Carnival Cruise Alters Itinerary to Avoid Hurricane Hilary
Carnival Cruise Line has made significant changes to the itinerary of its Carnival Panorama ship to steer clear of Hurricane Hilary. The alterations have been put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and crew.
Guests who were scheduled to embark on the Carnival Panorama on Saturday, August 19, received updates concerning the changes to their itinerary and port visits. The original plan had to be modified due to the imminent threat of Hurricane Hilary.
The revised schedule involves adjusting the ship’s sailing route, canceling one port of call, and making changes to the port days. Guests were promptly informed about these modifications through a letter provided upon embarkation.
Initially, the itinerary included two days at sea, followed by three port days in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas, respectively. Afterward, the ship was set to return to Los Angeles on August 26. However, in light of the hurricane’s projected path, the revised itinerary now consists of two days at sea, a day in Cabo San Lucas, a day in Puerto Vallarta, followed by two more days at sea before returning to Los Angeles as scheduled. Regrettably, the call on Mazatlan had to be canceled.
The decision to cancel the Mazatlan port may have been influenced by various factors such as port schedules and berth availability. It should be noted that the Emerald Princess, another cruise ship, was already scheduled to visit Mazatlan on the same day.
Although the cancellation of Mazatlan is disappointing, guests will have extended port times in Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. The ship will now spend more time in Cabo San Lucas from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. instead of the original time frame of 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additionally, the port time in Puerto Vallarta has been extended by 30 minutes until 9:30 p.m., allowing guests to make the most of their visit despite the necessary adjustment.
Carnival Cruise Line is working diligently to ensure a smooth transition for guests. All pre-purchased shore tours for Carnival will be adjusted according to the new port days and times. Furthermore, passengers who had booked tours for the canceled port of Mazatlan will receive refunds to their onboard accounts. The taxes, fees, and port expenses associated with Mazatlan will also be refunded accordingly.
With an additional day at sea, the Fun Squad, which consists of the ship’s entertainment staff responsible for organizing various activities, will be arranging extra options to keep guests entertained as the ship returns to Los Angeles.
Cruise ships from other lines have also had to make alterations due to Hurricane Hilary. Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas and Princess Cruises’ Emerald Princess have adjusted their itineraries to avoid the storm’s path.
It is important to note that these changes are somewhat unusual for this time of year. Eastern Pacific storms typically move west into open waters, with less impact on land. Hurricane Hilary, currently a Category 3 Major hurricane with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour, is expected to affect the northern Baja and southern California region by midday Sunday.
Carnival Cruise Line continues to prioritize the safety and satisfaction of its guests, making necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Hilary.
