Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises Cancel All Stops to This Popular Destination Over Safety

Cruise passengers heading to Mexico’s Pacific coast will be sailing past Puerto Vallarta as several major cruise lines adjust itineraries in response to recent safety concerns.

Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises began rerouting ships following the killing of a major cartel leader on Feb. 22, a Carnival Corporation spokesperson confirmed to Travel + Leisure. These changes affect sailings aboard the Carnival Panorama, the Holland America Zuiderdam, the Royal Princess, the Island Princess, and the Ruby Princess.

“Our team has been monitoring things in Mexico throughout the week, and cruise tourism has continued to operate normally across most of the country,” the spokesperson told T+L. “That said, we’ve made the decision to shift itineraries on a handful of sailings to bypass Puerto Vallarta for the next few weeks.”

Puerto Vallarta is a longtime staple on Mexican Riviera cruise itineraries, known for its lively beaches, vibrant downtown, and easy access to excursions ranging from snorkeling to jungle tours. The port frequently appears on sailings departing from Los Angeles and San Diego.

Cruise routes remain largely unchanged across the rest of Mexico. Passengers aboard affected vessels are instead enjoying an added sea day or spending additional time in Cabo San Lucas, according to Seatrade Cruise News.

Following the cartel incident, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico lifted temporary restrictions on United States government staff in the country, but the Department of State still lists Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located, under its Level 3 security warning, stating Americans should “reconsider travel” there.

Mexico as a whole is currently designated under the State Department’s second-lowest Level 2 travel advisory, telling American travelers to “exercise increased caution,” due to potential crime, kidnapping, and terrorism risk factors. 

Advisory levels in Mexico vary by state, with some regions listed under the lowest Level 1 warning and others listed at the highest Level 4 warning, which advises tourists “do not travel” to the region at all. The State Department noted the U.S. government has limited ability to provide assistance to citizens in certain areas of Mexico.

In the cruise industry, localized security incidents may occasionally impact specific ports or sailings around the world. However, Mexico remains one of the world’s most popular cruise and vacation destinations. As a result of its popularity, Mexico started imposing a $5 per guest fee for cruise passengers last year with plans to increase it in the coming years.