Cruise itineraries along Mexico’s Pacific coast are being adjusted after violent unrest in the state of Jalisco led at least one cruise line to cancel a scheduled stop in Puerto Vallarta.
The disruption highlights how quickly geopolitical or safety situations can impact cruise vacations — including sailings that Disney Cruise Line and other major lines have planned for the Mexican Riviera in the coming weeks.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an alert on Sunday advising Americans to “shelter in place until further notice” if they are currently in Jalisco State — which includes Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara — as well as in the states of Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo León.
The alert also encouraged travelers to “avoid crowds,” “seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements” and “monitor local media for updates.”
While advisories like this can understandably feel concerning — especially for families with upcoming travel plans — it’s important to remember that cruise lines closely monitor situations like these and adjust itineraries when necessary.
Guest safety is always the top priority, and decisions are made with great care and caution.
Holland America Cancels Puerto Vallarta Call
Holland America Line canceled a February 23 port call to Puerto Vallarta aboard Zuiderdam, which is currently sailing a 12-night roundtrip cruise from San Diego.
The cruise line confirmed that its security team had been closely monitoring developments in western Mexico and made the decision to replace the port stop with a sea day in order to prioritize the safety of guests and crew.
Other Ships Scheduled This Week
Puerto Vallarta is a key stop on many Mexican Riviera itineraries. Ships including Norwegian Bliss and Royal Princess are scheduled to call on the port later this week, though as of now there has been no official announcement of changes to those sailings.
Cruise lines typically monitor security developments in real time and can alter itineraries quickly if needed.
Changes can include swapping ports, adding a sea day, or extending time at another destination.
What About Disney Cruise Line?
Disney Cruise Line does not currently have a ship in Puerto Vallarta.
However, Disney is scheduled to sail Mexican itineraries beginning in March from San Diego.
Their first cruise which is scheduled to make a port stop in Puerto Vallarta is the Panama Canal Cruise from Galveston. As this isn’t until 16 April 2026 it is still to be determined whether or not this will be affected. The next Puerto Vallarta stop is scheduled on a Mexican Rivera cruise which departs on 24 April 2026.
At this time, there have been no announced changes to Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming sailings.
As with all cruise operators, Disney maintains security teams that monitor global events and will adjust itineraries if necessary to ensure guest safety.
It’s important to note that cruise itineraries are always subject to change, and modifications due to weather, operational considerations, or safety concerns are not uncommon.
How This Could Affect Future Sailings
Puerto Vallarta has long been one of the most popular ports on the Mexican Riviera, known for its beaches, historic downtown, and excursion options.
Short-term unrest does not automatically mean long-term disruption — much depends on how quickly stability returns to the region.
If conditions normalize in the coming days or weeks, cruise calls may continue as scheduled. However, prolonged instability could result in temporary rerouting of ships or revised itineraries across multiple cruise lines.
For guests sailing in the coming weeks — whether with Disney or another line — the best course of action is to:
- Monitor official communication from your cruise line
- Keep travel insurance information handy
- Stay flexible with port plans
Cruise lines prioritize safety above all else, and while port changes can be disappointing, they are made with guest and crew well-being in mind.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if any changes are announced that affect Disney Cruise Line sailings.
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 60 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 250,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.