Skipping Mexico stops?

[twinsouvenirs]

I know this is a little early to freak out but are you all changing plans about disembarking in Mexico due to the political tensions? We were thinking about skipping the Cozumel disembarkation if things are not significantly better.

 

[dclpluto]

I know this is a little early to freak out but are you all changing plans about disembarking in Mexico due to the political tensions? We were thinking about skipping the Cozumel disembarkation if things are not significantly better.

If unsafe DCL will not stop there. Of course anywhere you could get killed at or rape etc . even the safest port you can think of. But use common sense. DCL has took out ports before that they thought were unsafe.

 

[braysmommy]

Wouldn't bother me.

 

[Michael2013]

We are going to be there next week and I have no intention of changing our plans to go to the beach. If there were to be some sort of notice from the State Dept or even DCL or if there were reports of riots toward cruise passengers then I would look at the situation in whole and decide.

 

[Dug720]

As long as the issues stay between the leaders, I don't think the people are in danger from each other. At this point, it's just if "executive orders" start getting thrown around closing tourism.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Definitely not trying to get political--I just know that some cruisers have been affected by the EO already. I think I'll just keep an eye on it and not put down any money for a Cozumel excursion yet.

 

[MUN]

Definitely not trying to get political--I just know that some cruisers have been affected by the EO already.

Please share with us what has happened.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I think I'll just keep an eye on it and not put down any money for a Cozumel excursion yet.

For the DCL excursions, you don't actually "put any money down" until 3 days before the cruise. With private vendors, that may be different, but most have cancellation policies, or you can add it to your trip insurance. I think there is a bigger change that excursions you want to do will no longer be available, than the chance that it will be unsafe to go ashore in Mexico.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Please share with us what has happened.

Not sure if I am allowed to post links, but some people have been detained at disembarkation because of the EO. Although I don't think, based on citizenship, I am affected by this EO, I am just concerned about the news about Mexico - US relations since it seems that our international relationships are in flux right now, and essentially cruises are international trips...

Excerpt below from http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7498 By Chris Gray Faust, Senior Editor

1/30/17 (12:25 p.m. EST) -- Because President Trump's executive order on travel affecting immigrants extends to ports as well as airports, cruise passengers might find themselves caught up in some of the consequences.

The Miami Herald reported an Iranian chemical engineer returning on Allure of Seas from Mexico to Port Everglades was detained by U.S. Customs officials for several hours Sunday. Florida TV station WFTV also reported customs officials detained seven people, including a Jewish refugee from Syria who has resided in the country for 20 years and her three children, who are U.S. citizens.

Lots more in the article including suggestions for travelers.

 

[perditax]

While I'm extremely concerned about the current state of politics--and I admittedly have to bury my head in the sand more days than not--I think Cozumel would be the last MX port I would worry about. It's a small island with an almost entirely tourism-driven economy. Not entirely sure what form 'trouble' would take there.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I just got back from our stay in Cozumel. We were gone the month of January. Nothing has changed. No one treats you differently. I even venture out back in the neighborhoods because we have local friends that live there. I am a redhead that stands out like a sore thumb. Personally, if I were you, I would not hesitate to enjoy Cozumel.

 

[MUN]

Not sure if I am allowed to post links, but some people have been detained at disembarkation because of the EO. Although I don't think, based on citizenship, I am affected by this EO, I am just concerned about the news about Mexico - US relations since it seems that our international relationships are in flux right now, and essentially cruises are international trips...

Excerpt below from http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7498 By Chris Gray Faust, Senior Editor

1/30/17 (12:25 p.m. EST) -- Because President Trump's executive order on travel affecting immigrants extends to ports as well as airports, cruise passengers might find themselves caught up in some of the consequences.

The Miami Herald reported an Iranian chemical engineer returning on Allure of Seas from Mexico to Port Everglades was detained by U.S. Customs officials for several hours Sunday. Florida TV station WFTV also reported customs officials detained seven people, including a Jewish refugee from Syria who has resided in the country for 20 years and her three children, who are U.S. citizens.

Lots more in the article including suggestions for travelers.

Oh I thought you had instances of foreigners targeting Americans in retaliation of the recent presidential executive order. These people from the stories appear to be from the groups targeted by the executive order. Yes, for them, this is an awful time to be traveling. But unless your in that group, Cozumel should be fine, as it always has been. If you are in that group, well that really sucks!

Enjoy your cruise!

MUN

 

[keaster]

As another posted mentioned if it is deemed too dangerous DCL will skip the stop. Happened to us on our Mexican cruise in 2011...a few weeks before we were notified Mazatlan was cancelled because of the unrest so we did two stops at Pueta Vallarta.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Obviously if you're from one of those countries that have been hostile and are hotbeds for terrorist activity and you are not a US citizen, you may have an issue. If you're a US citizen you're not going to have a problem unless you've committed a crime. If none of that applies to you, bon voyage and enjoy your cruise.

 

[bbel]

I've been on a cruise where the decision was made the day before not to stop at a port due to political unrest. So even if it's done last minute, if DCL think there is any chance of danger they wont stop there.

 

[PirateFrank]

We are going to be there next week and I have no intention of changing our plans to go to the beach. If there were to be some sort of notice from the State Dept or even DCL or if there were reports of riots toward cruise passengers then I would look at the situation in whole and decide.

Not looking to alarm people, but I want to offer a minor correction. There has been an active state dept warning regarding mexico for several years.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html

That being said, the statement for Quintana Roo (the state Cozumel is in) indicates there is no 'advisory' - but the main mexico advisory still warns US citizens of crime and violence throughout the country. This such warning also existed 21 years ago, when I first vacationed to Cancun. During that trip, my wife's (then girlfriend's) passport and travelers checks were stolen. Since then, Ive returned to mexico numerous times - but I maintained caution and vigilence during each trip. We'll be seeing Cozumel on the 3/31/18 Western Carribean cruise on the Fantasy next year - and were looking forward to a great port!

I recommend anyone traveling to Cancun or Cozumel to maintain the same level of caution tht they would if they were cruising to Nassau. sometimes crime happens. if you're careful - you'll avoid it! Most importantly enjoy your cruises!

 

[jrabbit]

I was in Cozumel on the Wonder 6 days before the EO and I ENJOYED a very empty ship - it was AWESOME. We had decided to stay onboard because we were sailing into 20+mph winds (not counting the speed of the ship) and figured that it would be a bit breezy in Cozumel (we were wrong). But hanging out by the pool, in the pool and hot tub without the crowds was absolutely lovely.

The next day in Grand Cayman, we planned a beach day, but the wind, tides, current , waves were against us (waves going over the docks in Georgetown) so we had another sea day with plenty of wind across the deck and lots of people out by the pool. So Cozumel was the better "sea day"

DCL automatically cancelled our GC excursion. So if you decide to book a Cozumel excursion and the ship does not stop, you will not be out any money. Can't say the same for private / local vendors.

 

[Sytrace]

We are sailing this itinerary again and leaving in a few days with Cozumel being our port on Monday. We are planning to get off the ship for a little while as we usually do and then enjoy some quiet time at the pools and Aquaduck onboard. This is no different than the last couple of times we have been there. And my husband needs another bottle or two of tequila anyway.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

We are sailing this itinerary again and leaving in a few days with Cozumel being our port on Monday. We are planning to get off the ship for a little while as we usually do and then enjoy some quiet time at the pools and Aquaduck onboard. This is no different than the last couple of times we have been there. And my husband needs another bottle or two of tequila anyway.

What kind of tequila does he get there?

 

[Sytrace]

What kind of tequila does he get there?

It is called Xicote. I think it used to be exclusive to Mexico when he first bought it. But if I not mistaken he can now purchase it in the States. He likes to go to the duty free shop and ask if they have anything special to offer that he cannot get at home.