Royal Caribbean Cancels Manzanillo Stops

The United States has issued fresh travel recommendations for cruise lines calling in two Mexican ports that are considered too risky due to an increase in crime and kidnappings, as cartel-related criminality continues to spread throughout Mexico.

The US Department of State website lists all 31 Mexican entities, including Mexico City, under some kind of travel warning. Thirteen Mexican states, including Sinaloa, are deemed dangerous for tourists because of high rates of crime and homicide, even though more than half are classified as Level 1 and Level 2 warnings.

Colima, a small state on Mexico’s Pacific coast, is currently considered a ‘Dot Not Travel’ by the State Department.

Puerto Chiapas was founded in 1975. It is the southernmost port on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The National Public Security System (SESNSP) reports that 623 deliberate murders took place in Colima this year between January and October.

As 2024 draws to a close, Colima’s murder rate is nearly five times higher than Mexico’s national average, which stands at 22 per 100,000.

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Manzanillo Port is Under a Level 4 Advisory

The State Department has issued a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for the port of Manzanillo and the central city in the state, citing high murder rates and other criminal activities.

Even though Royal Caribbean still lists the port on its website, this move has compelled cruise lines to stop at Manzanillo no more.

The agency wrote, “Gang activity and violent crime are widespread.” Targeted murders against members of criminal groups account for the majority of homicides.

Bystanders have been killed or wounded in shooting events between criminal groups. LPRs and US civilians have been abducted,” the threat continued.

The travel alert included an exception for Manzanillo’s cruise port area, despite the guidelines. This allowed travel to the port region. The US government has restricted employee travel to Manzanillo’s tourist and port areas. This limitation was clearly stated. US government employees are not permitted to visit other parts of Colima state.

Carnival-owned Princess Cruises still has ships scheduled to call at Manzanillo in January and February of next year, despite Royal Caribbean ceasing to do so.

Puerto Chiapas is Under a Level 3 Alert

Puerto Chiapas was founded in 1975. It is the southernmost port on Mexico’s Pacific coast. It is situated less than 40 miles from the border between Mexico and Guatemala in Chiapas.

Because of the state’s rising crime rates, the State Department has issued a Level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel’ warning for Puerto Chiapas, well-known for its agricultural products like coffee.

Only Princess has cruises scheduled to stop in Puerto Chiapas, although Norwegian, Holland America and Princess cruises typically sail there.

All of the Princess cruise ships scheduled to make port calls are longer cruises for which the cruise company has not canceled the port call.