Unrest in Mexico: what it means for cruise passengers

On 22 February 2026, the leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which is one of the largest organised crime gangs in Mexico, was killed in an operation by Mexico’s military. Following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (known by the alias El Mencho), there has been widespread unrest, resulting in disruption to travel.

This has included cancelled flights, roadblocks, ‘shelter in place’ alerts and disruptions to some cruise itineraries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) states: “Serious security incidents have been reported on 22 February across the state of Jalisco, including in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, following a federal law-enforcement operation against organised crime in the municipality of Tapalpa.”

At the time of writing, it advises against all but essential travel to a range of Mexican states. The most relevant for cruisers are Jalisco, Baja California, Sinaloa, Colima, Guerrero and Chiapas.

Puerto Vallarta, the popular port city on the Mexican Riviera, has been particularly affected, and several fires have been reported. Tourists have shared accounts on social media of witnessing gunfire, explosions and burned-out vehicles. Many local transport services have been suspended, and a range of businesses and services have been shuttered for the time being. Flights to the city have been significantly impacted, though some airlines have begun to resume service as of 24 February.

In response to the events unfolding, several cruise lines have diverted ships from impacted ports such as Puerto Vallarta. These include Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. More may announce disruptions as the situation evolves.

However, it’s worth noting that in many cases, cruise lines will adjust itineraries rather than cancel a cruise altogether. This can mean adding more sea days or stopping at an alternative port instead.

Moreover, much of Mexico has not been impacted to the same extent as Jalisco, meaning select itineraries may proceed unimpeded, depending on how events continue to unfold.

Key takeaways for UK travellers:

• The cruise port of Puerto Vallarta has been significantly impacted, and several cruise lines may cancel the specific port stop, adding extra sea days or diverting to an alternative port.
• If you're travelling imminently, the best option is to contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for the latest information.
• Check your travel insurance policy, particularly any cover relating to travel disruption.
• The situation is still evolving, and the FCDO recommends tourists “stay alert and follow local security advice” in destinations across Mexico.