Will Mazatlan ever be a stop?

[lbfluffy]

I see Mazatlan as a stop on other cruiselines, but not on Carnival. Does anyone have an idea if this will ever be added? We loved the Miracle and would love to go again next March, but was hoping for Mazatlan to be added in soon.

 

Thanks

[Lace]

It was till about 3 years ago, when some incident caused them to drop it.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=4389

Edited April 10, 2014 by Lace

[joeyancho]

Mazatlan used to be a port of call for Carnival. They stopped calling there several years ago. It got too dangerous. I would like if they returned. But only when it is safe. It makes the mex Riviera cruise much better. The same thing happened to Acapulco. Sad what has happened to sunny Mexico.

[SadieN]

Probably when Carnival's double-day in Cabo contract is over.

[Skywench]

I was there either October 2010 on the Splendor or April 2011 on the Spirit. We had a nice stop there and I hope they can go back again sometime in the future.

[dljones]

Mazatlan used to be a port of call for Carnival. They stopped calling there several years ago. It got too dangerous. I would like if they returned. But only when it is safe. It makes the mex Riviera cruise much better. The same thing happened to Acapulco. Sad what has happened to sunny Mexico.

 

Went to Mazatlan on a RCC ship a few years ago. Hooked up with a local Mazatlan Frank and spent the whole day cruising around. We felt perfectly safe the entire time.

 

I don't suppose Carnival saw that El Chapo was captured in where? CABO!

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/23/world/americas/el-chapo-capture/ :eek:

[n6uqqq]

Not going to Mazatlan is all about the money. Allegedly it is for safety but how many Carnival sponsored shore excursions were robbed at gunpoint in Mazatlan? Oh wait, that was Puerto Vallarta and they didn't stop going there. It is a fuel savings not having to criss cross to get to Mazatlan. You don't see them going to La Paz instead. I wonder why?

Edited April 10, 2014 by n6uqqq

[urbanhawk]

Went to Mazatlan on a RCC ship a few years ago. Hooked up with a local Mazatlan Frank and spent the whole day cruising around. We felt perfectly safe the entire time.

 

I don't suppose Carnival saw that El Chapo was captured in where? CABO!

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/23/world/americas/el-chapo-capture/ :eek:

 

Re-read the article-it was in MATZATLAN!!!:eek:

[PathfinderEss]

Holland America has started stopping in Mazatlan again this year on all their Mexico cruises.

[SadieN]

Not going to Mazatlan is all about the money. Allegedly it is for safety but how many Carnival sponsored shore excursions were robbed at gunpoint in Mazatlan? Oh wait, that was Puerto Vallarta and they didn't stop going there. It is a fuel savings not having to criss cross to get to Mazatlan. You don't see them going to La Paz instead. I wonder why?

 

They had La Paz on an itin a few years ago, switched it to another day in Cabo.

Went on Pricess last month to La Paz and Loreto. Thinking of doing it again next year.

[SoCalKJ]

I remember that stop fondly: we went on a fishing excursion and our boat was the only one (there were several 5-to-a-boat simultaneous tours going) that brought back a Marlin! A proud day! :)

 

I also remember the next year when we took the Spirit out of San Diego and hit Manzanillo, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Acapulco...some good times.

 

I miss all those "has-been" ports, but heard a rumor that Mazatlan (at the least) might be added back in the next year or two...? :confused:

[cruizinator]

Holland America has started stopping in Mazatlan again this year on all their Mexico cruises.[/quote

 

...and Princess is returning in November 2014.

[dljones]

Re-read the article-it was in MATZATLAN!!!:eek:

 

Oh DUH!!! What was I thinking? Note to self, "do not post while drunk..." :o

[welldone60]

They had La Paz on an itin a few years ago, switched it to another day in Cabo.

Went on Pricess last month to La Paz and Loreto. Thinking of doing it again next year.

 

We are thinking of doing the Princess cruise that goes to La Paz and Loreto. What did you think of the Ports?

[riffatsea]

Both Holland America and Princess stop in Mazatlan and both are owned by the Carnival Corporation so safety is not the real reason Carnival ships are not stopping there these days!

We also love the Miracle and just enjoyed a 2day(overnight) in Puerto Vallarta cruise instead of the 2 days in Cabo. Sadly when I went to look at 2015 to book another one I only see the 2 nights in Cabo 1night in PV option!! We are VERY unhappy about that!!

[lbfluffy]

We love Carnival the best. But I guess if we want Mazatlan we have to switch lines. We want to go next March.

[azbarbu]

We travelled on the Norwegian Star leaving San Pedro on April 6, 2014

 

The itinerary was Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta. We'd been to Los Cabos numerous times and were familiar with PV. It had been 30 years since I was in Mazatlan, well before the recent troubles in Mexico.

 

Mazatlan was our favorite port. We spent most of our day wandering through the Centro Historico (old town) that was quite close to the Cruise Terminal. An abundance of Volunteers in blue shirts answered many of our questions about the city when we got off the ship Most were Canadian and US ex-pats living in the Mazatlan area, all excited about sharing information about their adopted home. They provided free maps and guides for walking tours and historic sites. The Blue Line is painted on the sidewalks and streets to take you from the Cruise Terminal for an easy 20 minute walk through residential areas and past local shops to the Plazuela Machado, a pleasant shaded square in the center of the district, with lots of character. The Cathedral and adjacent square is about a block away, which is elegant and shows the wealth of this city's history. From there, the Central Market is an easy two block walk. We wandered through displays of beautiful fruits, vegetables, fresh baked Mexican pastries, past stall of butchers plying their trade with beautiful cuts of meat, and we always were greeted with courtesy in response to our curiosity. We ordered some tacos from a small stand and watched the owner-cook prepare the tortillas, grilled the meat and assembled our meal, with wonderful condiments. They were delicious, inexpensive and clearly she was happy to have us there.

 

From the market, we followed the maps and walked to the Malecon, or seafront, about 6 or 8 blocks away. The residential area was very colorful, reminding me of certain areas in old San Juan. after another meal at a seaside cafe, we returned to the ship. Overall, a very pleasant visit.

 

Clearly the Mazatlan authorities are making efforts to assure visitors that their city is secure. The Tourist Police were stationed at nearly every other corner in the area we visited. The Municipal Police provided crossing guards across busy streets and had lots of cruisers on the streets themselves. The Norwegian Star was escorted into and out of the harbor by Naval Patrol craft as well as while at the pier. Overall it felt very safe, and we were glad to visit this historic, beautiful city. Not only were the people warm and inviting, but it felt very "real": much less crowded and less showy than PV, and far less built-up and more Mexican than Los Cabos. It actually felt like we were guests of the city.