Princess cancels Puerto Vallarta stops

Princess Cruise Line won't stop in Puerto Vallarta.

Mexican tourist officials are reeling thanks to Princess Cruises' decision this week not to drop anchor in Puerto Vallarta any longer because of safety concerns.

The drug war that continues to hold Mexico tourism hostage has damaged the country's reputation with world travellers and Princess' decision this week not to stop in Puerto Vallarta could ruin the country's tourism economy for many years to come.

Mexican tourism officials counter with statements intended to reassure travellers: "Puerto Vallarta is a leading cruise destination in Mexico and continues to offer a wide range of shore excursions and a safe experience for all cruise passengers visiting its port from around the world," the Puerto Vallarta tourism board said in a statement this week.

However, when a large cruise line like Princess takes such drastic steps, you know travellers will put more stock in what they say instead of what the Mexican tourism board wants us to believe.

Princess says its canceled calls in Puerto Vallarta on three Sapphire Princess sailings: Nov. 19, Dec. 10 and Dec. 31.

"Our security department continues to monitor the actions taking place in specific areas of Mexico. As the safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and based on the continued violence in these areas, we've made the decision to cancel our calls to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan," the cruise line said in a statement.

Those departures will instead include a two-day call in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico.

In April, the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning that outlined areas throughout Mexico where there have been reports of crime and violence. For the state of Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta is located in Jalisco), the State Department said that official U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the cities of Colotlan and Yahualica in Jalisco, "because of an increasingly volatile security situation."

The Puerto Vallarta tourism board said in a statement that it was "sorry to learn of Princess Cruises’ recent decision," but referred to a recent security assessment study conducted by security consulting firm Thomas Dale & Associates, which found that the number of negative events involving foreigners or non-foreigners in Puerto Vallarta is fractional compared to the millions of visitors that vacation in Puerto Vallarta annually.

I feel so sorry for Mexicans. They are lovely people who have always welcomed me with open arms. However, until the Mexican government can get the drug war under control, tourism will be a victim of these thugs.