Anyone else concerned about stopping in Mexico?

[MaryKLady]

DH and I were discussing the violence in Mexico and it got me thinking...should I be worried about stopping in Cozumel on our cruse? I've already decided we're not getting off the boat there, DH can scuba dive somewhere else.

Is anyone else concerned?

Sorry, My "search" option is not working so I can't find out if anyone asked this already.

 

[got2travel]

The violence is only happening in the border towns near CA, AZ, TX, etc. Other areas of the country are fine.


We love Cozumel. It's a beautiful island with great beaches. I think you could reconsider staying on the ship. Disney would not put the safety of it's guest in jeopardy. If there was any risk, DCL would make alternate plans.

 

[cats mom]

I believe US and Canada both recently updated their travel advisories to make it clear that not all parts of Mexico pose the same risk. The riskiest areas are definitely along the northern border with the US.

Personally I wouldn't travel to Chihuahua right now, but getting off the ship in Cozumel wouldn't concern me at all. I'm not aware of any reports of drug related violence on the island.

In fact when we cruised a couple of months ago we felt safe enough to take the ferry to the mainland for the day, even though there have been a few isolated incidents in Quintana Roo & Yucatan.

 

[disney1990]

See this from the State Department website.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

 

[cookiebrito]

The cruise industry would never put its passangers at risk. Can you imagine the negative publicity if something was to happen to a tour group?

 

[lucyddr]

We are getting off the ship, but have modified our plans. We planned to do the dune buggies, but they go way out into remote beach areas (BTDT). I just didn't feel totally safe with this, so we are going to Nachi Cocum instead. I figure a huge beach area, people everywhere, more likely safe...

 

[MaryKLady]

The violence is only happening in the border towns near CA, AZ, TX, etc. Other areas of the country are fine.

Good point...I never thought of the geography. Ok, I feel better now, thanks.

 

[trimix]

DH and I were discussing the violence in Mexico and it got me thinking...should I be worried about stopping in Cozumel on our cruse? I've already decided we're not getting off the boat there, DH can scuba dive somewhere else.

Is anyone else concerned?

Sorry, My "search" option is not working so I can't find out if anyone asked this already.

I won't be near Mexico's northern border, I won't be near Mexico's southern border, I won't be anywhere near any of the big drug routes, and I won't be in one of the areas where kidnappings have been happening. Therefore I won't worry any more than when I go to the local mall - which, statistically speaking, is more dangerous than much of Mexico.

 

[3mmm]

We were in Cancun 2 weeks ago. I wasn't concerned at all

 

[WeGoDisney04]

DH and I went on a Carnival Cruise last May to Cozumel and Progresso.We felt totaly safe the whole time. My suggestion is to stay around highly populated tourist areas.

 

[papaof5boys]

I'm sorry but we all need to think about what happens if the US gets more envoled. What do you think that the drug gangs. They have taken on terrorist tactics and will strike any where, the main worrie now is when will it over flow in more of the US, Oklahoma has all ready put the State police on alert, Arkanas is looking at this too. The goverment of Mexico is unable, or unwilling to react.

I worked with the Columbia for 6 years while with the Airforce We helped there goverment with there Drug problem. That is better now , but it has moved north to Mexico.
I would not get off the Ship!! I would not even go to Mexico right now!!
??? what happens if the state dept. post a travel warning for all of Mex. will DCL refund people there money or just go else where.
And does DCL trip ins. cover body bags?

 

[Paula13]

We've decided to maybe just get off & look around at what is right off the ship, then get back on. We aren't going to take a cab any where! I'm way too paranoid! Plus we will have 2 13yo's with us!
Does anyone know if Disney may opt to just not go to Cozumel due to the voilence?

 

[Grandma4ever]

I'm sorry but we all need to think about what happens if the US gets more envoled. What do you think that the drug gangs. They have taken on terrorist tactics and will strike any where, the main worrie now is when will it over flow in more of the US, Oklahoma has all ready put the State police on alert, Arkanas is looking at this too. The goverment of Mexico is unable, or unwilling to react.

I worked with the Columbia for 6 years while with the Airforce We helped there goverment with there Drug problem. That is better now , but it has moved north to Mexico.
I would not get off the Ship!! I would not even go to Mexico right now!!
??? what happens if the state dept. post a travel warning for all of Mex. will DCL refund people there money or just go else where.
And does DCL trip ins. cover body bags?

I do believe that there is an issue now. I would recomend watching the warnings and not allow the fear to take control. I would only do a DCL excursion. Please remember that Cozumel is an Island and less likely to be on a major drug route. Going to the mainland is an increased risk but again if you go with a DCL group you will be safer.

As much as I believe that there is an issue in Mexico now I also trust that DCL will not take us anywhere that there is a large risk of us dying. If it continues to worsen DCL will change the ports they visit. We can all feel safe on a cruise and not feel like we need to stay on board. Why cruise if you are not willing to get off the ship. Just isn't my kind of fun.

 

[lbgraves]

We can all feel safe on a cruise and not feel like we need to stay on board. Why cruise if you are not willing to get off the ship. Just isn't my kind of fun.

You put what I was thinking into words better than I would have.

 

[cmhand30]

We are slightly worried. Drug violence can happen anywhere anytime.
We will keep up on the state dept. warnings and DH will get appropriet security briefings before leaving work. Our cell phones are international roaming capable and we will bring dialing directions with us. If we don't feel safe when we dock, then we will stay on the ship. But will definately stay on main roads in tourist areas.

 

[TheWog]

My BIL is 25 and just returned last weekend from a week in Cancun. He had a great time and said he felt very safe. He was able to go into town and hang out with no issues. He was very concerned and talked to us prior to leaving and we assured him that being vigilant of surroundings and sticking to places where he should be he would be fine. He did all that and was very happy he went. Cozumel is an island and as a result semi-removed from the issues plaguing other areas of the country (primarily border towns, but elsewhere as well). So that gives you a head start right there. I would go and enjoy and bring back great memories.

 

[DisneyMom92]

We were just in Cozumel Wednesday. My daughter and I went off ship; son and sister stayed on. this is our 3rd trip to Cozumel via DCL so they weren't really excited to be there. Daughter and I wanted to purchase jewelry (see my trip report for more). We felt totally safe. In fact, my daughter is a 3rd year Spanish student and they are required to translate or synopsize a news report from a Hispanic country every week. Most of what she finds is from Mexico. She stated at breakfast that day that she was somewhat worried because of all of the drug violence. I told her we would be careful.

We mostly stayed near port, because that's where the jewelry designer was, but we did see most of the street that runs parallel to the ocean as we walked searching for a Spanish language newspaper. We went off that street a little, but not much. However, we felt totally safe. There is a pretty active police presence in the tourist area. It's not an obnoxious presence where you feel that something is about to happen, but they are there if you look for them. Cozumel's main income is from tourism. They are doing their best not to allow that to be compromised.

Of course, violence can happen anywhere at any time. It's best to practice caution when you venture out anywhere, in the States or outside. However, I didn't feel any more uncomfortable in Cozumel this time as any of the previous two trips to Cozumel.

Hope this helps.

 

[wwwosie]

My cousins live in Nogales, Sonora, which is in the border with the U.S. I was on line with one of them last night and asked how things really are over there. She said that life is normal. I asked if they were worried about kidnappings and she said "Unless you are Carlos Slim Helu, they aren't going to go after you". MOst of the kidnappings involve people who "owe money" for shady operations.
We plan to get off in Cozumel, but probably won't do much beyond visiting the area that faces the water. My DH and DS will probably not dive there, not for safety concerns but because it's mostly reef diving and my DS is not that experienced yet. Since he will turn 18 when we sail I promised him he could have ONE legal beer in Mexico to celebrate. DH is thinking about finding a good Cuban cigar - don't worry he won't bring it back on the ship
As far as taking a TAXI anywhere, I'll give you the same advise anyone in Mexico follows: use a Taxi from a stand (SITIO), don't flag or get into a taxi that stops to pick you up. Ask about the price before you get on and then enjoy!

If you walk around in the main tourist areas you will be fine.

 

[wwwosie]

We are slightly worried. Drug violence can happen anywhere anytime.
We will keep up on the state dept. warnings and DH will get appropriet security briefings before leaving work. Our cell phones are international roaming capable and we will bring dialing directions with us. If we don't feel safe when we dock, then we will stay on the ship. But will definately stay on main roads in tourist areas.

About your cell phone: one suggestion is to program the number to call the states before you leave that way it's just a one button operation. I think it's 01 area code number, but I am not sure.
Also, I am not sure if this is still true or not but Mexico has a couple of different carriers, don't be surprised if your phone shows a different carrier when you cross the street.

See you on the ship!

 

[kjd469]

And now a perspective from someone who lives in Mexico and hears about everything that goes on in our Country day after day. Get off the ship, enjoy your day, take a certified taxi, go on an excursion, go shopping, have fun...the chances of anything happening to you are the same as they would be in any random act of violence in any city in any country, in fact Cozumel is much safer than many of the large U.S. cities! Yes there is violence in Mexico due to the drug cartels - most of this violence is occuring in the North along the borders...the average person, minding their own business, not going into places they shouldn't, or looking for trouble will be perfectly fine. We are Canadian, and moved here 2 years ago...we have 3 teenagers, 14, 15 and 19...we have never once felt unsafe or threatened here, and in fact would not have moved our family here if we felt we were in danger. We use common sense, which is a requirement for anyone, regardless of where you live. Remember that the Media loves to sensationalize everything....and I'm not denying the fact that there is a problem....but ship passengers stopping in Cozumel are in no danger - really!!