The Mexican port of Manzanillo has once again received a visit from Royal Princess cruise ship, one of the most impressive passenger ships that regularly call at this Pacific terminalIts new stop, which adds to a growing history of arrivals in the area, consolidates the municipality of Colima as a regular stop on international cruise routes.
The arrival of this ship, considered among the three larger ships that have docked in ManzanilloThis reinforces the port's position within the Pacific tourist circuits and reveals the sustained interest of shipping companies in this destination, which combines port infrastructure, tourism offerings and security for operations.
A giant of the sea among the largest to have visited Manzanillo
with something more than 330 meters in lengthThe Royal Princess is just one step below other giants that have arrived in Manzanillo, such as the Norwegian Bliss and the Norwegian Encore, which are slightly over 333 meters long. Despite this slight difference, its presence in the Colima harbor represents a milestone in terms of size and capacity.
This ship is part of the fleet of Princess Cruises, one of the leading cruise lines in the international cruise sector. Its design is geared towards offering a complete vacation experience, with a combination of accommodation, dining, leisure and services that place it in the high end of the market.
One of the most striking features of the ship is the SeaWalk glass walkwayA structure that juts out from the hull allows passengers to walk on a transparent surface overlooking the sea. This attraction has become one of the Royal Princess's iconic features and a popular draw for those who embark on its itineraries.
The ship has more than 1.400 cabins with balconyThis allows many passengers to enjoy direct ocean views throughout the journey. This configuration enhances the appeal of stops in ports like Manzanillo, where passengers can admire the coastal environment even before disembarking.
In addition, the Royal Princess offers the well-known show "Movies Under the Stars"This open-air cinema experience on deck has become one of the company's most distinctive offerings. This type of service helps differentiate the cruise line's product in an increasingly competitive market.
Key stop of the 2025-2026 season in Manzanillo
In the current 2025-2026 cruise season, the Royal Princess has called at Manzanillo as eighth ship to arrive at the port within the official calendar. The Undersecretary of Tourism of the Government of the State of Colima has confirmed that this arrival is part of a program that seeks to maintain a constant flow of cruise ships throughout the period.
The cruise ship arrived at the port of Colima on Friday, December 12, docking early in the morning, around 7 pmand remaining at the terminal until mid-afternoon, approximately 16:00 PM. This time frame allows thousands of passengers Explore the city and book various tourist services before the ship resumes its journey.
On board the Royal Princess on this occasion were some 3.300 passengers, accompanied by about 1.320 crewThe combination of tourists and service personnel represents a considerable volume of temporary visitors for a single day, with a direct impact on the city's commercial activity.
The itinerary that includes Manzanillo is part of a trip to 14 days through Baja California and the Sea of ​​CortezThe cruise originates in Long Beach, Los Angeles (California, United States), and arrives in Manzanillo from Puerto Vallarta, later continuing towards Mazatlán, in the state of Sinaloa, following a classic route of the Mexican Pacific.
On this tour, Manzanillo is configured as the second port which the Royal Princess visits as part of its port call schedule and also as the second Mexican destination which it touches on the crossing. This position on the route gives the port of Colima a relevant role in the overall experience of cruise passengers.
Economic impact and tourism projection for Manzanillo
The regular arrival of ships of this size implies a significant economic impact for the municipality. Each scale implies a temporary increase in the demand for services, which is noticeable in sectors such as restaurants, local commerce, organized excursions, transport companies and tourism service providers.
For many businesses in the area, the arrival day of a cruise ship like the Royal Princess translates into a significant increase in sales and service bookings, which helps to boost the local economy and maintain direct and indirect jobs linked to tourism activity.
This flow of visitors also benefits tour guides, artisans and small businesseswho see cruise tourism as an opportunity to showcase their products and work to an international audience. Manzanillo thus takes advantage of the arrival of these ships to strengthen its offering of cultural, gastronomic, and leisure experiences.
State and municipal authorities emphasize that the continued presence of the Royal Princess and other international cruise ships reaffirms the Shipping companies' confidence in Manzanillo and the state of Colima as safe and competitive destinations. This support is interpreted as an indicator of stability and good functioning of the port infrastructure.
The Government of the State of Colima, headed by the current administration, has emphasized its intention to continue to promote tourism activity linked to the seaUnderstanding cruise tourism as a key complement to other segments, from sun and beach tourism to nature or business tourism.
A consolidated relationship between the Royal Princess and the port of Colima
The Royal Princess's most recent port call is not an isolated event, but a new chapter within a relationship that dates back to at least October 2019The ship made its debut in the port of Manzanillo on that date. Since then, the ship has maintained a recurring presence on the arrival schedules.
According to data released by the authorities, the Royal Princess usually make at least one annual stopover in ManzanilloThis stop has been integrated into different seasons and routes. This recurrence has helped the local population and economic sectors of the municipality become familiar with the cruise ship system.
The regular navigation of this ship has also allowed the port to gradually adjust its operations for assisting large vessels, optimizing docking, disembarkation and passenger embarkation times, and coordination with the different security, immigration and customs agencies.
In parallel, local tourism institutions have taken advantage of these years to expand and better organize the range of excursionsGuided tours and short experiences are offered, tailored to the limited time available during layovers. The aim is to allow passengers with only a few hours on land to discover the highlights of Manzanillo.
This context has consolidated Manzanillo's image as a port prepared for large cruise shipsThis could positively influence the scheduling decisions of other companies interested in incorporating the city into their Eastern Pacific tours.
The Royal Princess's latest stop in Manzanillo once again highlights the growing importance of this Pacific port on international cruise routes: a ship over 330 meters long, carrying thousands of passengers and crew, which has been calling regularly since 2019, generates a direct economic impact on local businesses and services. consolidates the municipality as a strategic stop within the itineraries through Baja California and the Sea of ​​Cortez.
