HAL, Princess Cancel Mazatlan Port Calls This Spring

HAL, Princess Cancel Mazatlan Port Calls This Spring

Holland America Line said that for the safety of its guests and crew it is cancelling port calls in Mazatlan, Mexico, for the remainder of the 2011 spring cruise season. The move comes after several major cruise lines cancelled port calls to the destination after shootings occurred in the tourist zone of the city.

Seven-day sailings on the Oosterdam departing March 12, 19, 26 and April 9 and 16 will now feature two days in Puerto Vallarta with an overnight on day three. The April 2 departure will instead overnight in Cabo San Lucas on day four.

The 10- or 14-day sailing on Zaandam departing April 10 and Oosterdam departing April 23 will now call a second time in Cabo San Lucas on day six. Affected guests and travel agents are being notified. Holland America said discussions will continue with local authorities in Mazatlan to determine the appropriate time to resume port calls there. Should future itinerary changes be made, affected travel agents and guests will be notified.

Citing continuing security concerns, Princess Cruises has removed Mazatlan calls from all Mexico itineraries through the remainder of the spring cruise season. Itineraries for the six remaining sailings have been modified to include an extra day in Cabo San Lucas. Affected sailings are Sapphire Princess departures on March 12, March 19, April 9, April 16, April 23 and April 30. Passengers on these sailings have been notified of changes to their itineraries.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and our decisions will be guided by information and recommendations from a variety of U.S. government and security agencies,” Princess said.

Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line previously removed Mazatlan from upcoming itineraries for the Carnival Splendor, Carnival Spirit and Norwegian Star. The moves came after a Feb. 22 shooting in the tourist zone.