Skipping Mexico stops?

[AquaDame]

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.

Links are fine, with some exceptions that will end up blocked out if you try to post them like this - *****.com, and anything that attempts traffic away from here for profit (personal stores, social media sites, that sort of thing).


A word of caution in general to everyone if I may - talking about the ramifications of EOs on travel is fine, but please be extra cautious not to offend your fellow posters or make political arguments here as we want to keep it friendly. Thanks!

 

[Shanti]

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!

This. As a Texan I find it amusing to read of people wondering if travel to Mexico could possibly be dangerous. Many areas, particularly along the border, have been hotbeds of extremely violent crime for several years. This is mostly due to the ongoing drug war. The violence has spread to some non-border tourist towns, like Acapulco, too.

As a child in Texas in the 80's it was common practice to cross the border and take a stroll through one of the sleepy Mexican border towns. You'd have to be crazy to do that now.

 

[hanscarlet]

I don't know much about this topic but it would seem that Cozumel would still be safe given that it's a tourism town.... but those reports of the violence in Puerta Vallarta on the PC Cruise and cruisers not getting off the ship, those sounded scary, hopefully PV is safer now but seems like the cruise line is good about staying on top of the safety of passengers

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Links are fine, with some exceptions that will end up blocked out if you try to post them like this - *****.com, and anything that attempts traffic away from here for profit (personal stores, social media sites, that sort of thing).


A word of caution in general to everyone if I may - talking about the ramifications of EOs on travel is fine, but please be extra cautious not to offend your fellow posters or make political arguments here as we want to keep it friendly. Thanks!

Thank you! I absolutely was not trying to offend--I am just risk-averse and was getting nervous about international relations/customs rules that seem to be in flux and wondering if other people were changing their plans based on it. I was already a little nervous about Mexico/violence but have noted that Cozumel seems like a pretty touristy little island that has huge incentive for security. That said, I don't want to disembark if there may be issues getting back on the boat or back in the US.

 

[Dug720]

Thank you! I absolutely was not trying to offend--I am just risk-averse and was getting nervous about international relations/customs rules that seem to be in flux and wondering if other people were changing their plans based on it. I was already a little nervous about Mexico/violence but have noted that Cozumel seems like a pretty touristy little island that has huge incentive for security. That said, I don't want to disembark if there may be issues getting back on the boat or back in the US.

As has been stated - unless you are originally from one of the singled-out countries and not a US citizen you should have zero issues with reentering the country.

 

[Maxpowers]

I'm heading down that way for a week very soon. I've thought about it a little, but don't think it will be an issue. Specially in Cozumel. I wouldn't worry about Cozumel for now, it's definitely one of the safer places in mexico period. The place I'm going is about 30 mins south of Playa Del Carmen (the city directly inland from Cozumel) and much smaller, more locals place. I'll report back on how it was assuming you cruise isn't in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

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.

Never heard of that, sounds interesting. Is it good?

 

[ludari]

I've been on a Mexican Rivera Disney Cruise where we actually skipped Mazatlan and made two separate port stops at Cabo. I was fine with DCL making the judgement call regarding the safety of it's passengers. Personally I would just use my common sense whenever I travel when it comes to my own safety.

 

[AquaDame]

As has been stated - unless you are originally from one of the singled-out countries and not a US citizen you should have zero issues with reentering the country.

Completely agree with this. If you are a citizen there is no need to worry. If you or your travel partners are not and are from one of the singled out countries it would be worth looking into it further by asking someone who deals with this sort of thing. Personally if I was I would not take the cruise in that case until we know more and I could be guaranteed my card/visa would be accepted on the way home.

I've been on a Mexican Rivera Disney Cruise where we actually skipped Mazatlan and made two separate port stops at Cozumel. I was fine with DCL making the judgement call regarding the safety of it's passengers. Personally I would just use my common sense whenever I travel when it comes to my own safety.

Same here - we are on one in October and I am not too worried. Disney has done a good job in the past of making the call before I would based on my own tolerance for risk.

 

[czmom]

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.

Think we were on the same cruise Galveston to San Juan? Cozumel was definitely the best day. We had very windy weather all week, but a wonderful cruise! Minus the flu both my kids got as a bonus souvenir

 

[longboard55]

I know from California, mexican vacations are way down, They were once extremely popular.

 

[jrabbit]

@czmom - yes we were on the same cruise. We had a great time!!

Other than the wind up on deck while we were sailing the weather was lovely. And the wind didn't bother us that much. We sat on deck 9 at the tables looking out over the water and protected from the bulk of the wind. Wanted to go see Star Wars and Dr. Strange, but it was so lovely outside (and at home the weather sucks - snow and ice again tomorrow and Friday ) that we didn't do a lot of inside activities during the day.

 

[dclpluto]

I've been on a Mexican Rivera Disney Cruise where we actually skipped Mazatlan and made two separate port stops at Cozumel. I was fine with DCL making the judgement call regarding the safety of it's passengers. Personally I would just use my common sense whenever I travel when it comes to my own safety.

Sorry this is impossible. I think you mean another port not Cozumel.

 

[ludari]

Sorry this is impossible. I think you mean another port not Cozumel.

Sorry I meant to say we stopped at Cabo twice. My bag.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

That said, I don't want to disembark if there may be issues getting back on the boat or back in the US.

Like I said earlier, I stayed on the island the month of January. I flew so I hit different immigration/customs. Nothing was different than any other year. I have my trip for 2018 already booked. I have zero fears with Cozumel.

 

[MunFam]

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.

I agree 100% with this. Despite the state of our government, these cities in Mexico rely heavily on tourism, so if they treat the tourists poorly, they are hurting their own pocketbooks the most.

 

[MunFam]

I don't know much about this topic but it would seem that Cozumel would still be safe given that it's a tourism town.... but those reports of the violence in Puerta Vallarta on the PC Cruise and cruisers not getting off the ship, those sounded scary, hopefully PV is safer now but seems like the cruise line is good about staying on top of the safety of passengers

I was on that cruise...and we were planning to meet up with friends that were vacationing there the same time the Wonder was supposed to stop. We were in constant communication and they said everything was fine and you could not tell anything was going on in the touristy part of the city. They had a great week vacationing. I am sad DCL chose to not stop in PV.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I agree 100% with this. Despite the state of our government, these cities in Mexico rely heavily on tourism, so if they treat the tourists poorly, they are hurting their own pocketbooks the most.

And we hurt them through our unnecessary hysteria.

 

[o&smom]

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.

We just spent a very glorious week in Mexico with our two kids! We had a lovely time. We plan on enjoying all three Mexican ports on our WBPC in April.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Our cruise stopped there years back. Some cruisers chose to do an "outside" excursion rather than use the cruise lines... u know, Save a few bucks.
They were robbed and left without transport back to the ship.
So, regardless of what any potential current political situation is/isn't one should always be cautious in any cruise port.
Mexico has been on the State Dept warning list for a while.
Safe travels one/all