Mexico Tourism Advisory in Effect. Anyone Worried?

[vacationer1954]

No, from reading a bit it sounds like this is just a rehashed warning than a new one.

It is actually a new warning for Quintana Roo (where Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen are). The prior warning for Quintana Roo, from December, said "No advisory is in effect." Now, the same section of the warning says, "U.S. citizens should be aware that according to Government of Mexico statistics, the state of Quintana Roo experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured or killed, have occurred."

A warning is all fine and good, but does anybody have any actual data to base this worry on?

Most of the news reports indicate that the murder rate is increasing so fast in the area that they have already surpassed last year's total. It's a very significant change. Whether the risk is so high now that people should change their plans is something each person will have to decide for themselves, but people who choose to do so aren't paranoid: There really is some additional danger that was not there a few years ago.

 

[lorimay]

We sail Sept. 30th, we weren't planning on getting off in Cozumel, but now for sure we won't be. Been there done that, not worth the risk.

 

[mevelandry]

Yes and no. Let's just say I'll stick to excursions organized by the cruise lines and try to stay aware of my surroundings as much as possible.

 

[3monkeys4me]

I don't have a trip planned that would be going to Mexico anytime soon, but no I would not be worried at this point. I always take a look at the state department warnings (for both the US and Canada) before we travel and we do take them into consideration before making plans, especially with our children with us. But with the current warnings in place it would not deter me from a trip to any of those cruise ports. I would absolutely be aware of my surroundings and take care when planning excursions.

But we just spent the last few weeks listening to NK threaten to hit us with missiles so I may not be the best person to ask.

 

[mom4fun]

When we were on the Disney Wonder in 2015 for the WBPC cruise, they made a last minute decision to not stop at Puerto Vallarta because of some unrest that was happening. Other cruise ships still stopped there and some people were a little upset that we didn't stop, too. The point is, Disney is extra cautious so they will not put there passengers in danger. If the situation becomes worse, they will not stop.

 

[bbel]

Don't most countries have some sort of warning in place thanks to the state of the world today?

 

[belac]

Don't most countries have some sort of warning in place thanks to the state of the world today?

Funny you said that....I went looking out of the same curiosity and most in Europe have no warning, some Eastern Europe countries have, Canada doesn't nor Australia and lots of others. Some have alerts which is a milder form of Warning but no travel restrictions. Warnings have travel restrictions for us gov employees. That site can really be scary, so I stopped looking

 

[Jennifer777]

In light of recent events, I won't be traveling to Mexico on a cruise ship or otherwise, until significant changes are made. There have been quite a few reports, just in the last month on the large amount of tainted alcohol and the increasing number of assaults and deaths that are taking place. Yes, crime happens everywhere, but how that crime is handled determines whether or not I'm willing to travel there and Mexico is failing it's victims terribly. I'm not just referring to the corrupt/complacent police either. The resorts have failed to protect their guests, purchasing illicit alcohol, not providing adequate security and at times refusing to call police when needed or assist guests who are incapacitated or injured. The hospitals demand ridiculously large sums of money up front before providing services (and the quality of medical care is questionable). There is little justice in Mexico for victims right now and until that changes, I'll stick with countries that make an effort to prevent and punish crime and provide basic resources/assistance to victims.

If I had already booked though and it was too late to cancel, I would stay on the ship. If I HAD to book an excursion, I would do it directly through DCL, I'd stick with my group the whole time and I wouldn't eat or drink anything other than bottled water and prepackaged food brought off the ship.

 

[phinz]

Yes and no. Let's just say I'll stick to excursions organized by the cruise lines and try to stay aware of my surroundings as much as possible.

For what it's worth, Disney excursions have been held up before. It was in Nassau, but it has happened. Not going to stop me from going out in Cozumel to my favorite beer bar and Mega.

 

[closetmickey]

We are on the 3 night cruise to Ensenada. We had already been debating what to do- such a short cruise so thinking we would just stay onboard. About a week ago I had (almost) decided to book a non dcl tour that takes you to a remote, beautiful snorkeling spot. I'm not worried about the cruise or getting off for lunch, but I won't be taking my family to an "off the beaten path" spot.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'll be in Cozumel in October on Harmony of the Seas. We were planning to go to Mr. Sanchos but I'm pretty sure I won't now. I'm certainly not drinking alcohol in Mexico. No flippin' way. I have a prepaid package on the ship so I'll probably just stay onboard. Hubby & I were planning to make a dedicated trip to either Playa or Isla Mujeres (north of Cancun) to snorkel with whale sharks in Sept '18 for our 25th anniversary. We've decided to postpone that and see how things play out further in the future. Perhaps we'll find somewhere else to check that bucket list item someday. We thought about doing a week in a 00T on the Fantasy...a big splurge... but I think we've decided to trade that for more bucket list adventures. We'll be going to Ireland for 2 weeks instead. So, yes, we have changed plans & are avoiding Mexico now. I've enjoyed our time spent there in the past. We just don't feel like we would enjoy it as much if we felt uneasy or were always looking over our shoulders.

 

[vacationer1954]

Don't most countries have some sort of warning in place thanks to the state of the world today?

I think the issue, here, though is that the warning has changed. It used to be X now it is Y; things have gotten a lot more dangerous in a short period of time. That's why this matter is coming up.

 

[Realfoodfans]

From the UK we have no warnings- we've visited a number of times & always been amazing and peaceful. The last time our resort asked us to share how safe we felt due to a drop in tourism.
Reading this now I'm worried as my son and DIL travel to Cozumel in 10 days - apart from a trip to Playa del Carmen and one night out they will be in the resort.
I'm surprised no warnings for us. I'm off to check.

 

[vacationer1954]

From the UK we have no warnings- we've visited a number of times & always been amazing and peaceful. The last time our resort asked us to share how safe we felt due to a drop in tourism.
Reading this now I'm worried as my son and DIL travel to Cozumel in 10 days - apart from a trip to Playa del Carmen and one night out they will be in the resort.
I'm surprised no warnings for us. I'm off to check.

It is interesting that the UK government actually provided far more detail in their warning than the US or Canadian governments did in theirs:

"The Mexican government makes efforts to protect major tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta and these areas haven’t seen the levels of drug-related violence and crime experienced elsewhere. However, there were shooting incidents at a nightclub in Playa del Carmen on 16 January 2017; at the state prosecutor’s office in downtown Cancun on 17 January 2017; and 2 shootings in downtown Cancun on 14 March 2017. There was also a shooting on Palmilla Beach in Los Cabos on 6 August 2017. There is currently an increased police presence in the Cancun area, including in the hotel zone. If you’re visiting any of these areas, you should follow the advice of the local authorities and your tour operator." https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mexico/safety-and-security

 

[RedStars]

I have trouble with the validity of any reports that are coming out of the state Dept right now...
Having said that, I think there's a concern with any foreign cruise port but you need to just be vigilant and go with your gut. I'm not sure I would change my plans BUT I would probably change my behavior.

 

[Realfoodfans]

It is interesting that the UK government actually provided far more detail in their warning than the US or Canadian governments did in theirs:

"The Mexican government makes efforts to protect major tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta and these areas haven’t seen the levels of drug-related violence and crime experienced elsewhere. However, there were shooting incidents at a nightclub in Playa del Carmen on 16 January 2017; at the state prosecutor’s office in downtown Cancun on 17 January 2017; and 2 shootings in downtown Cancun on 14 March 2017. There was also a shooting on Palmilla Beach in Los Cabos on 6 August 2017. There is currently an increased police presence in the Cancun area, including in the hotel zone. If you’re visiting any of these areas, you should follow the advice of the local authorities and your tour operator." https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mexico/safety-and-security

That is interesting- and different to the initial page I found - more worried now though. Have to say DIL travels regularly to Cancun with work so she will be to date with the situation.

 

[vacationer1954]

I have trouble with the validity of any reports that are coming out of the state Dept right now...

For Canada and UK as well? And we're not talking about a political issue.

 

[mevelandry]

I'll be in Cozumel in October on Harmony of the Seas. We were planning to go to Mr. Sanchos but I'm pretty sure I won't now. I'm certainly not drinking alcohol in Mexico. No flippin' way. I have a prepaid package on the ship so I'll probably just stay onboard. Hubby & I were planning to make a dedicated trip to either Playa or Isla Mujeres (north of Cancun) to snorkel with whale sharks in Sept '18 for our 25th anniversary. We've decided to postpone that and see how things play out further in the future. Perhaps we'll find somewhere else to check that bucket list item someday. We thought about doing a week in a 00T on the Fantasy...a big splurge... but I think we've decided to trade that for more bucket list adventures. We'll be going to Ireland for 2 weeks instead. So, yes, we have changed plans & are avoiding Mexico now. I've enjoyed our time spent there in the past. We just don't feel like we would enjoy it as much if we felt uneasy or were always looking over our shoulders.

Which pier are you going to? With Carnival we are going to Puerta Maya. The port seems kinda cute and pretty safe. If wasn't going for an excursion, I would probably spend half a day there.

 

[mevelandry]

For Canada and UK as well? And we're not talking about a political issue.

I have trouble with the validity of any reports that are coming out of the state Dept right now...
Having said that, I think there's a concern with any foreign cruise port but you need to just be vigilant and go with your gut. I'm not sure I would change my plans BUT I would probably change my behavior.

I can confirm that the travel advisories from Canada (we have a great relationship with Mexico) is quite similar although in ours the emphasis is more a "being at the wrong place at the wrong time (because of the drug wars)" type of advisories.

 

[SteveMP]

I'd be more worried traveling to certain parts of the US at night as well.