Royal Caribbean has suspended its cruises to Manzanillo, Mexico, following a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the US department of state, which cites widespread violent crime and kidnapping as the primary concerns. This advisory is the highest warning level issued by the US government.
What the state department warning says
The US state department’s warning states: “Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread.” The advisory further notes, “Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.”
Although the advisory allows US government employees to visit Manzanillo’s port and tourist areas, Royal Caribbean has decided to suspend all cruises to the city. “US government employee travel is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo,” the advisory said. “US government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state,” it added.
The state department’s Level 4 warning places Manzanillo in the same category as Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea, among other locations.
Despite the suspension, Royal Caribbean’s website still lists Manzanillo as a destination, indicating potential future cruises if the advisory is lifted. The cruise line describes the city on its website, stressing its “golden beaches” and “emerald rainforest.
Princess Cruises, owned by Carnival, reportedly still has cruises scheduled to Manzanillo in the coming months.
Violent crime in Colima state
Colima, the state where Manzanillo is located, has a homicide rate five times higher than Mexico’s national average, according to a New York Times report. The small Pacific coast state has a murder rate of 22 per 100,000 residents, one of the highest in the world, according to the Latin Times. Between January and October of this year, Colima reported 623 homicides.
Recent violence in Manzanillo
Last week, notorious cartel boss Jose “El Chabelo” Isabel was killed in a shootout with police after carrying out a hit at a local cockfight in Manzanillo, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries.
Other travel warnings
The state department also issued a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” warning for Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, due to rising crime levels. Norwegian, Holland America, and Princess Cruise lines typically operate voyages to this Mexican destination. Princess Cruises is reportedly the only major cruise line still scheduled to visit Puerto Chiapas. The warning on Puerto Chiapas states, “Reconsider travel due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.”
