Travel Warning

[hardel]

just heard on ABC news that a Do Not Travel warning has been ussued for Sinaloa, Mexico. Mazatlan is in Sinaloa, I wonder if this will affect cruises there...:(

[lcpagejr]

Doesn't surprise me...Seems like there has been alot more violence on Mexico's west coast areas for many years....

[riclop]

I will stay on the ship.

[riffatsea]

I would like to remind people that these travel warnings have been on and off and on and off many times! During all those times when cruisers worried about the warnings folks from Canada and the USA were visiting Mexico on land and staying for the whole winter!

IF the cruise lines go back to skipping Mazatlan I feel sorry for those volunteer American and Canadians who set up the blue line there and stand on it to guide cruisers into town so that they feel safe. It is just sad.

[SadieN]

I would like to remind people that these travel warnings have been on and off and on and off many times! During all those times when cruisers worried about the warnings folks from Canada and the USA were visiting Mexico on land and staying for the whole winter!

 

IF the cruise lines go back to skipping Mazatlan I feel sorry for those volunteer American and Canadians who set up the blue line there and stand on it to guide cruisers into town so that they feel safe. It is just sad.

 

 

 

 

That like saying there’s problems in California. Have an idea where you’re going and don’t have Tourist Brain.

Was just in Mazatlan just after Thanksgiving. You’ll be happy to know they’ve repainted the line!

Going again in February and March.

[Djptcp]

What a sad situation. We spent a week in Mazatlán in 1994 and it was a great time never fearing for our safety. I have heard that the province has become a drug capital and very dangerous. I would guess that going on a ship-sponsored excursion would be okay, but I probably wouldn't venture out alone. DH and I are going on a Holland American cruise in Nov. that stops in Guatemala and we are encouraged not to go beyond the pier building unless on a excursion. Why stop there if it is so dangerous? I'll stay on board, but DH will at least get off to go to the port building.

[wenny101]

I just got back from Mexico over Thanksgiving on a land Vacation in a house where the locals live,we do this every year. Never had any problems. My family rents a house in Mazatlan and never has had any issues. You obviously have to be careful just because you’re a tourist but it’s just like you would be cautious in your own country. Mexico is a beautiful country with many amazing people.

[cruzinlisa]

Missouri is on the list of states not to travel to. I live here so I don't think of it as a vacation destination (although some seem to like Branson), I wouldn't advise anyone to stay away- even from St. Louis that likes to flirt with being the murder capital of the U.S. some years. There are some places I would not recommend going to alone at night, but there are places like that in every state in the U.S. and country in the world. Same with Mexico (or Jamaica or Bahamas). Stick to the resort areas, don't go off with shady people and if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

[hardel]

Just remember that the cruise ships stopped going to Mazatlan in 2011 for about 3 years because of the Do Not Travel....just wondering if they would do it again.

We love Mazatlan and have been going there since 1980

First for 2 week vacations at the Playa Mazatlan and then on cruise ships. :cool:

[sdschwrt]

As is often the case with the news media, they do not bother to get all of the facts and thus spread inaccurate information.

 

A new travel advisory for Mexico has been issued on January 10. The first sentence of the advisory states: Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory." The advisory gives the general warning regarding increased risk in Sinaloa and then if one continues to read the specifics for each individual state as the second sentence of the advisory recommends one finds under Sinaloa:

 

"U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel in most areas of the state (Sinaloa). In areas where travel is permitted, the following restrictions are in place:

Mazatlan: U.S. government travel is permitted only in Zona Dorada, the historic town center, and direct routes to and from these locations and the airport or the cruise ship terminal.

When you get the rest of the story it is clear that there has been no change regarding the travel warning for Mazatlan. The tourist areas of Mazatlan are prefectly safe as we have found during two week land trips for the past twenty years. There has been a major increase in crime in the capital of Sinaloa, Cualiacan, which is 100 miles away but this has not impacted the safety of Mazatlan. For those who want to read the complete updated State Department travel advisory for Mexico it can be found at:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html

Do not miss out on an enjoyable experience in Mazatlan due the failure of the media to provide the complete story

[sfaaa]

Just came back from Mexican Riviera cruise last month. Security was less visible and had a lower profile than previous years when I was there. No soldier or policeman brandishing assault rifle or armed to the teeth, just regular sidearm. No navy patrol boat escorting cruise ship in and out of the harbor. In Mazatlan blue zone, police maintained a high visibility but looked relax and rather friendly. Just stick to the tourist areas and you should be fine. I felt safe walking around.

Edited January 11, 2018 by sfaaa

[Cruisefanatic71]

As a person that has lived in other countries as well as visited other countries at times where there were travel warnings issued I can say that these warnings are for your information so you can remain vigilant while in a foreign country. Always be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are. My wife gets mad at me because I am always looking around and assessing the surroundings to ensure I have an exit if something was to happen I still enjoy my time in port but I am always aware of my environment I am in.

[rudys119]

I am supposed to hit Mazatlan on a cruise on Feb 6, think the cruise line might skip that port? I sure hope not! :(

[no1racefan1]

We're scheduled to stop in Mazatlan mid-February; this is the port I'm most looking forward to!

 

Not trying to be an alarmist or anything but trying to be knowledgeable and make the best decision--we have the Nature Reserve/Turtle Sanctuary excursion booked through Carnival. I believe this is located at Estrella del Mar. Not sure how far that is from the ship. Says about 45 minutes.

 

Should we re-book a different activity that stays closer to the ship/tourist area? Does anybody know how the drive is? We will of course be cautious and only carry what we need.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for sharing this.

 

Keith