Cruise Lines Cancel All Puerto Vallarta Stops After Violence Erupts
Cruise lines have canceled all scheduled port visits to Puerto Vallarta this week after violence erupted in Mexico’s Jalisco state over the weekend, prompting heightened travel warnings and security concerns.
Three major cruise lines — Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line — confirmed their ships will no longer call on the popular Pacific coast port as authorities respond to unrest in the region.
What Happened in Puerto Vallarta?
Violence broke out across parts of western Mexico after Mexican military forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
In the aftermath, roads were reportedly blockaded with burning vehicles and security operations intensified throughout Jalisco state, which includes Puerto Vallarta. Satellite images and local reports showed vehicles set ablaze along coastal highways.
In response, the U.S. State Department broadened its travel warning and advised Americans in several regions — including Puerto Vallarta — to shelter in place.
While the unrest has not been directed at cruise passengers specifically, cruise lines moved quickly to avoid any potential safety risk.
Which Cruise Ships Were Affected?
Three ships scheduled to visit Puerto Vallarta this week have officially canceled their calls:
- Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line) – February 25, 2026
- Royal Princess (Princess Cruises) – February 23, 2026
- Zuiderdam (Holland America Line) – February 23, 2026
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian confirmed that Norwegian Bliss will skip its February 25 call, citing ongoing security operations and the recent U.S. travel advisory. The company said it is closely monitoring the situation and will notify guests directly of any further itinerary changes.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises canceled Royal Princess’ February 23 stop in Puerto Vallarta. The ship is currently sailing a 7-day roundtrip itinerary from Los Angeles that departed February 21. The line said it is reviewing options for a potential replacement port.
Holland America Line
Holland America also confirmed Zuiderdam will bypass Puerto Vallarta on February 23, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety remains the top priority.
What About Other Cruise Lines?
At this time:
- Carnival Cruise Line has not made changes to its March 3 call to Puerto Vallarta aboard Carnival Panorama.
- No other major cruise lines are scheduled to visit the port in the next two and a half weeks.
- Royal Caribbean has Navigator of the Seas scheduled to call on March 13, but the line does not currently have ships in the immediate affected area.
Elsewhere in Mexico, MSC Cruises confirmed that sailings to Cozumel and Costa Maya are operating as planned, though some shore excursions may be adjusted or canceled depending on local conditions.
Broader Travel Industry Impact
The disruption is not limited to cruise lines.
Airlines have canceled flights in certain regions, and travel companies are scrambling to reroute guests. Airbnb activated its “major disruptive events policy” in Jalisco state and other impacted regions. This allows travelers and hosts to cancel reservations without penalties, overriding standard cancellation rules.
Travel insurance experts are also warning travelers that the violence is now considered a “foreseeable event.” According to industry marketplace Squaremouth, that means new standard policies may not cover trip cancellations related to this situation. However, travelers heading to Mexico in the near future may want to consider “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) or “Interruption For Any Reason” (IFAR) add-ons given the uncertainty.
It’s also worth noting that typical travel insurance policies often exclude coverage for terrorism, political violence, or civil unrest.
What This Means for Cruisers
For passengers currently onboard, itinerary adjustments are likely being communicated directly by each cruise line. In most cases, cruise lines will substitute an alternative port or provide additional time at sea.
For those with upcoming sailings that include Puerto Vallarta, the situation remains fluid. Cruise lines continue to monitor security updates and will only resume visits when they determine it is safe to do so.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular ports on Mexican Riviera itineraries, particularly for sailings out of Los Angeles and Long Beach. While this week’s cancellations are limited, further changes could follow depending on how quickly stability returns to the region.
As always, safety comes first — and cruise lines are making decisions accordingly.
We’ll continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
