Cruise lines have stayed away from Mazatlan, Mexico for several years, largely due to concerns the cruise experience might include a visit from a dangerous drug lord. With crime rates down in Mexico, west coast cruise ship itineraries are now returning to Mazatlan.
Cruise lines had steered away from the port because of safety issues. There was no way that they would endanger the lives of their passengers by dropping them off at an unsafe place. The move was primarily a precaution as drug lord activity was happening far to the north of Mazatlan.
"We understand that travel agents and providers have a duty to inform their customers, but we feel as if we have been unfairly singled out as an unsafe destination," said Julio Birrueta, spokesperson for the Mazatlan Tourism Trust, according to Caribbean News Digital.
"We didn't just sit around hoping they would return," said Frank Cordova, secretary of tourism for the state of Sinaloa. "We made a lot of changes to upgrade security and to improve the visitor experience."
Holland America Line's Veendam will return to Mazatlan on November 9. Norwegian Star starts arriving December 22 and Azamara Quest returns on December 29.
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