Cancelling our cruise

[TraelorMex]

Just got off a chat session with HAL. They confirm the Mazatlan stop this Feb is cancelled... Due to 'safety concerns'. This is utter B/S and HAL knows it. It's not 'safety'...it's money.

[califgary]

Just got off a chat session with HAL. They confirm the Mazatlan stop this Feb is cancelled... Due to 'safety concerns'. This is utter B/S and HAL knows it. It's not 'safety'...it's money.

We are upset about this too and you're right I think we all know its about cost vs any safety concerns. We will stay with the cruise and try to make lemonade out of lemons - we've never been in PV at nite so we'll make sure to experience the night life there AND other cruise lines stay 2 days in Cabo which I would really hate!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry that you have decided to cancel your cruise.

[kjw869]

Just got off a chat session with HAL. They confirm the Mazatlan stop this Feb is cancelled... Due to 'safety concerns'. This is utter B/S and HAL knows it. It's not 'safety'...it's money.

And at this date, paying a 50% cancellation fee? We are from Wisconsin too and sail in January on a 11-day Caribbean cruise, but no single port is worth the cancellation price to us and getting out of this cold weather.

Sorry you cancelled your cruise.

[jkrislc]

I wasn't thrilled when Mazatlan was cancelled last year on our Disney cruise in January either. It was actually the only port we were truly looking forward to as we had recently been to the other two ports on land-based vacations. That said, having an overnight in PV is better than two days in Cabo, which is what we have. And in my opinion, two days at any tender port simply isn't worth the hassle.

Given that you're in PV until 3 p.m. the next day, there are a lot of options to consider that you might not consider otherwise because of time concerns. For example, there's a pirate dinner cruise that launches fireworks off of the boat to consider. You could also consider Las Caletas (either day or night option).

[Typhoon1]

We are upset about this too and you're right I think we all know its about cost vs any safety concerns.

I tend to believe the safety concerns.

Mexico has become a very unsafe place for American tourists. They won't be seeing me on another Mexican cruise. Twice was enough.

[robertmnch]

Just got off a chat session with HAL. They confirm the Mazatlan stop this Feb is cancelled... Due to 'safety concerns'. This is utter B/S and HAL knows it. It's not 'safety'...it's money.

A very good decision by HAL. LA Times recently reported that 46,000 people have been killed in Mexico since 2006! These murders are "gruesome". Heads, fingers, etc. cutoff!

I used to go to Tijuana for shopping, but not anymore! Mexico is NO longer safe!:eek:

[nana51]

I live in San Diego and the crime in Mexico has really gotten quite bad. We are on this cruise also. I'm looking through all the excursions to pick out another one for the second day. At least P.V. is a lovely city and will be nice and warm.

[TraelorMex]

Interesting mix of responses. As it turns out I am unable to cancel...so as one writer stated, guess I better start making lemonade. We really do love Mazatlan and will sorely miss this stop. Hope to run into some brother and sister CC'ers while on this cruise.

I cannot let the issue go without first addressing the 'safety' issue. Without a doubt, the real reason for cancellation is money, period. 'Safety' is merely a convenient excuse. In the past 10 years (heck, lets go back 20 years) there has never been a cruise ship passenger killed/injured as a result of drug violence in Mazatlan...never. Barring any credible statistical evidence, the cruise industry relies on, at best, anecdotal information.

One more relevant bit of info here: If the cruise lines cancel due to 'safety' concerns, contract terms and conditions are not violated, hence, no refunds allowed. Same thing with 'weather'. If, however, they cancel a stop because of internal 'cost' issues, they have broken the 'contract' and must reimburse the passengers, if so requested. (the very fine print on the contract spells this out).

I do not pretend to be an expert on maritime law, but I am very familiar with how large corporations arrive at their decisions....in the final analysis, it is always about money.;)

One more interesting note...there have been no death reports, or injuries, of cruise ship personnel in Mazatlan..So Mazatlan is cancelled. There have been several recent deaths in Cozumel of cruise ship personnel...and Cozumel is still on the list ....wonder why?

[powderhorn]

You're right Mex. It is all about the money. Noone will argue that safety in Mexico has been in the news. We've been on both coasts and recognize it as a foreign country that deserves care and attention while travelling there, but many thousands of Canadians and Americans continue to winter there in relative comfort. These adjustments to itineraries are unsettling hints at what stresses this industry is under, due to rising costs and over capacity. We will see further evidence of this in the coming months, so it is time to be vigilant and shop wisely. They will be testing our tolerance to these adjustments that will erode the quality of their product.

[Swelldame]

How does cancelling this port save HAL money? (I'm really curious, not trying to be argumentative.) Won't the cancellations, complaints and bad PR out-strip any savings?

Personally I detest Mexico for a lot of reasons and crossed it off my travel list many years ago. If I needed another reason not to go, the increasing violence would sure do it for me. With all the bad news, I have a feeling the future Mexico bookings are going to be dropping and the lines are going to be scrambling to find other places to dock.

[Ine]

Yes there is crime in Mexico, but still you will find enough safe places, it is a large country. Also remember that almost all killings are drugs-related and hardly ever (almost never) toursts were involved.
Recently the SF gate had an interesting article about this:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2011%2F08%2F18%2FTR3O1KLP OQ.DTL#ixzz1VmED3BQL

Plenty to do in PVR to have a nice night.

[sassyredhat]

Does your cruise offer the tour Rhythms of the Night? My friends loved it. Maybe something to do in PV.

Pat

[LindaM]

How does cancelling this port save HAL money? (I'm really curious, not trying to be argumentative.) Won't the cancellations, complaints and bad PR out-strip any savings?

Personally I detest Mexico for a lot of reasons and crossed it off my travel list many years ago. If I needed another reason not to go, the increasing violence would sure do it for me. With all the bad news, I have a feeling the future Mexico bookings are going to be dropping and the lines are going to be scrambling to find other places to dock.

You and me ,both. I could never figure out the allure of Mexico for many people. I assumed it was a cheap cruise for people on the west coast. To me, it is one of the most awful places we have ever been to. Although I can only speak to Acapulco and Cozumel. I have no interest in Mexican culture or food! (Although the beauty of Cabo interests me...)

[jkrislc]

Personally, I'd rather do a northern route to Victoria and back stopping at places like San Francisco and Portland along the way. I'm guessing the isn't don't--except during the swine flu scare--because it is a much colder route. Even so, I'd book it in a heart beat many times over. It's also possible that most of the west coast cruisers are from these places already and thus has less appeal.

As for cost savings, the ship is only porting twice, which reduces porting costs, fees, etc. Also, by eliminating a port, there may be cost savings in fuel as the ship doesn't have to travel so fast to make it to those ports. The biggest saver though, was Princess when they made Cabo their most southern point and saved the expense of traveling to/from PV.

[guestyguestyguesty]

If it's a money issue, take up a collection and send HAL the money. Some people sure try to find anything to whine about.

[xxoocruiser]

Just read/listen to the news. Americans as well as other foreign vistors truly need to be concerned.

[Arwen]

You and me ,both. I could never figure out the allure of Mexico for many people. I assumed it was a cheap cruise for people on the west coast. To me, it is one of the most awful places we have ever been to. Although I can only speak to Acapulco and Cozumel. I have no interest in Mexican culture or food! (Although the beauty of Cabo interests me...)

We have done three Mexico cruises, the last one about four years ago. Honestly, I have no idea the allure of Mazatlan. Of all the stops, it was the one I disliked. Even back then we saw Federales with their automatic weapons standing near the dock. And even back then, I saw the little pick up trucks with Federales riding in the back toting their weapons. Never had a problem there, but on the last Mexico cruise, hubby and I stayed on the ship.

I do miss Loreto and La Paz. The original Mexico Riviera cruise was awesome. HAL no longer stops in those ports. Loreto and La Paz were my absolute favorites....quiet, peaceful, really nice local vendors who would set up their sidewalk wares. The scenery was beautiful and those two stops had small town charm.

I would only take a Mexico cruise now: 1. A cruise departing from San Diego (from Seattle to San Diego is a 2 1/2 flight) 2. The price was right. 3. It would only be for the warm weather and to escape our dreary winter. And lastly, no shore excursions!

[glanders]

We were in Mazatlan summer 2010 on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Our family of 8 ages 13 - 71 walked down to the dock, took the little boat over to Stone Island, hired a local truck to drive us down the beach, and pitched camp at Lettie's for the day. The people were welcoming, the prices were incredibly cheap, and we had a wonderful time. It was one of the most memorable times we have had in a port. On the way back, we took the local boat across the channel and hired a taxi back to the ship. we never felt in danger and actually felt like we had experienced a little bit of local life more so than in other ports.

[scopewest]

Our October cruise was supposed to stop in PV overnight, but a hurricane and tropical storm cancelled that stop. Instead we went to Catalina and La Paz. I was hysterical with delight because I hadn't been to either port in years, and we've been to PV a number of times on that cruise. (We also stopped in Cabo.)

I wish HAL would do this itinerary instead of overnight in PV, and I wrote it on my comment card.

[Sir PMP]

Just got off a chat session with HAL. They confirm the Mazatlan stop this Feb is cancelled... Due to 'safety concerns'. This is utter B/S and HAL knows it. It's not 'safety'...it's money.

Big deal, there's nothing to do in Mazatlan, just a dirty old port..