Four cruise ships – Royal Princess, Holland American’s Zuiderdam, Carnival Panorama and Norwegian Bliss – have skipped five planned stops in the coastal resort city of Puerto Vallarta in western Mexico since 22 February after violence and chaos erupted in several coastal regions in the country following the killing of a cartel leader last month.
These five cancelled calls which were to bring over 15,000 passengers to the port, represent an estimated US$9-14 million in lost local economic activity – restaurant meals, taxi rides, market purchases, excursion bookings with local guides, and retail sales, as reported by Travel Tourister.
The US Embassy’s shelter-in-place order across 14 Mexican states had been lifted on 25 February. Flights at Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara were halted briefly. Now, Puerto Vallarta’s airports, hotels, restaurants, and taxi services are operating normally. Local authorities report no ongoing security disruptions.
But cruise lines are taking extra precautions. This has evolved into a multi-week operational suspension affecting cruise calls through to at least mid-March. With more than 10 ships with a capacity of over 44,000 passengers scheduled to visit Puerto Vallarta between now and March 18, this disruption window is far from over.
Puerto Vallarta calls remain subject to individual security assessments. The rest of the Mexican Riviera — Cabo, Mazatlán, La Paz, Ensenada — is operating normally and is not under any elevated security review.
Carnival Corporation
All Carnival brands which include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America are skipping Puerto Vallarta through 12 March. Guests who booked Puerto Vallarta shore excursions through Carnival will be received automatic refunds
In official statement issued by Carnival Corporation, the company said, “Our team has been closely monitoring the situation in Mexico and while the cruise industry has largely sailed itineraries as planned this week, Carnival Corporation has made the decision to wait a few weeks before returning to Puerto Vallarta.”
Carnival Panorama’s 1 March Mexican Riviera cruise which departed from Long Beach, California, added an additional hour in Cabo San Lucas and half an hour in Mazatlan converted the final port day into a sea day.
Upcoming cruises include those on Island Princess, Royal Princess and Ruby Princess from 10 to 12 March and a decision whether to bypass Puerto Vallarta, has yet to be made but cancellations are highly likely.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Bliss has cancelled its plans to call on Puerto Vallarta this week and has not made announcements on its 11 March sailing.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises said sailings to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, are currently operating as planned, but that shore excursions may be adjusted or cancelled.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has not issued any blanket suspension announcement like Carnival Corporation. If Navigator of the Seas proceeds to visit Puerto Vallarta on 13 March, it will be the first major cruise line to return to Puerto Vallarta — potentially signalling the end of the disruption window.
Photo Credit: Carlos O. Flores / Shutterstock.com
