So I thought I decided to book a cruise

[ChrisinNJ]

on Carnival after all the good reviews I read here. But now I am hearing all kinds of warning about traveling to Mexico. That there have been many murders & kidnappings, and that tourists are being targeted.

I got a great price on a cruise & I know I always have the option to stay on ths ship, but we really like going into the ports, more than just laying by the pool.....

 

[tommya60]

We did a Royal Carib cruise to the Mexican Riviera in 2008, I was concerned, but really the port cities are fine. I wouldn't wander around at night, but during the day and sticking to the tourist areas you should be fine. Visit cruisecritic.com for more current information and ideas of what to do in each port. Have a great time!

 

[Justsyd2]

They are saying on the news to stay in the tourist areas. Port cities are fine. We're booked on a cruise to Mexico. I'm not worried about it because we're not going to go wandering around on our own day or night.

 

[TifffanyD]

We are going in June and only doing ship excursions (yeah they are pricey but it should be worth it)

 

[TnTWalter]

it's safe.

I am a member of playa.info a board as dedicated to Playa del Carmen as the Dis is to well Disney!

This question gets asked a lot by people who haven't been to Mexico yet.....Here's the general answer....

Most of the drug violence you hear about is located on the boarder near Texas, about 1800 miles from Playa. There has been some drug violence in Cancun, but that was between the police and drug dealers. Tourist are generally not affected. Take the same general caution you would at home.


Enjoy!!

 

[chisnpeke]

You'll be fine. Book excursions through the cruiseline or a trusted tour company. And stay in groups. Have fun!

 

[PinkRhombus]

it's safe.

I am a member of playa.info a board as dedicated to Playa del Carmen as the Dis is to well Disney!

This question gets asked a lot by people who haven't been to Mexico yet.....Here's the general answer....

Most of the drug violence you hear about is located on the boarder near Texas, about 1800 miles from Playa. There has been some drug violence in Cancun, but that was between the police and drug dealers. Tourist are generally not affected. Take the same general caution you would at home.


Enjoy!!

Yes...HOWEVER this is also going on in the Acapulco area which is one of the common cruise ports if you're leaving out of LA or doing one of the Panama Canal cruises that go all the way through.

The State Department has had travel advisories issued for Mexico for a few years now.

 

[Justsyd2]

I've been going to Mexico for years, even with the travel warnings. The warnings are there for a reason -- like I said -- stay in the tourist areas, and don't wander around on your own.

I also lived in a border town for 3 years. It was nothing like what was reported on the news. I made many, many trips across the border without one problem because I followed the above advice.

 

[gisgt]

You'll be fine, if anything stay near port or book excursions like others have mentioned. I cruised to Guatemala back when they were beheading tourists and the advice they gave us was "Don't eat the food, don't drink the water, and don't leave the pier." If you're really nervous, that advice will never fail. There's TONS of shopping at the ports and there is always an excursion to any remotely tourist destinations near port. Book it and HAVE FUN!!

 

[budbeerlady]

You will be fine, its more in Juarez and border towns.

The ship and Mexico have a huge incentive to keep you safe. Also if you are really worried only take a ships excursion. Don't go off on your own if you don't feel comfortable hoping in a cab to the beach. I would go on the cruise and have a great time!

 

[twinmommyks]

Another worried traveler here. We are flying to Maztalan, Mexico this summer with some friends. Please tell me this is a safe place.

Bren

 

[Duckyiam71]

I think you will be safe. As PP states, the port cities are safe. I live in El Paso, TX and we share the border with Juarex MX. The violence has been going on for years and it has been escalating in the past year. It has been receiving a lot of attention lately because Americans were killed. But they believe it was a case of mistaken identity. The violence is mainly with drug cartels. Go have fun but always use caution like you would use in any unfamiliar city.

 

[Suz D]

My husband is a college professor and he studies hostage situations and terrorism. He is very involved in studying the border kidnappings in Mexico and has seen and heard enough inside information that is horrifying. With that said, he would not hesitate to take the cruise that we are considering in May with a stop in Cozumel. We would NOT do as we did on a past cruise which was renting a car and driving off by ourselves around the island.

Stay in the very populated areas or take a group excursion. As other posters have said, just use common sense (back on the ship before dusk, stay with a larger group rather than two or three people etc.)

I know it can be scary, but so is crossing a busy street at rush hour.

 

[girli565]

As long as you stay in the port cities you will be fine. Those cities would lose TONS of money if tourists started getting kidnapped/killed, they have a vested interest in keeping you safe.

Last time I was in Cozumel (April 2009) there was a visible police presence in the city. I hadnt been there in almost 4 years so I was surpised to see policemen patroling on foot and on bikes everywhere, when 4 years ago you never saw any authorities. And they are very nice and helpful if you ask them a question.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

We just booked a cruise with Carnival for Feb 2011. Stops in Grand Cayman and Cozumel. It won't let me book shore excursions for some reasom but we plan on doing excursions only through the cruise line. Never thought of danger- or more than any other danger that comes from travelling to anywhere else..