22 Carnival Cruise passengers robbed at gunpoint on ship-sponsored tour in Mexico

[DebbieandJerry]

I copied this off of msnbc so the "ads" came along. Sorry. Obviously, Jerry and I won't be visiting El Nogalito!!

By Dan Askin, x

Updated at 12:30 p.m. ET -- Twenty-two passengers on Carnival Splendor were robbed at gunpoint Thursday while on a ship-sponsored tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

At least one Mexican media outlet said the passengers were returning by bus to their ship at approximately 5 p.m. after spending time in El Nogalito, a tourist area known for its lush natural setting. Masked assailants stopped the bus and robbed the cruisers of their money, watches, cameras and other valuables.

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There were no injuries and all passengers were returned safely to the ship, Carnival said in a statement. Numerous authorities were notified and responded to investigate, as well as assist the affected passengers, Carnival said.

According to informador.mx.com, the bandits have yet to be apprehended.

Carnival apologized to the passengers for the "unfortunate and disturbing event" and said it is working with passengers to reimburse them for lost valuables and assist with lost passports or other forms of identification.

On Saturday, Latitude Intl, the public relations firm representing the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, called Thursday's robbery an "extremely rare incident." A statement on Latitude's Facebook page said, "minutes after we learned of the incident representatives from the local and state government, tourism leaders and tour operators [moved] to provide assistance to those involved and police and the district's attorney office started their investigation."

The tour in question — a guided nature trail excursion sold and booked through the line — has been suspended until further notice.

[coloradocruisers]

I read this article on Yahoo as well. I think the same thing has happened in the last few years in Jamaica. Then again, I think it can happen just about anywhere.

[AndiD]

We are supposed to stop in Puerto Vallarta on our Panama cruise next month. They substituted that port for Acapulco...now I wonder if they will pull this one as well. As far as I am concerned, I could spend an overnight in Cabo and be very happy!

[RayColey]

It seems like the latin american drug cartels have spawned a criminal culture that has more power than the governments that should be controlling it. Anarchy is a pretty ugly thing when viewed up close; I hope that the international community will begin to seriously work together to put an end to the scourge.

[DebbieandJerry]

We picked this cruise because of the stops: Puerta Vallarta and overnight in Cabo. We never really intended to take excursions as this will be our umteenth time at these ports. But to hear that Puerta Vallarta is infultrated as well is disturbing. It has always been a safe, no crime tolerated island. I know that this was an isolated incident in an isolated part of the port. I guess what puzzles me is if it happened last week at this place, what will stop banditos from "hitting up" other cruise excursions???

Crime happens. Can't live in fear. That's one of my mottos.

[scalise12]

IT'S COMING TO A POINT MEXICO JUST MIGHT BE DROP AS STOPS IN THE FUTURE, WE WON'T DO THE MEXIAN RIVERIA AGAIN. DO TO THE DRUG PROBLEMS, HELL JUST LOOK OUR BORDRES IN TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA & CALIFORNIA.

YES THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE, WE JUST HAVE TO BE AWARE WHAT IS AROUND US.

[RayColey]

A number of years ago, I was on a bus going from Santa Marta to Barranquilla (Colombia) and a pickpocket tried to lift my wallet. The other passengers on the bus stopped him, beat him up and threw him off the bus (the bus didn't stop moving for this operation, either). That was a time when crime was not tolerated in Latin America. Should be a time we return to.

[KeithnRita]

No Mexican Riviera cruises are on the horizon for us. We did one a few years ago. Granted, this could happen almost anywhere, however it's not a surprise it happened there.

[lashl]

The drug cartel in Mexico is very strong. Having taken a two hour car ride from Vera Cruz a couple of years ago and going through 3 Mexican Federales check points with the Mexican Army in full combat gear it is apparent the problem is serious.

[DebbieandJerry]

Another reason why we didn't sign up for any excursions or plan to leave the ship. We truly booked this cruise for the vacation aspect of being on the ship.