Why Did Cruise Ships Stop Going to Mazatlan?

By Alice Nichols

Cruise ships have been a popular mode of travel for tourists looking to explore different parts of the world. However, in recent years, one popular destination, Mazatlan, has seen a decline in cruise ship visits. This begs the question – why did cruise ships stop going to Mazatlan?

Background

Mazatlan is a city located in the state of Sinaloa on Mexico’s Pacific coast. It is known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant nightlife. The city has been a popular tourist destination for many years, attracting visitors from all over the world.

The Decline of Cruise Ship Visits

In 2011, there was a spike in violence in Mazatlan that caused concern among cruise ship companies and their passengers. The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning advising U. citizens to avoid non-essential travel to certain areas of Mexico due to increased criminal activity.

As a result of this warning and concerns over passenger safety, several major cruise lines suspended their visits to Mazatlan. This caused a significant decline in tourism for the city as cruise ships were an important source of revenue.

Efforts to Improve Safety

Since then, the Mexican government and local authorities have made efforts to improve safety measures in Mazatlan. They have increased police presence and implemented new security measures at tourist destinations such as beaches and shopping areas.

These efforts have paid off as crime rates have decreased significantly since 2011. In fact, according to Mexico News Daily, Sinaloa now has one of the lowest homicide rates among Mexican states.

Cruise Ships Return

Despite these improvements in safety measures, some cruise lines have been slow to return to Mazatlan due to lingering concerns over passenger safety.

However, there are signs that this trend may be changing. Norwegian Cruise Line resumed visits to Mazatlan in 2018, and other major cruise lines such as Carnival and Princess Cruises have also started to include Mazatlan in their itineraries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decline of cruise ship visits to Mazatlan was primarily due to concerns over safety. However, with improvements made by local authorities and a decrease in crime rates, the city is slowly regaining its status as a popular tourist destination among cruise lines. As safety concerns continue to be addressed, it is likely that more cruise lines will once again include Mazatlan in their itineraries.