Carnival Cruise Line faces first storm of hurricane season
Cruise itinerary changes could be necessary as the first storm of the 2025 season heads toward a popular Carnival cruise port.
Although the typically active Atlantic hurricane season is expected to get off to a calm start as it begins on June 1, tropical activity is already heating up in the usually quieter eastern Pacific.
The eastern Pacific hurricane season, which begins slightly earlier than the Atlantic season in mid-May, already has its first named storm, Tropical Storm Alvin.
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A typical eastern Pacific hurricane season usually brings about 15 named storms and the first named storm usually doesn’t come until around June 10.
Most storms in this region track away from land, moving westward out to sea, but this season’s first storm seems to be behaving a bit differently than most.
And that behavior could potentially impact at least one cruise sailing in the popular Mexican Riviera region.
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Tropical Storm Alvin and Carnival Firenze both head toward Cabo San Lucas
As Tropical Storm Alvin became the first named storm of the 2025 Pacific hurricane season on Thursday, May 29, Carnival cruise passengers boarded Carnival Firenze in Long Beach, Calif. to cruise to Cabo San Lucas — the same place that the tropical system seems to be heading.
On Friday morning, May 30, Tropical Storm Alvin was hurling large swells toward portions of west-central and southwestern Mexico and the southern Baja California peninsula, increasing the risk of life-threatening rip currents this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Currently sailing a five-day Mexican Riviera cruise, Carnival Firenze is scheduled to visit Cabo San Lucas, located on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, on Saturday, May 31.
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Along with dangerous rip currents, Tropical Storm Alvin is expected bring a rainy day to Cabo on Saturday that could put a damper on the cruise passenger experience in the popular port. The storm is expected to rapidly weaken this weekend as it swirls toward land, reaching Cabo San Lucas late Saturday night or early Sunday morning as a tropical depression.
Of course, the ship’s captain is no doubt keeping a close eye on the weather conditions and the storm’s path. If deemed necessary, the captain will divert from the ship’s planned itinerary to avoid significant impacts from the tropical system. Cruise ship captains will always do what’s best for the safety of passengers and crew.
Is it safe to cruise during hurricane season?
If you have a Mexican Riviera or Caribbean cruise planned during hurricane season, you really shouldn’t worry.
As a long-time cruiser and 20-year coastal Florida resident, I can assure you that cruising during hurricane season is safe, and the majority of summer cruises are not affected by severe weather.
Yes, there’s always the chance that your cruise could be impacted by a storm, but your cruise line will never put your safety in jeopardy.
You should be aware though that hurricanes and tropical storms do sometimes cause cruise itineraries to be altered. Occasionally, cruises also have to be canceled as a result of significant storms, especially when they warrant the closure of cruise departure ports.
Sometimes, cruise ships even get stuck at sea because of hurricane-related cruise port closures. So, while some cruisers see their cruises canceled because of a storm, others get their vacations at sea extended.
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For example, last summer, Come Cruise With Me's Matt Frankel was on board the Margaritaville at Sea Islander when it got stuck at sea for two extra days due to Hurricane Debby.
The ship’s home port, Port Tampa Bay, closed due to the hurricane, so the ship couldn’t safely get back until after the storm passed. Although inconvenient for the Frankel family and other passengers on board, they remained safe and well taken care of by the ship’s crew as they waited out the storm in calmer waters.
Purchasing travel insurance for a cruise is always a good idea to provide you with some peace of mind, especially if you’re sailing during hurricane season.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
