The Administración del Sistema Portuario Nacional de Puerto Vallarta (AsiponaPV) is gearing up for a busy start to the low-season shoulder: ten international vessels are slated to dock during May, slightly outpacing the same month last year. The roster features a rare three-ship day, two double arrivals, and the overnight stay of a luxury liner—activity that port officials say underscores cruise lines’ continued confidence in the destination.
Key Dates & Vessels
Schedules subject to operational changes, per AsiponaPV.
By 30 April the port had logged 77 cruise calls and more than 66,000 passengers; with May’s traffic, total visitor arrivals for 2025 will climb past 235,000, AsiponaPV data show. Applying the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s 2023-24 average on-shore spend of US $104.36 per passenger, those visitors have already injected around US $24 million (≈ MX $478 million at 19.57 MXN/US $) into the local economy this year.
Port administrators note that while the summer months traditionally mark a lull, the steady cadence of marquee ships like Carnival Panorama—scheduled three times this month—helps sustain jobs in tours, retail, and hospitality.
“The mix of large resort vessels, luxury explorers, and training ships keeps our terminal active year-round and showcases Puerto Vallarta to diverse segments of the cruise market,” AsiponaPV said in a statement.
Nautical Highlights
- USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) – The 1936-built barque serves as the U.S. Coast Guard’s sail-training vessel. Her arrival 9-12 May is expected to draw crowds; public deck tours are planned, pending final confirmation from the consulate.
- Seabourn Odyssey – At 32,000 GT, the boutique ship’s overnight stay 14-15 May will give guests extra time to explore the city’s art-walks, culinary scene, and the Fiestas de Mayo fairgrounds.
- Triple-Dock Day (13 May) – Operations teams will coordinate staggered gangway calls to manage passenger flow as three ships share the terminal simultaneously.
June’s preliminary calendar shows seven calls, but officials expect late additions once Pacific repositioning itineraries are finalized. In the meantime, hoteliers and tour operators are capitalizing on May’s surge, bundling shore excursions with evening visits to the Fiestas de Mayo celebrations running 16 May–1 June.
With a healthy mix of mega-ships, premium lines, and eye-catching tall ships on the docket, Puerto Vallarta’s maritime gateway is poised for another impactful month—proof that the city’s allure extends well beyond peak winter season.
