Puerto Vallarta welcomed more than 5,000 cruise passengers and crew members on August 11, as the Navigator of the Seas made its second scheduled visit to the destination this month.
The Royal Caribbean ship arrived at 7:00 am after sailing from Mazatlán, Sinaloa. It brought 3,843 passengers and 1,257 crew members, for a total of 5,100 visitors. Many left the ship during its stay to explore Puerto Vallarta before the vessel departed at 6:00 pm.
Cruise guests had several hours to experience the city, with visitors heading to popular areas such as the Malecón, Historic Center and Marina Vallarta. Others spent time at beaches, restaurants and shops or joined organized excursions in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding communities.
The arrival also created additional business for local restaurants, retailers, transportation companies, tour operators and other tourism providers. Cruise tourism remains an important part of the local economy, particularly during the summer months when cruise traffic across the Mexican Pacific is generally lower.
Despite the seasonal slowdown, Puerto Vallarta continues to welcome some of the largest ships operating in the region. The Navigator of the Seas is scheduled to return on Tuesday, August 18, followed by Carnival Panorama on Thursday, August 20.
The final cruise arrival currently scheduled for August will be Crystal Symphony on Friday, August 28. The luxury vessel is smaller than many of the ships that regularly call on Puerto Vallarta, but it carries more than 600 passengers and is expected to provide another boost to tourism activity near the end of the month.
Cruise traffic is expected to increase significantly beginning in mid-September, when Puerto Vallarta’s annual cruise high season is expected to begin. The arrival of more large vessels will bring additional opportunities for local businesses and tourism providers as the destination moves into one of its busiest periods for cruise activity.
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