Marine warnings around Japan at 11:35am JST on 5 October 2026.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (jma.go.jp)
Carnival Luminosa passengers have lost yet another port from their heavily disrupted Transpacific cruise after conditions prevented the ship from docking in Kochi on Monday morning.
The replacement Kochi visit had been organised at short notice after severe weather forced Carnival Cruise Line to abandon much of the ship's original Japanese itinerary.
Everything appeared ready for Luminosa's arrival, with passengers reporting shuttle buses, tents and signage set up ashore.
But despite reaching Kochi, passengers onboard were advised that strong undertow currents prevented the ship from safely docking.
The call was subsequently abandoned.
Carnival has now revised the itinerary yet again, with passengers advised that Luminosa will visit Kagoshima on Tuesday, followed by Beppu on Wednesday.
A final sea day is scheduled for Thursday before the cruise ends in Tokyo on Friday, 9 October.
For passengers who have already spent an extraordinary amount of this cruise at sea, it's another frustrating change in what has become a very different Transpacific crossing from the one they originally booked.
Kochi was ready for Carnival Luminosa
Unlike some of the earlier cancellations on this cruise, Kochi wasn't removed from the itinerary days in advance.
The port had prepared for Luminosa's arrival.
Kochi Prefecture's official cruise schedule was updated on 2 October to add Carnival Luminosa as an emergency weather-related call on Monday, 5 October.
The ship was scheduled to arrive at 8am and depart at 5pm, with Kobe listed as its previous port and Kagoshima as its next destination.
Passengers onboard also reported seeing preparations ashore, including shuttle buses, tents and signs ready for the expected visitors.
But Luminosa was ultimately unable to dock.
Passengers were advised that strong undertow currents made the manoeuvre unsafe and the visit was cancelled.
Panoramic view of the city from the top floor of Kochi castleKagoshima and Beppu now added
Following the failed Kochi call, passengers have been advised of another revised itinerary for the final days of the cruise.
Luminosa is now scheduled to visit Kagoshima on Tuesday, 6 October, followed by Beppu on Wednesday, 7 October.
Thursday, 8 October will be spent at sea before the ship reaches Tokyo on Friday morning.
Kagoshima had already appeared as Luminosa's next destination on Kochi Prefecture's official port schedule before Monday's attempted call.
The Beppu visit is another addition to the rapidly changing itinerary and has been communicated to passengers onboard.
Beppu is one of Japan's best-known hot spring destinations.
Just two successful port calls in 16 days
The scale of the disruption becomes clearer when looking at how little time passengers have actually spent ashore.
Luminosa departed San Francisco on 20 September.
The first scheduled stop was Ketchikan, Alaska, on 23 September.
But deteriorating weather then caused Carnival to cancel Icy Strait Point and scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier before the ship began its long Pacific crossing.
Japan was originally supposed to bring a succession of port days after that lengthy stretch at sea.
The original itinerary included Otaru on 3 October, Aomori on 4 October, Shimizu on 6 October and Kobe on 7 October before arriving in Tokyo on 9 October.
Those plans were subsequently abandoned as severe weather affected northern Japan.
Instead, Carnival arranged a replacement call at Kobe on Sunday, 4 October, followed by Kochi on Monday 5 October.
Kobe went ahead successfully.
Kochi did not.
That meant that by the end of Monday, passengers had spent 16 days aboard Carnival Luminosa with only two successful port calls: Ketchikan and Kobe.
For anyone who loves sea days, this cruise has certainly delivered.
Perhaps a few more than they bargained for.
Carnival has been rebuilding the itinerary as conditions change
The latest disruption comes after Carnival had already undertaken significant work to secure replacement Japanese ports.
Passengers were previously advised that the cruise line was working with local authorities and port operators to arrange alternative calls following the loss of the original northern Japan itinerary.
Kobe and Kochi were among those replacement ports.
Now, after Kochi proved impossible, Kagoshima and Beppu have been added to give passengers two more opportunities to go ashore before Tokyo.
Securing replacement berths at short notice isn't necessarily straightforward. Cruise ports need available berth space, local authorities and immigration arrangements, ground transport and other infrastructure to accommodate thousands of passengers arriving at once.
The fact that Kochi had already organised shoreside facilities before conditions prevented the ship docking illustrates just how quickly circumstances have been changing.
Image: Carnival Cruise Line
Severe weather continues around Japan
Japan has been dealing with unsettled marine conditions as powerful Typhoon Choi-wan remains offshore in the western Pacific.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has continued to issue marine forecasts and warnings covering strong winds, waves and swell in affected waters.
However, there has been no confirmation that Typhoon Choi-wan itself was directly responsible for Luminosa being unable to dock in Kochi.
Passengers onboard were advised that strong undertow currents prevented Monday's docking attempt.
Cruise ships can miss ports even when conditions on land appear relatively calm. Wind, swell and currents around a harbour can make manoeuvring a large vessel alongside unsafe, particularly when conditions affect the ship's ability to maintain its position during docking.
Two more chances to get ashore
After weeks of weather-related changes, passengers will now be hoping Kagoshima and Beppu finally give them the consecutive port days they've been waiting for.
If the revised itinerary proceeds as planned, Luminosa will visit Kagoshima on Tuesday and Beppu on Wednesday before beginning the final journey towards Tokyo.
The ship is due to arrive in Tokyo on Friday, 9 October, where this Transpacific cruise ends and Luminosa begins its next 14-night voyage to Singapore.
After 16 days and only two successful port calls so far, passengers could probably be forgiven for approaching tomorrow morning's arrival in Kagoshima with their fingers firmly crossed.
