A satellite image shows burning cars along a coastal highway in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, on February 22, 2026, following the murder of drug trafficker Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho”, in a military operation.
Vantor | Via Reuters
U.S. travel companies are scrambling to divert cruise ships and serve tourists to Mexico after violence and chaos erupted in several coastal regions of the country following the killing of a cartel leader.
The US State Department expanded its warning to travelers to shelter in place in multiple regions of Mexico, including the popular tourist spots of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum, Tijuana and Puerto Vallarta.
Violence erupted after the Mexican army killed the leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes. Known as “El Mencho,” he headed one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and for organizing brazen attacks on government officials who questioned him, The Associated Press reported.
While roads were blocked with burning vehicles, airlines canceled flights and cruise lines diverted ships to avoid ports with potential problems.
Carnival Corp. said Princess Cruises' Royal Princess and Holland America Line's Zuiderdam were avoiding their planned stops in Puerto Vallarta on Monday. Norwegian cruise line said its ship, the Norwegian Bliss, canceled plans to stop in Puerto Vallarta on Wednesday.
MSC Cruises USA said sailings to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, are currently operating as planned, but shore excursions may be adjusted or canceled.
Although royal caribbean said it currently has no boats in the affected areas, CNBC has learned that some of its excursions in Ensenada, Mexico, were affected.
Airbnb told CNBC that it had activated its “major disruptive events policy” in the state of Jalisco and other affected regions. That policy overrides the host's individual cancellation policy, allowing travelers and hosts to cancel reservations without consequences.
“We are monitoring this situation carefully and are focused on supporting guests and hosts in the affected areas,” an Airbnb spokesperson said.
In a note to investors, Truista Travel and leisure analyst Patrick Scholes wrote that Hyatt It has the greatest exposure of international brands, with 8.5% of its total rooms coming from Mexico. Marriott has the second highest exposure, with 3.3% of its total rooms coming from Mexico.
Typical travel insurance policies often include exclusions for terrorism, political violence, or civil unrest.
Squaremouth, an online marketplace for travel insurance, warned would-be travelers that “violence in Mexico is now a foreseeable event, or what the insurance industry calls a known event. Therefore, tourists cannot purchase coverage now to cancel their trip.”
However, a Squaremouth spokesperson told CNBC: “If you're heading to Mexico soon, especially over spring break, buy CFAR [cancel for any reason] or IFAR [interruption for any reason] as complements is a smart decision given the uncertainty.
