While the Atlantic hurricane season got off to a somewhat sleepy start in June, the usually quieter eastern Pacific season has been abnormally active.
This year’s season is already on its sixth named storm by the end of June, while a typical eastern Pacific hurricane season usually only brings about 15 named storms total between May and November. And most of those track out to sea.
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The 2025 season hasn’t started out in a typical fashion at all, however, as several storms took aim at western Mexico in May and June.
Not only is this atypical Pacific hurricane season creating worries for communities in Mexico, it’s causing complications for cruises sailing to the popular Mexican Riviera region, too.
Like Tropical Storms Alvin and Barbara did earlier in the season, Tropical Storm Flossie formed off Mexico’s southwestern coast on June 29.
On June 30, Tropical Storm Flossie was strengthening as it moved west-northwest in the direction of the Mexican Riviera, according to the National Hurricane Center.
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Cabo San Lucas is a very popular Carnival cruise port in the Mexican Riviera.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
What does an active Pacific hurricane season mean for Mexican Riviera cruises?
Considering the active start to the season, cruises to the Mexican Riviera are more likely to be affected by rainy days and storms this year than they have been past seasons.
But although there’s always the chance that your Mexican Riviera cruise could be impacted by severe weather, including tropical storms and hurricanes, your cruise line will never jeopardize safety.
If necessary, cruise lines that sail in the region like Carnival and Royal Caribbean will alter their itineraries to sail safely away from the path of a storm. Occasionally, cruise itinerary changes have to be made to avoid a storm that’s forecast to impact the Mexican Riviera and its popular cruise ports on the Baja California peninsula like Cabo San Lucas.
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As Tropical Storm Flossie strengthens and heads in the direction of Cabo, it’s expected to bring heavy rain, high winds, and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions to the coast of southwestern Mexico over the next few days.
At least one cruise is likely to be affected by the storm — Carnival Panorama’s current six-day Mexican Riviera cruise, which scheduled to visit Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula on both July 1 and July 2.
Tropical Storm Flossie may cause Carnival Panorama to skip a day in Cabo San Lucas
Carnival Panorama Captain Carlo Queirolo is keeping a close eye on the weather conditions and the storm’s path and already provided an advisory to passengers regarding Tropical Storm Flossie.
In a June 30 video message posted on his Facebook page, Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald shared Captain Carlo’s message as an example of how the cruise line keeps its passengers informed during hurricane season.
“In partnership with our Fleet Operations Center in Miami, we are actively monitoring Tropical Storm Flossie, which has formed in the Pacific. The storm is forecasted to move in a northwesterly direction over the next few days. And it is possible that our itinerary will be affected,” Captain Carlo explained to passengers.
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Luckily, the cruise itinerary includes two days in Cabo San Lucas, so passengers may still be able to visit the port on at least one of the two days.
“While we are expecting to safely visit Cabo San Lucas on Tuesday, July 1st, it is possible that we will not be able to keep the second visit to the destination, which is for Wednesday, July 2nd,” Captain Carlo noted.
Considering how storm tracks can shift, the captain isn’t calling off the second day in Cabo just yet.
“Forecasts can change and at present there are no change to our plans but safety is everybody’s priority. We will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates,” he added.
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