Cruises From Galveston Continue Unchanged Amid Mexico’s Cartel Violence Warnings

Published on February 25, 2026

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Despite growing security concerns in parts of Mexico following the death of a top cartel leader, cruises departing from the Port of Galveston, Texas, remain unaffected. Cruise operations continue as scheduled, and the announcement comes after Jalisco witnessed violent unrest when cartel members blocked roads and set fire to vehicles, causing disruption across the country.

This unrest followed the Mexican military operation that led to the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The violence sparked a U.S. government advisory with certain parts of Mexico especially Jalisco under a “Do Not Travel” warning. However, as of February 23, 2026, cruise operations from Galveston have continued without disruption.

Galveston Port Operations Unaffected

Rodger Rees, the CEO of Galveston Wharves, confirmed in a statement to Houston Public Media that cruise operations at Port of Galveston are unaffected by the recent unrest in Mexico. He emphasized that although the violence in Mexico had caused significant disruptions, Galveston is still operating smoothly, and cruise lines are advising their passengers about any itinerary changes.

He stated that cruise lines would inform their passengers of any changes to their cruise itineraries and added that, as of then, the violence in Mexico had not affected Galveston departures.

Cruises scheduled to depart from Galveston at the end of February have stops planned at popular Mexican destinations such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso, all of which are currently considered low-risk by the U.S. State Department. These destinations remain open, and cruise lines continue their operations as planned.

Impact on Puerto Vallarta Stops and Specific Cruise Lines

While other Mexican ports remain unaffected, Puerto Vallarta a major stop in Jalisco has seen changes. Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that Puerto Vallarta stops have been canceled on some cruises due to the ongoing unrest. However, these cancellations are unrelated to cruises departing from Galveston, as none of the affected ships were set to depart from this port.

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line stated that they were closely monitoring the ongoing situation and that any itinerary updates would be communicated directly to impacted guests.. This reassures Galveston passengers that their trips, including stops at other Mexican ports, will proceed as planned, despite the situation in Puerto Vallarta.

Cruise Lines Continue with Alternative Mexican Destinations

While Puerto Vallarta is excluded from certain itineraries, popular ports like Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso are still operating as usual. The U.S. State Department has marked these destinations as low-risk, and many cruise lines, including Carnival and Norwegian, are continuing with their scheduled stops at these ports.

Disney Cruise Line, which had planned a stop in Puerto Vallarta on the Disney Magic, has not yet announced any changes to their April sailing, despite the suspension of Puerto Vallarta stops. The next Disney Magic cruise from Galveston is scheduled for April 5, and any changes will be communicated directly with passengers.

As of February 24, Disney Cruise Line has not commented on any changes to its operations or whether the suspension of Puerto Vallarta affects their itineraries.

A Wait-and-See Approach for Travelers

For now, travelers leaving from Galveston are advised to stay connected with their cruise lines to confirm their itineraries and remain flexible as the situation in Mexico evolves. The U.S. State Department’s travel advisories for Mexico remain fluid, with some regions marked for caution. Travelers should prepare for the possibility of changes in their cruise destinations.

Cruise lines have been clear about how they will manage the uncertainty. For travelers booked on cruises with stops in Puerto Vallarta or affected areas, Norwegian Cruise Line and other companies have committed to providing updated information about new stops and changes in the itinerary.

Governor Greg Abbott’s Statement on Mexico’s Safety

In response to the ongoing violence in Mexico, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has urged Texans to stay informed and heed the U.S. State Department’s travel warnings. The U.S. government continues to advise Americans to exercise caution when traveling to areas near cartel-controlled regions, especially along the borders with Syria and Israel, which have historically been prone to violence.

Currently, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso remain low-risk destinations, unaffected by the cartel violence. Galveston continues to serve as a reliable and safe departure port for travelers, and tourism in these regions has not been significantly disrupted.