The Royal-Princess: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

**Title: Cruise Ships Reroute Away from Puerto Vallarta Following Violent Cartel Incident** In light of recent violence stemming from the death of a cartel leader, several cruise ships have altered their itineraries, bypassing Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Among the ships affected are the 'Norwegian Bliss,' 'Royal Princess,' and 'Zuiderdam.' These vessels made the decision to forgo their scheduled stops amid safety concerns and the subsequent shelter-in-place directive issued by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. The 'Norwegian Bliss' had initially planned its stop for last week and continues to monitor the evolving situation, with its next potential visit to Puerto Vallarta slated for March 4, 2026. Similarly, the 'Zuiderdam' canceled its visit on February 23, while the 'Royal Princess' opted for an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas, proceeding to Mazatlán on February 25 instead. While several other ships were scheduled to dock in Puerto Vallarta during the first week of March, cruise lines have yet to finalize any new plans. However, the Jalisco state government announced on February 24 that "order and stability have been restored" in both Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, potentially paving the way for normal maritime operations to resume. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops and cruise lines reassess their routes to this popular destination.

The family of the 8-year-old Daniel Jiang, who was airlifted from the 'Royal Princess' due to a medical emergency was able to resume their family vacation when their ship docked in Los Angeles. The boy was on a two-week trip from Vancouver to Hawaii with his mother and brother when he began to feel sick. As the boy’s condition worsened, it was eventually discovered he was suffering from appendicitis which would require emergency surgery. Far from their next stop and with foggy conditions proving to be challenging for the crew of the Royal Princess, the U.S. Coast Guard was called to the scene to airlift Daniel and his family to a hospital so he could undergo emergency appendix surgery, which was a success and on Sep 28, after he was given the medical “all-clear,” he and his brother and mother were able to continue their cruise to Hawaii by re-boarding the 'Royal Princess' in Los Angeles. Coincidentally, the resumption of their cruise also coincided with Daniel’s birthday. The family was “greeted with an outpouring of excitement and warm wishes from the crew” when they stepped back onto the cruise ship.

A US Coast Guard helicopter aircrew medically evacuated an 8-year-old boy from the 'Royal Princess' approximately 20 miles west of Eureka on Sep 25, 2024. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders received notification at approximately 7 a.m. from Sector Columbia River relaying a request from the 'Royal Princess', stating that the boy was diagnosed with appendicitis and needed to be medevaced. Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders then coordinated the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter around 8 a.m. The helicopter arrived on-scene, hoisted the boy along with his family aboard and transferred him to emergency medical services at Saint Joseph Hospital in Eureka around 9:40 a.m. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3916380/coast-guard-medevacs-8-year-old-boy-from-cruise-ship-near-eureka/

A US Coast Guard aircrew medevaced apassenger of the 'Royal Princess' in Cape Ommaney, Alaska, in the evening of May 31, 2023. Coast Guard watchstanders in Juneau received the initial medevac request from the cruise ship at 8:52 p.m., reporting that the passenger was experiencing medical complications. An Air Station Sitka aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter arrived on scene at 11:14 p.m., hoisted the 57-year-old man, and transported him to awaiting EMS in Sitka. On-scene conditions at the time of the medevac included 5-mile visibility, winds at 15 mph and 3-foot seas.