PUERTO VALLARTA, Jalisco — Carnival Cruise Line said it is making changes on several ships to avoid Puerto Vallarta for the next few weeks following cartel violence and security concerns.
The warning follows widespread violence in Mexico involving the killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during a military operation Sunday in the state of Jalisco, according to Mexico’s Defense Department.
In a statement, Carnival told KHOU 11 that it has been monitoring conditions in Mexico throughout the week.
“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 company said. “That said, we’ve made the decision to shift itineraries on a handful of sailings to bypass Puerto Vallarta for the next few weeks.”
The itinerary adjustments affect sailings aboard the Carnival Panorama, Zuiderdam, Royal Princess, Island Princess and Ruby Princess.
Carnival said guests and travel advisers affected by the changes are being notified directly. Carnival did not specify alternative destinations.
Customers sailing from Los Angeles can still buy tickets for cruises with Puerto Vallarta a destination. The earliest available trip would be March 14-22.
Because Carnival also owns Princess Cruises and Holland America, they were also impacted, according to Chron.com. Norwegian Cruise Line also canceled visits to Puerto Vallarta, according to TravelHost.
Cervantes’ death sparked several days of violence where cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states and authorities report that at least 70 people died.
Carnival reroutes cruise ships from Puerto Vallarta amid cartel violence concerns
