The Royal-Princess: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

Recent violence following the assassination of a cartel leader has led several cruise lines to adjust their itineraries, resulting in the cancellation of visits to Puerto Vallarta. Notable vessels such as the 'Norwegian Bliss', 'Royal Princess', and 'Zuiderdam' have opted to skip their planned calls. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has issued a shelter-in-place order due to escalating tensions in the region. The 'Norwegian Bliss' had its planned stop last week but continues to keep a close watch on developments, with its next Puerto Vallarta call now scheduled for March 4, 2026. Similarly, the 'Zuiderdam' canceled its visit on February 23, while the 'Royal Princess' made alternative arrangements, opting to spend an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas and scheduling a stop in Mazatlán on February 25. Other cruise vessels were set to visit Puerto Vallarta in early March, although cruise operators have yet to announce any confirmed changes to their routes. In a positive update, the Jalisco state government declared on February 24 that 'order and stability have been restored' in both Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, potentially paving the way for a return to normalcy.

The Jiang family, including 8-year-old Daniel, has returned to their adventure on board the 'Royal Princess' following a medical emergency that required urgent care. While enjoying a two-week voyage from Vancouver to Hawaii, Daniel began experiencing severe abdominal pain. As his condition deteriorated, medical evaluation revealed acute appendicitis, necessitating immediate surgical intervention. On September 28, amidst foggy conditions that complicated navigation, the U.S. Coast Guard was summoned to rescue Daniel and his family, airlifting them to a nearby hospital for the required appendectomy. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and Daniel was soon given the green light to resume the cruise. Returning to Los Angeles marked not just a chance for the family to continue their holiday but also a joyful coincidence, as it was Daniel’s birthday. With spirits high, Daniel, along with his mother and brother, reboarded the 'Royal Princess' to enthusiastic cheers and warm greetings from the ship's crew, ready to embrace the remainder of their Hawaii trip. This remarkable story serves as a reminder of the resilience of families and the dedication of maritime safety teams during emergencies at sea.

On September 25, 2024, a dramatic medical evacuation unfolded about 20 miles west of Eureka when an 8-year-old boy aboard the cruise ship 'Royal Princess' was diagnosed with appendicitis. The US Coast Guard received an urgent request from the 'Royal Princess' through Sector Columbia River around 7 a.m. Alarmed by the situation, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay sprang into action, coordinating the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter. By 8 a.m., the helicopter was airborne, swiftly making its way to the scene. Upon arrival, the aircrew successfully hoisted the young patient and his family on board. The boy was subsequently airlifted to emergency medical personnel at Saint Joseph Hospital in Eureka, where he arrived by approximately 9:40 a.m. This operation highlights the critical role of the Coast Guard in responding to medical emergencies at sea. For further details and to view the accompanying video report, visit the Coast Guard's official news page: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3916380/coast-guard-medevacs-8-year-old-boy-from-cruise-ship-near-eureka/

In a swift response to a medical emergency, a US Coast Guard aircrew successfully medevaced a passenger from the cruise liner 'Royal Princess' near Cape Ommaney, Alaska, on the evening of May 31, 2023. The situation unfolded when Coast Guard watchstanders in Juneau received an urgent medevac request at 8:52 p.m., as the cruise ship reported that a 57-year-old passenger was suffering from serious medical complications. An experienced aircrew from Air Station Sitka, utilizing an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, arrived at the scene at 11:14 p.m. They executed a careful hoist operation, extracting the gentleman and promptly transporting him to emergency medical services (EMS) in Sitka. During the operation, the weather conditions included 5-mile visibility, winds gusting at 15 mph, and moderate 3-foot seas, presenting a challenging but manageable environment for the rescue effort.