Carnival Decides on Mazatlan: Pulls Out for Now, But Hopes to Return

Carnival Cruise Lines is the latest cruise line to cancel port calls at Mazatlan for the immediate future. The line said in a statement on Friday: Due to recent security incidents in Mazatlan, we have decided as a precautionary measure to cancel our current calls there on the Carnival Splendor and Carnival Spirit

But the line left the door wide open for a potential return in the future -- much more so than other lines who have pulled out. Carnival said it's working closely with the Mexican government and local officials to review their plans to improve security in all of the main tourist areas. 

"Once we are comfortable with their plans and implementation, we expect to return to Mazatlan," the statement said. "We are hopeful that this process can be completed within a short period of time." The line continued to stress that no incidents have involved cruise passengers, but that the safety of its guests is the line's top priority.

Until the line returns to the port, Carnival Splendor’s seven-day cruises will replace a call in Mazatlan with an additional day in Cabo San Lucas.

On the Carnival Spirit’s nine-day voyage of March 11, Mazatlan and Ensenada will be replaced with a second call in Cabo San Lucas and a call at Manzanillo.  On Carnival Spirit’s seven-day cruise of March 20, Mazatlan would be replaced by a second day in Cabo San Lucas.