Cruises are back to Puerto Vallarta

In May 2021, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC released a Conditional Sailing Order for cruises.

After a rigorous process that represented an extraordinary effort for cruise lines to comply with the design of specific protocols, specific facilities, training, and even simulated voyages, cruises can apply for a COVID-19 conditional sailing certificate.

After 17 months, last August 21, the Carnival Panorama cruise was the first to sail from Long Beach to Mexican Riviera and return to Puerto Vallarta. This is a 7-day cruise departed from Long Beach, California.

This ship has a guest capacity of 4008 plus 1,450 crew staff. Therefore, to keep guest security, this cruise only held around 2,750 guests. The crew is vaccinated, and 97% of the passengers have been vaccinated.

Carnival Cruise Line has planned trips to over 50 000 passengers to live the wonderful experience of visiting Mexico ports like Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Ensenada, and our lovely Puerto Vallarta during the last quarter of 2021.

Cruises Health care measures

Cruises have developed protocols and procedures with medical experts’ participation and are adaptable to the Center of Diseased and Control (CDC) guidelines.

This allows to boost the sector and communities economy and at the same time protect guests, crew, and all the cities they visit.

Before check-in

Passengers need a pre-cruise  COVID-19 testing (PCR or antigen) for fully vaccinated guests 3 days before embarkation.

From September 13, the window established by the CDC for the testing will be 2 days before shipping.

Carnival line plans to have Mobile testing sites available before September 13 to comply with this regulation and make it easy for their guests. However, it will have a fee.

Guest must show original vaccination/ Personal Electronic Health Record before shipment. Fully vaccination must be at least 14 days before the sailing date. The vaccine type, dates, and lot number must be clearly visible.

All passengers will complete a questionnaire 72 hours before sailing.

Vaccine exemptions

Vaccine exemptions are limited to a small number of children under 12 and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and must show a medical certificate.

These passengers need a prior PCR COVID-19, and an additional antigen test before boarding and at the end of the trip.

Also, travel insurance. Mask is mandatory in close and open spaces; Social distance is also required.

These guests must remain with their trip companions and at least 6 feet from others in indoor spaces and 3 feet outdoors; Guests only will ashore in the ports in a cruise bubble tour.

At the cruise

Masks are mandatory indoors except for eating or drinking.

They must wear a mask at every embarkation and debarkation process during the trip.

Hand washing sinks and sanitizer dispensers are available in strategic spots in the cruise for a healthy onboard environment.

Positive COVID-19 on board

According to CDC guidelines, ships have medical centers prepared for diagnosis, testing, and contacts tracing.

Patients must remain in quarantine until the medical center determine so.

Mexico health measures

Visitors must follow the local health measures. Although the cruise crew will inform about the current health measures before arriving in every port, here is an overview of essential health measures in Mexico and particularly in Puerto Vallarta.

There is a national guideline issued by the Federal Government following international protocols. Still, also, every state in the country has been making specific decisions during the pandemic.

The national vaccination campaign has been designed to focus on Mexico’s leading tourist destination due to the importance of the country’s economic development.

In the case of Puerto Vallarta, vaccination campaigns during the year have been active and permanent.

Vaccines have been well received in general for Mexican citizens. So, in this city, many citizens are already fully vaccinated to protect themselves, visitors, and no stop tourism activities.

According to the tracking by the National Health Ministry and the State University, the governor based on this data and knowledge of Universidad de Guadalajara experts, define the maximum allowed capacity of hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, tours, beach, casinos, malls, gyms, cinemas, theaters, etc., among other specific measures to avoid infections in every Jalisco city.

This local task force makes a weekly conference and announces the maximum capacity and other measures based on the collected data. Therefore, the conditions that prevail are changing due to Covid-19 cases register in every city of Jalisco.

Due to the Delta variant, as in many places in the world, Puerto Vallarta registered an increase of Covid-19 cases last July for the first time since the pandemic. Fortunately, they had a sustainable downward due to special measures like close Nightlife in the city in August.

Mainly health measures are wearing a mask in public spaces and practice social distance.

So, when you visit Puerto Vallarta, bring your mask and sanitizer with you, practice social distance and respect the capacity limit established on restaurants, cafes, stores, museums, galleries, etc.

For September, hotels can operate at 80% maximum capacity, restaurants 50% maximum capacity, Nightlife is already open at 25%, casinos at 60%, malls, and supermarkets at 75%.

In general health, measures adjust the average maximum capacity of restaurants, malls, bars, museums, casinos, gyms, spas, etc.  And in a few cases, a schedule is set for the beach.

This and other health measures ensure visitors and community safety.

Get in the cruise

Other cruises lines plan to start operations on the Mexican Riviera the rest of 2021, like Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian.

We strongly recommend you check with your cruise line the health measures onboard and the Covid specific requirements before and at the check-in.

Puerto Vallarta terminal, Muelle de Cruceros, is ready to receive thousands of visitors again to enjoy this magical paradise and generate significant economic benefits to the city.

Do not hesitate to search to contact your favorite cruise line for planning a marvelous trip around the extraordinary Mexican Riviera.

In case you fall in love with Puerto Vallarta like most of their visitors and want to make this paradise your home or vacation place forever, contact Ryan Donner y Asociados, professionals in real estate.