regions impacted by severe weather, staying informed through official channels remains crucial. Cruise lines routinely utilize dedicated mobile applications, onboard announcements, and email notifications to deliver real-time updates regarding sudden weather-related changes.

When a port call is canceled due to severe weather or safety concerns, pre-booked shore excursions purchased directly through the cruise line are almost always refunded automatically. These funds are typically credited back to the passenger’s onboard spending account or original form of payment. Furthermore, when cruise lines must implement sweeping route changes, they often provide additional goodwill gestures, such as onboard credits or future cruise certificates, to help offset the disappointment of missed destinations.

Slow-moving tropical systems like Hurricane Simon present unique forecasting challenges for maritime operators, as their unpredictable tracks and prolonged duration over coastal regions can inflict infrastructure damage that keeps ports restricted for extended periods. Nevertheless, the fundamental advantage of modern cruise ships lies in their ability to dynamically alter courses, circumnavigate severe weather zones, and substitute alternative ports while still delivering a high-quality vacation experience.

While encountering a hurricane naturally transforms the nature of a voyage, it does not mean the vacation is compromised. As many passengers aboard Voyager of the Seas discovered when offered an unexpected double visit to Cabo San Lucas, an altered itinerary can frequently turn an anticipated storm disruption into a memorable, unique travel experience.