On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Puerto Vallarta celebrated a major milestone in its tourism recovery with a high-impact double cruise arrival. The spotlight was on the Royal Princess, the flagship of Princess Cruises, which docked at 8:00 AM. Carrying 5,318 people (3,979 passengers and 1,339 crew), its arrival serves as a definitive “vote of confidence” from the cruise line, which had temporarily paused its calls earlier this month. This visit is particularly symbolic as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of Princess Cruises, a partnership that began in 1965 and helped put Puerto Vallarta on the global tourism map.
Joining the Royal Princess was the Norwegian Bliss, making its third successful stop in just 15 days. The Bliss brought an additional 6,390 people (4,788 passengers and 1,602 crew), bringing the total daily influx of “floating population” to over 11,700 visitors. This massive surge in arrivals provides a critical economic injection for local tour operators, restaurants, and shops during the peak of the Spring Break season.
Port authorities at ASIPONA noted that these arrivals demonstrate the “resilience and sovereignty” of Puerto Vallarta as a top-tier destination. For local residents and businesses, the sight of two world-class vessels in port simultaneously is a clear signal that the maritime sector is operating at full throttle once again.
Source: El Arsenal
