Are Gulf Coast Cruises Still Going to Mexico? The Latest

(KMDL-FM) It is a very rare occasion that a cruise ship sailing out of the ports of New Orleans, Galveston, or Mobile in Alabama will not sail to a destination in Mexico. The Gulf Coast's cruise industry was built on those "up and back" trips across the Gulf between those aforementioned port cities and destinations in Mexico such as Cancun, Cozumel, or Playa del Carmen.

READ MORE: Shelter in Place Order for Americans in Mexico

And while the dream of sun-soaked pool decks, bad belly flop contests, and the promise of more margaritas than you can imagine at Senor Frogs certainly offers a great initial vibe of what a cruise to Mexico would feel like, reality has stepped in and ruined that vision. At least for the near future.

Why Are Cruise Vacations Being Interrupted in Mexico?

Because of political violence connected with the drug cartels in Mexico, the United States Department of State has gone to great lengths to warn Americans living, working, and visiting in Mexico to take extra precautions. The State Department even issued a "Shelter in Place" order to keep Americans off the roads and streets and out of harm's way.

In response to the violence or threat of violence, many cruise lines have simply rerouted their vessels and pulled out of Mexican ports for the time being. Now, that is not a permanent solution that begs the question, Are cruises still going to Mexico?

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Are Cruises From NOLA, Galveston, and Mobile Still Sailing to Mexico?

The short answer is yes. In fact, according to a story on KHOU.com, that's a TV station in Houston, Texas, the following cruises will be departing the Port of Galveston heading for destinations in Mexico over the next few days and weeks.

What Cruises Depart from Galveston, TX to Mexico in February 2026?

Feb. 26: Carnival Legend (4 nights) – Cozumel
Feb. 28: Carnival Breeze (5 nights) – Cozumel, Progreso
Feb. 28: Carnival Jubilee (7 nights) – Costa Maya, Cozumel
Feb. 28: Norwegian Viva (7 nights) – Cozumel, Costa Maya

What Cruises Depart from Galveston, TX to Mexico in March 2026?

March 1: Regal Princess (7 nights) – Cozumel, Costa Maya
March 1: MSC Seascape (7 nights) – Costa Maya, Cozumel
March 2: Carnival Legend (4 nights) – Cozumel
March 28: Carnival Breeze (5 nights) – Cozumel, Progreso
March 29: MSC Seascape (7 nights) – Costa Maya, Cozumel

Are Cruises Out of New Orleans to Mexico Cancelled?

The Port of New Orleans also has several cruise itineraries that include Mexican stops that will be sailing over the next few days and weeks as well. The Carnival Valor is scheduled to depart New Orleans on the 26th with a planned stop in Cozumel.

That same vessel, the Carnival Valor, has multiple sailings planned for March, and many of those include stops at ports in Mexico. The Carnival Liberty, the Norwegian Escape, and the P&O Ventura also have similar itineraries that include Mexican ports planned over the next six weeks.

Royal Caribbean Releases Statement on Mexican Violence, Cruise Schedule

Royal Caribbean, which serves many ports in Mexico, released a statement on guest safety in response to the Shelter in Place Order issued by the State Department. That statement read as follows:

The safety and security of our guests and crew are always our top priority. There are currently no changes regarding our visits. Should there be, we will contact impacted guests and travel agents directly.

A similar statement was released by MSC Cruises:

MSC Cruises continuously monitors international developments that may influence our ships’ itineraries or shore activities, and the safety of our guests and crew always comes first. Our sailings to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, are currently operating as planned; however, out of an abundance of caution, some shore excursions may be adjusted or cancelled. We remain in close contact with the relevant authorities.

Norwegian Cruise Lines Statement on Cruises to Ports in Mexico:

The safety and well-being of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are always a top priority. Due to ongoing security operations and the recent U.S. travel warning issued for select areas in Mexico, Norwegian Bliss' scheduled call to Puerto Vallarta on Feb. 25, 2026, has been canceled. We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation, and any additional itinerary updates for ships scheduled to call at Mexico in the near future will be communicated directly to impacted guests.

As far as the areas of Mexico that the State Department believes have been impacted by the threat of violence or may pose a threat of violence to U.S. citizens. The following areas were identified as potential trouble spots.

Which Areas of Mexico Are Not Safe For Americans?

Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara)
Baja California (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada)
Quintana Roo (including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum)
Nayarit (including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area)
Sinaloa (including Mazatlan)
Portions of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de México, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas

If you're familiar with tourist destinations in Mexico, that's about all of them. So, while the cruise lines are still planning on stopping, it will be up to you to decide if you want to get off the ship. If you do, I would certainly stay with a large group of other guests. I would also keep my wits about me, which might mean not having three or four margaritas at Senor Frogs, but you do you.

I am sure the Mexican authorities are doing everything possible to keep the tourist areas safe and functioning. Our advice is simply to follow the advice of your cruise ship crew and check back with us for the latest updates. At least you aren't having to deal with a blizzard on your cruise like these folks are.