Fearing Mexico?

My friend Eddie, a World War II veteran, called me this morning to say he wouldn't be getting off the cruise ship in Mexico on his upcoming Mexican Riviera cruise. Why?

Eddie said the news on TV reported it wasn't safe to go to Mexico because of drug-related violence.

He wasn't the first person to mention this to me. Another frequent cruiser, E.E., related almost exactly the same thing, and my buddy Sam essentially prohibited his daughter from going to Mexico.

Should you be afraid?

No place on earth is 100% safe, including your home town. Bill Cosby used to joke about a guy walking down nothing but dark alleys with twenty dollar bills hanging out of his pockets, so he could practice his newly learned karate skills. If you want to be attacked, it's just that easy.

However, as long as you're not taking unnecessary risks, there's no reason to fear taking a Mexican Riviera cruise. Don't wander into bad areas, and don't believe some man or woman you just met can be trusted like your best friend. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Sticking with the ship shore excursions is a safe bet, especially for older travelers. Should something go wrong, ship personnel may help resolve the issue and get compensation for you.

In any case, the cruise lines will point you in the right direction to avoid trouble, and if any port ever does prove to be dangerous to their passengers, you can bet cruise lines would make itinerary adjustments. Right now, there are nine ships in Southern California cruising to the Mexican Riviera, and even more visit the Caribbean side or transit the Panama Canal. When you look at it statistically, you are safer on a cruise than taking the freeway to work.

However, it won't be long until most of these great ships in the warm waters will head to summer homes in Alaska or Europe. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy a Mexican Riviera cruise. Aren't you ready to escape winter for a week? Eddie sure is. And, by the way, he will be taking some shore excursions, just like he safely has on his other fifty or so cruises to the Mexican Riviera.