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Lines drop tours involving Cozumel ferries after security alert

(File photo: Anne Kalosh)
A security guard watches over cruisers arriving at Cozumel in this file photo. The alert involves public ferries linking Cozumel to the Mexican mainland
Cruise lines including Carnival and Royal Caribbean have canceled shore excursions that make use of ferries between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen and are strongly urging passengers to avoid ferries to the Mexican mainland.

This follows a security alert from the US Embassy in Mexico City after undetonated explosive devices were found March 1 by Mexican law enforcement on a tourist ferry that links Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. The US Embassy said an explosive device detonated on a tourist ferry in Playa del Carmen on Feb. 21, resulting in injuries, including to US citizens.

'We have canceled all ship-sponsored tours that make use of ferries between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen and we are strongly advising our guests that ferries from Cozumel to the mainland be avoided,' a Carnival spokeswoman said.

'In an abundance of caution we are canceling sponsored shore excursions that involve tourist ferries only,' a Royal Caribbean spokesman said. 'We are also discouraging our guests from taking part in independent excursions that involve ferry travel.'

Cozumel is the Caribbean's busiest cruise destination.