Puerto Vallarta’s cruise season enters a lull in June 2025 with only three ship calls, after 90 visits in the first half of the year, marking a slight dip from 2024 and underscoring seasonal shifts in the Mexican Riviera itinerary.
Puerto Vallarta’s cruise season is entering its quietest stretch of the year as June brings just three ship calls to the port, a marked slowdown following a robust start to 2025.
During the first half of 2025, the port recorded a total of 90 cruise ship visits: 20 in January, 13 in February, 21 in March, 23 in April, 10 in May, and three in June. That figure represents a slight dip compared to the 94 calls logged in the same period of 2024.
Last year, between January and May 2024, cruise calls carried 267,000 passengers and generated an estimated US $22 million in revenue for the city, highlighting the economic stakes as Puerto Vallarta navigates a seasonal slowdown. On average, each cruise visitor spends about US $120 on tours, dining and shopping during their day ashore, according to data from the National Port System Administration (Asipona) published in May 2023.
Puerto Vallarta anchors the Mexican Riviera circuit, trading port calls with Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlán on itineraries that typically depart from California ports such as Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego. Industry analysts note that cruise lines often shift ships northward during the summer, focusing on Alaska and Pacific Northwest deployments before returning south for the winter season, which runs November through February.
The June schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday, June 10: Carnival Panorama docks at 9:00 a.m. and sails at 9:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 17: Navigator of the Seas arrives at 8:00 a.m. and departs at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 24: Carnival Panorama returns, docking at 9:00 a.m. and setting sail at 9:00 p.m.
Built in 2019 by Fincantieri, the 323-meter Carnival Panorama carries up to 4,008 guests and features attractions like the Sky Zone trampoline park and Cloud 9 Spa. Meanwhile, the 311-meter Navigator of the Seas can accommodate around 3,276 passengers, boasting a FlowRider surf simulator, outdoor movie screen and multiple lounges. If fully booked, these three June calls could bring up to 11,130 visitors ashore for day visits, supporting local tour operators and retail merchants.
Puerto Vallarta’s maritime terminal at Muelle de Cruceros can handle up to three vessels simultaneously, though June’s light schedule will leave the docks largely under-utilized. Port officials and local businesses see this as an opportunity to plan enhancements: dock expansions, improved shore-excursion offerings and marketing campaigns aimed at offsetting the seasonal dip.
Looking ahead, the August schedule calls for five cruise ship arrivals, signaling that the low-season slowdown will persist into late summer before rebounding in the autumn shoulder period. Winter bookings remain strong, and lines are already confirming additional calls from November through February as part of their Mexican Riviera rotations.
As Puerto Vallarta transitions into its off-peak phase, stakeholders are focused on sustaining tourism momentum with themed festivals, cultural events and partnerships with cruise lines to diversify itineraries. Despite June’s lull, the city remains a cornerstone of Pacific coast cruising, leveraging its beaches, historic centre and vibrant culinary scene to draw visitors year-round.
