Carnival and NCL Skip Mazatlan Calls

Mazatlan Coast - Courtesy Mazatlan Tourism

Carnival Splendor &

Norwegian Star

Skipped Mazatlan

(Last Update:  Feb 28, 2011)

This photo, courtesy of Mazatlan Tourism, paints a beautiful, serene, image of this coastal town.   However, in recent months, violence has caused cruise line executives to carefully weigh making calls in Mazatlan. 

We first brought you information about cancellations in January: Cruise Lines Pull Out of Mazatlan  After that, some cruise lines did return to Mazatlan, after being assured by tourism officials that security had been increased,  but continued to monitor the situation.


An incident this week has once again caused two cruise lines to alter their itineraries:

Norwegian Cruise Line cancelled the Norwegian Star’s calls to Mazatlan, Mexico, through April and Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Splendor cancelled its Feb. 24 call.  Carnival is still monitoring the situation before making additional modifications.

According to the Associated Press, two men, who were not tourists, were shot to death in the parking lot of a hotel located in the tourist zone.  There have been reports that passengers on the Norwegian Star heard the shots.  

NCL and Carnival Statements

“The safety and security of our guests and crew is our number one priority,” NCL said in a statement. “Therefore, the company has been closely monitoring the situation in Mazatlan, Mexico. Because of recent incidents of violence in Mazatlan, we are cancelling all of Norwegian Star’s calls to Mazatlan for the remainder of the season through the April 30 sailing. Instead, the ship will make two back-to-back calls to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We thank our guests for their understanding.”

Carnival also said it replaced the Mazatlan call with an additional day in Cabo San Lucas. “Carnival is currently gathering information on the incident that occurred [Feb. 22] in Mazatlan,” the line said in a statement. “Until we are able to obtain all of the facts and fully assess the situation, no decision has been made regarding future calls. The safety and security of our guests remains our top priority.”

Updated Feb 28:

Disney Cruise Line - has also cancelled all calls through April, 2011
Carnival Splendor & Carnival Spirit will replace calls with Cabo San Lucas for upcoming week
Some additional weather-related changes were made on dates for call
Holland America Oosterdam - still planning to call there on March 2
Oceania Marina - March 3 call replaced with Puerto Vallarta

We too will continue to monitor this situation and bring you any updates.