Princess Cruise Ship Stranded at Port: Another Voyage Canceled Due to Severe Storm Conditions

All cruise travelers know that inclement weather can disrupt itineraries, potentially causing last-minute changes. Currently, passengers on Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess are experiencing a delay as the ship has remained in Auckland, New Zealand, for two days longer than planned. The ship’s departure, initially scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025, was supposed to mark the start of a 14-night transpacific repositioning cruise to Honolulu, Hawaii, as it heads toward the Alaska sailing season.

The delay is a result of the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Tam, which has affected New Zealand with significant rain and winds. Originally located 1,100 miles east of Brisbane and 600 miles north-northwest of Auckland, the cyclone has weakened but has still left its mark on the region. Winds measured in Auckland reached 20-30 miles per hour on Wednesday, with gusts nearing 50 miles per hour. The cyclone has caused localized flooding and power outages, affecting thousands of homes.

Due to the adverse weather conditions, the cruise line has decided to postpone the ship’s departure to ensure passenger safety. The Royal Princess was set to dock first in Pago Pago, American Samoa, but this port visit has now been canceled due to the unfavorable sailing conditions that would put the ship directly in the storm’s path.

Nonetheless, the ship’s upcoming scheduled visits to Papeete, Tahiti, on April 23 and Moorea Island on April 24 are still planned for now. However, the cruise line has stated that if conditions do not improve, these ports of call may be adjusted or canceled as needed.

Princess Cruises has confirmed that they expect weather conditions to improve soon, anticipating departure could happen on the afternoon of April 18. They are monitoring the situation closely and will adjust plans according to the latest forecasts.

Passengers will receive refunds for any missed port fees and excursions associated with the canceled visit to Pago Pago, following standard procedure.

As for future sailings, the Royal Princess is still on track to arrive in Honolulu as scheduled on April 30, with the next sailings to Los Angeles and Vancouver expected to proceed without disruption. The ship is also set to begin its Alaska sailing season with a departure on May 17, 2025. After completing its Alaska voyages, it will return to Los Angeles for further itineraries through April 2026.

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