Port Loreto Closed to Cruise Ships: What Happened to This Beautiful Mexican Port?
By Jenny Simon - Cruise Muse
September 13, 2026
September 13, 2026
If you have ever visited Loreto, Mexico, you probably understand why I was so disappointed when I discovered that Loreto had disappeared from my upcoming cruise itinerary.
I first visited Loreto aboard the Majestic Princess in 2025, and it quickly became one of my favorite ports of the entire cruise. Loreto has a completely different feeling from some of the larger Mexican cruise destinations. It is a small, beautiful town surrounded by the Sea of Cortez, with stunning islands, incredible marine life, and a much more peaceful atmosphere.
So, when I saw Loreto listed on my upcoming Grand Princess itinerary, I was really looking forward to going back.
Then I checked my itinerary — and Loreto was gone.
Princess had replaced Loreto with Guaymas, Mexico. What surprised me even more was that I had not received an email or other notification about the change. I simply happened to check my itinerary and discovered it myself.
Naturally, I wanted to know: What happened to Loreto?
I first visited Loreto aboard the Majestic Princess in 2025, and it quickly became one of my favorite ports of the entire cruise. Loreto has a completely different feeling from some of the larger Mexican cruise destinations. It is a small, beautiful town surrounded by the Sea of Cortez, with stunning islands, incredible marine life, and a much more peaceful atmosphere.
So, when I saw Loreto listed on my upcoming Grand Princess itinerary, I was really looking forward to going back.
Then I checked my itinerary — and Loreto was gone.
Princess had replaced Loreto with Guaymas, Mexico. What surprised me even more was that I had not received an email or other notification about the change. I simply happened to check my itinerary and discovered it myself.
Naturally, I wanted to know: What happened to Loreto?
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Why Did Loreto Disappear From Cruise Itineraries?
As I started researching, I discovered that the story was much bigger than a simple cruise itinerary change.
In April 2026, Mexico issued a decree changing the legal status of the Port of Loreto to allow high-seas and cabotage operations. The change raised concerns among local residents, fishermen, tourism operators, environmental organizations and others who were worried about the potential impact of increased large-vessel traffic on Loreto Bay and its marine ecosystem.
Loreto is home to the Loreto Bay National Park, a protected area in the Sea of Cortez that is particularly important for marine life.
One of the biggest concerns involved the area's blue whales.
As I started researching, I discovered that the story was much bigger than a simple cruise itinerary change.
In April 2026, Mexico issued a decree changing the legal status of the Port of Loreto to allow high-seas and cabotage operations. The change raised concerns among local residents, fishermen, tourism operators, environmental organizations and others who were worried about the potential impact of increased large-vessel traffic on Loreto Bay and its marine ecosystem.
Loreto is home to the Loreto Bay National Park, a protected area in the Sea of Cortez that is particularly important for marine life.
One of the biggest concerns involved the area's blue whales.
Loreto and the Blue Whales
Loreto Bay is an important habitat for blue whales, and the whales return to these waters as part of their seasonal cycle.
In March 2026, Mexico's National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) announced the sighting of a rare albino blue whale in Loreto Bay National Park. It was reported that at least 30 individual blue whales had been identified in the area that season, including a mother and calf.
That certainly puts the importance of this beautiful part of the Sea of Cortez into perspective.
Environmental groups argued that allowing increased large-vessel traffic could create additional risks for whales and the protected ecosystem, including concerns about underwater noise and other impacts associated with large ships.
Loreto Bay is an important habitat for blue whales, and the whales return to these waters as part of their seasonal cycle.
In March 2026, Mexico's National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) announced the sighting of a rare albino blue whale in Loreto Bay National Park. It was reported that at least 30 individual blue whales had been identified in the area that season, including a mother and calf.
That certainly puts the importance of this beautiful part of the Sea of Cortez into perspective.
Environmental groups argued that allowing increased large-vessel traffic could create additional risks for whales and the protected ecosystem, including concerns about underwater noise and other impacts associated with large ships.
Mexico Reversed the Port Decision
The story took another turn just a few weeks later.
On May 25, 2026, Mexico formally repealed the decree that had changed Loreto's port status.
Then, in July, Mexico's environmental authorities made the government's position very clear. Under the direction of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, cruise ships would not be allowed to operate in Loreto as high-seas vessels.
Mexico's environmental agency also announced that cruise-ship arrival requests were being denied for 2026 through 2030, while the government works on new regulations for navigation in Loreto and updates the management framework for the protected area.
So, although Loreto has welcomed cruise passengers in the past — including during my own visit in 2025 — the situation has now changed.
And that is why Loreto disappeared from my upcoming Grand Princess itinerary.
The story took another turn just a few weeks later.
On May 25, 2026, Mexico formally repealed the decree that had changed Loreto's port status.
Then, in July, Mexico's environmental authorities made the government's position very clear. Under the direction of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, cruise ships would not be allowed to operate in Loreto as high-seas vessels.
Mexico's environmental agency also announced that cruise-ship arrival requests were being denied for 2026 through 2030, while the government works on new regulations for navigation in Loreto and updates the management framework for the protected area.
So, although Loreto has welcomed cruise passengers in the past — including during my own visit in 2025 — the situation has now changed.
And that is why Loreto disappeared from my upcoming Grand Princess itinerary.
I truly loved visiting Loreto, and it is a place I would happily return to. I hope that in the future there will be a way for cruise passengers to experience this beautiful destination again while also protecting the incredible marine life and natural environment that make Loreto so special.
Until then, I’ll be grateful for the memories I made there — and I certainly hope I’ll have the opportunity to visit Loreto again someday.
Have you ever visited Loreto? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.
This article accompanies my YouTube video about the removal of Loreto from my Grand Princess itinerary.
Until then, I’ll be grateful for the memories I made there — and I certainly hope I’ll have the opportunity to visit Loreto again someday.
Have you ever visited Loreto? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.
This article accompanies my YouTube video about the removal of Loreto from my Grand Princess itinerary.
My Sugar Scrub Quick side note — I’ve been making a handmade sugar scrub for five years, and it’s finally on Amazon! It’s made with organic coconut oil, lavender, and sugar crystals, leaving your skin glowing, soft, and smooth. Perfect for a little self-care while you’re relaxing on your cruise.
Have you experienced port changes or port closures before? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.
