Puerto Vallarta, a renowned tourist destination on the Mexican Central Pacific coast, is witnessing a significant decrease in cruise ship arrivals this December. The city, which welcomed 21 cruise ships in November, is set to host only 13 this month, marking a drop of over 40 percent. This decline is primarily attributed to the cancellation of visits by the Carnival Panorama, the port’s most frequent cruise ship.
The Puerto Vallarta Harbor Master’s Office provided data highlighting the bustling activity in November, where thousands of cruise passengers contributed substantially to the local economy. However, December’s outlook appears less robust.
The National Port System Administration of Puerto Vallarta, SA de CV (Asipona Vallarta) reported that December began with two cruise ship arrivals. The absence of the Carnival Panorama, which was scheduled for three stops this month, significantly impacts the total count. The Carnival Panorama has been undergoing repairs at the Vigor shipyard in Portland, Oregon, United States, for a propulsion issue since November, leading to several voyage cancellations.
Notably, the Arctic Sunrise, a vessel belonging to the international environmental organization Greenpeace, docked at Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday, December 5th. This ship is not a typical tourist vessel but is known for its activist endeavors. Greenpeace International activists aboard the Arctic Sunrise recently staged a protest against deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean. The ship’s presence in Puerto Vallarta, primarily for resupplying, offers a unique addition to the port’s December activity.
The schedule for the rest of the month includes the Disney Magic and the Koningsdam, with the Norwegian Bliss arriving next week. The Crown Princess and the Volendam are also expected later in the month.
The final week of December promises to be more eventful with two double arrivals. The Carnival Panorama is set to return alongside the Navigator of the Seas on Tuesday, followed by the Discovery Princess and Norwegian Bliss on Wednesday.
