Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Carnival spoils the Carnaval

The annual pre-Lenten Carnaval ended in Mazatlan last night with the disturbing news that Carnival cruises will be avoiding the port until it is convinced that its passengers will be safe while ashore. Mazatlan is in Sinaloa, a state notorious for drug running. A Canadian tourist — not a Carnival passenger — was wounded when caught in cross fire last month and three passengers reportedly were robbed. While cruise ships remain only a few hours in port, passenger spending benefits the local economy and Carnival will be missed. Worse, other cruise lines may follow its example.


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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

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