Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas will skip two ports of call on its current Panama Canal cruise due to two storms in the Pacific Ocean.
Guests sailing aboard Radiance of the Seas' October 4, 2025, cruise were notified that they'd no longer visit Cabo San Lucas or Mazatlán. Instead, the ship will spend two extra days at sea on Oct. 6 and 7.
"Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we’ve been closely monitoring a tropical disturbance that is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone forming along our voyage path," reads the email sent to impacted passengers.
"These [storms’] forecast track makes it hard to provide you with a safe and comfortable journey toward Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlán, Mexico. So, after exploring all of our options, we’ve decided to enjoy two (2) Sea Days instead."
Although skipping two ports is disappointing, Royal Caribbean emphasized that the safety and comfort of its guests and crew remain the company’s top priority.
Moreover, passengers will receive a non-refundable onboard credit based on their stateroom category as compensation:
- Inside: $75 USD
- Outside: $100 USD
- Balcony: $175 USD
- Suite: $200 USD
- 3rd or more guests: $25 USD per person
Any pre-paid excursions booked through Royal Caribbean for Cabo and Mazatlán will be refunded as onboard credit that can be used anywhere on the ship. Unused credit from the refunded tours will be reimbursed to the credit card associated with the guests' onboard account at the end of the sailing.
The email continues, "We’re terribly sorry for this last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority. Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because our ship can quickly move out of the way of any inclement weather."
Reminder to "washy washy"
After nearly 100 passengers were sickened on a recent sailing on Serenade of the Seas, Royal Caribbean reminded guests of the importance of washing their hands frequently, especially since illnesses like norovirus can spread quickly in shared spaces:
"As we’ll be spending more days at sea than planned, we want to remind you to please wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after restroom breaks and again before eating."
"We also encourage you to use the complimentary hand sanitizing gel available throughout the ship as often as possible. The gel should be rubbed thoroughly and continuously until your hands are dry. However, the hand sanitizing gel is not a substitution for thorough hand washing with soap and warm water."
Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Octave
Hurricane Priscilla continued to strengthen early Monday in the Pacific Ocean, with gusty winds and heavy rains affecting the coastal areas of southwest Mexico.
As of 11 a.m. MST, Hurricane Priscilla had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, making the storm a Category 1. Moreover, Hurricane Priscilla was headed north-northwest at 6 mph and was about 245 miles south-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.
Octave became a hurricane on Sunday but was downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday morning. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the weakening Tropical Storm Octave was headed eastward with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
