Mexico Travel Changes: Accommodations for Flight, Cruise Disruptions

Hurricane Helene Disrupts Travel Plans to Mexico

Travelers to Mexico may face significant disruptions due to Hurricane Helene, predicted to make landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm.

The National Hurricane Center has warned of hurricane and tropical storm conditions over the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, prompting travel concerns for those heading to or returning from Mexico.

Flight Cancellations and Delays

As of now, while U.S. flights remain largely unaffected, about 12% of flights to Cancun have been canceled, with another 14% delayed, according to FlightAware. Among departures from Cancun, 16% of flights have been canceled and 19% delayed.

Airlines Offering Travel Waivers

• Alaska Airlines: Free rebooking or cancellation for flights to/from Cancun between Sept. 25 and 27, with a new travel date by Sept. 30.
• American Airlines: Rebooking allowed for flights scheduled through Sept. 27, to be completed by Oct. 4.
• Delta Air Lines: Free rebooking for flights between Sept. 25 and 27, tickets must be reissued by Oct. 4.
• Frontier Airlines: Change fee waived for flights through Sept. 25; cancellation eligible for travel credit.
• Southwest Airlines: Rebook or standby for free through Sept. 25, full refund available for unused tickets.
• Spirit Airlines: Free rebooking allowed to fly by Oct. 2 with fare differences applicable after that.
• United Airlines: Free rebooking for flights through Sept. 27 with travel completed by Oct. 4.

Impacted Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line is responding by altering itineraries:

• Carnival Paradise, initially stopping in Cozumel, will visit Costa Maya instead.
• Carnival Valor also changed its route and will not stop in Cozumel.
• Carnival Horizon now visits Amber Cove instead of Grand Cayman.

Several Royal Caribbean itineraries have been affected:

• Independence of the Seas replaced Cozumel with Nassau.
• Mariner of the Seas skipped Cozumel entirely.
• Serenade of the Seas changed its stops from Cozumel and Costa Maya to Freeport and Nassau.
• Wonder of the Seas will not visit Cozumel or Costa Maya, instead heading to St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
• Grandeur of the Seas will also visit Nassau and Freeport instead of Cozumel and Costa Maya.

Travelers are advised to check with airlines and cruise lines for updates and changes to their itineraries.