U.S. updates Mexico travel advisory, but Galveston cruises to Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso remain in safer zones and unaffected.
GALVESTON, Texas — If you’re booked on a cruise from Galveston to Cozumel, Costa Maya, or Progreso, your vacation is still on. Despite an updated U.S. travel advisory for Mexico adding a new terrorism risk indicator, the popular ports visited by most Galveston sailings remain in lower-risk areas and are not on the “Do Not Travel” list.
The U.S. State Department’s update, released Tuesday, keeps Mexico at a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution designation for most states, with some higher-risk areas under stricter advisories. The new summary urges travelers to be alert to risks such as crime, kidnapping, and terrorism, but the guidance does not specifically target the Mexican destinations frequented by Galveston cruise passengers.
According to the advisory, visitors should avoid traveling after dark, be cautious at road checkpoints, use app-based ride services like Uber, and avoid remote or high-risk areas. Certain states, including Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas, are under a “Do Not Travel” warning, but none of these are common cruise stops from Galveston.
Cruise ports remain in lower-risk areas
Most Galveston-based cruises visiting Mexico stop at Cozumel and Costa Maya in Quintana Roo, or Progreso in Yucatán — areas that are not under the highest-level advisories.
Quintana Roo (Cozumel, Costa Maya) is at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorism and crime.
- The State Department notes a risk of violence from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.
- Shootings between rival gangs have, in some cases, injured or killed bystanders.
- U.S. citizens have been victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.
- Travelers should pay extra attention to their surroundings after dark in downtown Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and stick to well-lit tourist zones.
Yucatán (Progreso) is at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions—the lowest advisory level.
- While there is still a general risk of violence from criminal groups, there are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in the state.
These destinations remain popular with tourists and are not included in the Level 4 “Do Not Travel” list.
Cruises unaffected for now
Travelers on ships such as the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Jubilee, Harmony of the Seas, Disney Magic, and MSC Seascape will still find these Mexican ports on their itineraries. Only the Norwegian Jade sails without a Mexico stop.
GalvestonCruises.com shows a robust schedule of sailings to Mexico, with ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Disney, and MSC continuing to call on Mexican ports as planned.
While travelers should always stay informed and follow safety guidance, the updated advisory does not target these popular cruise destinations specifically. For most passengers departing from Galveston, the changes mean simply being aware of the new recommendations—not changing their travel plans.
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