If you’re watching the cruise world today, there’s a lot happening.
Hurricane Polo is changing Mexican Riviera itineraries. Norwegian Cruise Line has delayed a Hawaii sailing because of Tropical Storm Nolo. Holland America is showing how much more immersive a longer voyage can be. And Princess Cruises has opened several festive holiday sailings with limited space.
Here’s the thing: weather-driven itinerary changes are normal this time of year. They can be frustrating, especially when you’ve been counting down to a specific port. But cruise lines monitor conditions closely, make safety-first decisions, and often provide refunds, onboard credit, or future cruise credits when plans change.
Let’s look at today’s biggest cruise news and deals.
Hurricane Polo Is Reshaping Mexican Riviera Sailings
As of the September 25 NOAA advisory, Hurricane Polo was a Category 5 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast, with winds near 180 MPH. The storm was approximately 410 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas.
That puts popular ports such as Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, La Paz, and Puerto Vallarta directly in the conversation.
The National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Polo advisories remain the best place to watch the official forecast. But if you’re booked on a ship in the region, your cruise line or travel advisor should be your first source for sailing-specific updates.
Grand Princess: Baja Ports Changed
The September 25 Grand Princess sailing from Los Angeles has already received major itinerary changes:
- La Paz on September 29: Cancelled
- Guaymas on September 30: Cancelled
- Puerto Vallarta on October 2: Cancelled
- San Diego: Added as an overnight call, arriving September 26 and departing September 27
- Mazatlán on October 1: Added as a replacement call
Guests have reportedly been given two choices:
- Cancel and receive a full 100% refund
- Continue sailing and receive a $100 onboard credit
That’s a big change from the original plan, but it also shows how cruise lines work around dangerous conditions rather than trying to force a port visit.
Navigator of the Seas: Cabo and Ensenada Removed
Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, sailing from Los Angeles on September 25, also changed course:
- Ensenada on September 26: Cancelled
- Cabo San Lucas on September 28: Cancelled
- Mazatlán: Shifted to September 28
- Puerto Vallarta: Added on September 29
Shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean for the cancelled ports are being refunded as onboard credit.
If you’re booked on Navigator of the Seas, you can also review Royal Caribbean’s general itinerary change information.
And honestly? A day at sea can still be a great cruise day. Sleep in, enjoy breakfast on your balcony, find a lounge chair, see a show, or finally try that activity you skipped on embarkation day.
Brilliant Lady: A New California-Focused Route
Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady, departing Los Angeles on September 26, has cancelled calls at:
- Cabo San Lucas
- Mazatlán
- Puerto Vallarta
The revised itinerary adds:
- San Francisco on September 28
- San Diego on September 30
- Ensenada on October 2
- Return to Los Angeles on October 3
Other ships to watch include:
- Carnival Panorama, departing Long Beach September 26
- Carnival Miracle, departing Seattle September 26
- Queen Elizabeth, departing Seattle
- Coral Princess, departing Vancouver
If you’re sailing from California, Washington, or British Columbia this weekend, check your email, cruise app, and booking portal before heading to the terminal.
Norwegian Delays Pride of America Hawaii Sailing
Norwegian Cruise Line has pushed back the Honolulu embarkation for Pride of America’s September 26 seven-night Hawaii sailing to Monday, September 28.
The delay is due to Tropical Storm Nolo, which had winds near 70 MPH and was approximately 455 miles south-southeast of Honolulu. Forecasts indicated the storm could strengthen into a major hurricane.
The shortened itinerary is scheduled to include:
- Hilo: September 29
- Kona: September 30
- Nawiliwili: October 1
- Kahului: October 2
- Honolulu: October 3
Norwegian has offered affected guests two options.
Option 1: Sail on the Revised Itinerary
Guests who sail receive:
- A 50% refund of cruise fare
- A 50% refund of service charges
- A 50% refund of Free at Sea drink package charges
- A 50% Future Cruise Credit usable through December 31, 2027
Option 2: Cancel Before the Deadline
Guests who cancel by September 26 may receive:
- A full refund
- A 10% Future Cruise Credit toward any Norwegian sailing through December 31, 2027
Norwegian’s official Pride of America page is a useful reference, but affected guests should rely on the specific written communication attached to their reservation.
Practical takeaway: Don’t assume a delayed cruise means your vacation is ruined. The route may be shorter, but you’re still getting time in Hawaii, and the compensation package may help you plan your next trip.
Holland America’s Noordam Offers a Longer, Deeper Vacation
While some travelers are dealing with last-minute changes, Holland America’s Noordam is in the middle of an entirely different kind of cruise experience.
The ship is sailing a 28-night roundtrip voyage called “Glaciers & Volcanoes: Alaska to Hawaii.” It departed Seattle on September 6 and returns October 4, 2026.
This is a great example of a longer, more immersive vacation package.
The itinerary includes:
- Vancouver
- Ketchikan
- Sitka
- Hubbard Glacier
- Anchorage
- Kodiak
- Dutch Harbor
- Nawiliwili
- Honolulu, including an overnight stay
- Kahului
- Hilo
- Scenic cruising past Kilauea
The 1,972-guest Noordam gives travelers time to settle into the journey instead of rushing from one destination to the next.
You get Alaska’s glaciers and wildlife, followed by Hawaii’s beaches, volcanoes, and island culture. That’s not just a cruise. That’s a serious “wow moment” vacation.
Holland America describes these longer itineraries as Legendary Voyages. They may be especially appealing if you have more flexibility, are celebrating a milestone, or want to combine multiple regions without arranging separate flights and hotels.
Pro Tip: When comparing cruise deals, don’t look only at the fare. Compare the number of nights, included ports, hotel stays, flights, and transfers. A longer sailing can sometimes deliver better overall value than piecing together multiple shorter vacations.
Princess Holiday Sailings Are Filling Up
If a holiday cruise is your jam, Princess Cruises has several attractive options for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Space is limited on these 2026 Holidays at Sea sailings:
Discovery Princess: Mexican Riviera
- Dates: November 21–28, 2026
- Length: 7 days
- Departure: Los Angeles
- Highlights: Mexican Riviera ports and onboard holiday celebrations
Caribbean Princess: Panama Canal
- Dates: December 17–29, 2026
- Length: 12 days
- Departure: Fort Lauderdale
- Highlights: Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and Caribbean ports
Regal Princess: Eastern Caribbean
- Dates: December 20–26, 2026
- Length: 6 days
- Departure: Fort Lauderdale
- Highlights: Eastern Caribbean and Celebration Key
Ruby Princess: Hawaiian Islands
- Dates: December 26, 2026–January 11, 2027
- Length: 16 days
- Departure: San Francisco
- Highlights: Hawaii over the holidays and New Year’s
Princess holiday sailings typically include special touches such as:
- Tree-lighting ceremonies
- Holiday movies
- Themed crafts
- Festive entertainment
- Special menus
- Seasonal decorations and activities
You can read the latest details in Princess Cruises’ holiday announcement.
Let me be straight with you: holiday cruises are not the kind of trip I’d wait too long to arrange. Families often need specific dates, nearby cabins, accessible rooms, and flights that work around school and work schedules. Those options can disappear quickly.
Pro Tip: Book With a Travel Agency When Plans Get Complicated
I know you can search for a cruise online in minutes. I do it too.
But when weather changes your port order, your flight is delayed, or you need to compare a cruise with a hotel-and-resort vacation package, having a real person matters.
At ITS Travel Services, we can help you compare:
- Current cruise deals
- Best cruise deals 2026
- Caribbean vacation deals
- Luxury Mediterranean cruises
- Cruise line promotions
- Cabin locations and categories
- Flights, hotels, rental cars, and transfers
- Travel protection and cancellation terms
I started cruising in 2012, when my then-wife and I took a Carnival cruise for our honeymoon. I still remember sitting on the balcony in the morning and enjoying the fresh sea air. That first sailing hooked me.
Now, we help travelers from Flushing, Fenton, Grand Blanc, Detroit, and throughout mid-Michigan find trips that fit their budget and comfort level.
A big travel website can show you a price. We help you understand what that price actually includes (that’s travel-agent-speak for avoiding unpleasant surprises later).
The Bottom Line for September 26
Today’s cruise news comes with two important reminders:
- Weather can change cruise itineraries, especially during hurricane season.
- Cruise lines often provide rebooking options, refunds, onboard credit, or future cruise credits when plans change.
Whether you’re watching Hurricane Polo updates, considering a longer Holland America voyage, or hoping to spend the holidays at sea with Princess, timing matters.
Popular cabins and holiday dates won’t sit around forever. And some of the best cruise deals may disappear before the next promotion begins.
You can explore our latest cruise deal updates, learn why working with a local travel agency can beat booking online, or contact ITS Travel Services to talk through your options.
No pressure. Tell us where you’re thinking about going, and we’ll help you explore the current cruise deals and vacation packages that may be the right fit for you.