With all the cartel violence that ripped through Mexico after the killing of drug loard leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”) that affected several tourists, one may reasonably ask if cruise ships are still going to Mexico.
The answer is yes. So if you have booked one or are thinking about booking a cruise to Mexico, you’re fine. You may just not go where you saw on a brochure, on FB post or a cruise line’s website. Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are avoiding Puerto Vallarta and going to other ports. Some places, most notably in Baja Mexico, are unaffected. And the tourism boards there want you to know it. In fact, the Cabo Instagram page posted a video on Monday after the Sunday incident with the caption stating: “Everything is operating normally.”
James Hills, who has been going to Mexico and cruises for 20 years, stated on his website CruiseWestCoast.com, that “the critical context here: other Mexican Riviera ports – Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Ensenada, and the entire Yucatan Peninsula including Cozumel – remain unaffected and continue operating normally. The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) – the trade organization representing 23 member cruise lines operating in the region – stated that more than 95% of cruise tourism in Mexico is currently running as planned. Puerto Vallarta accounts for roughly 5% of cruise passenger capacity in the country.”
He added that “ships that would have visited Puerto Vallarta are being rerouted to extended time in Cabo, additional stops in Mazatlan, or extra sea days. It’s not ideal for travelers who specifically wanted Puerto Vallarta, but itineraries aren’t being scrapped entirely.”
Shall you book a cruise to Mexico right now? Heather Hills, who runs Flow Voyages, has spent the past week fielding calls, not from people asking “how much can you save me?” but from travelers genuinely needing guidance. Can I get a refund on my independently booked shore excursion in Puerto Vallarta? What are my options if my cruise reroutes to Ensenada instead? Should I cancel entirely, or is the rest of the itinerary still solid?
And James Hills offered this nugget for cruise travelers seeking deals. “If there’s a silver lining in all of this,” he stated, “the perception damage from burning bus photos and AI-generated hysteria will likely soften demand for Mexican Riviera cruises for the rest of the year. If you’re comfortable with the region and willing to keep an eye on developments, there may be some genuinely good deals ahead on Pacific coast sailings.”
Is Spring Break Safe In Mexico?
Now when it comes to Spring Break in Mexico, it depends on where you go for it.
The U.S. and Canada have lifted the “shelter in place” advisories they briefly issued for their citizens in parts of western Mexico, including the cities of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco state, where the former cartel kingpin Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” was based. The U.S. State Department and Global Affairs Canada are recommending that travelers exercise caution, stay aware of local conditions and monitor updates before and during travel. The State Department warns against any travel to six Mexican states, and urges travelers to reconsider visiting seven other states including Jalisco.
The Newport To Ensenada Sailboat Race Is Not Canceled
To address questions and concerns about status of the annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race – a premier event for Southern California sailboat owners and thier social-minded crews Joe Negron, the event’s Commodore posted this statement on its Facebook page:
“In light of recent events in parts of Mexico and the cancellation of the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta race, we have received several inquiries regarding the status of the Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race scheduled for April 24-26.
“We want to state clearly: The Newport to Ensenada Race has not been canceled. NOSA leadership is actively monitoring the situation in Ensenada through reliable local contacts and official channels. Based on current, verified information, there have been no reported incidents in Ensenada affecting the race venue, harbor, or downtown areas.
“Maritime and tourism operations in the region continue as normal. Cruise ships are actively arriving at the Port of Ensenada, docking at Cruiseport Village, and passengers are disembarking and visiting downtown businesses without interruption. Major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, continue to operate their regularly scheduled routes between the Long Beach/Los Angeles area and Ensenada.
We remain in close communication with our local partners and authorities and will provide timely updates should conditions change. At this time, preparations for the race and associated events are proceeding as planned.
“The safety of our racers, volunteers, sponsors, and guests remains our highest priority. We are committed to transparent communication and responsible decision-making based on facts, not rumors.
We appreciate the support of our sailing community and encourage participants to rely on official NOSA communications for accurate information.”
Leave a Reply