[Greysard]

but also the safety factor of going into Mexico has to have some effect on the decision as well.

Absolutely. Cruises were expensive, are expensive and are expected to be expensive. Even if the port fees are $100 per passenger (or $200K per ship) it is still a minor part of the $5,000 that you pay for the cruise. Many people (among those who buy cruises) won't even think twice - it's not a showstopper. They pay 10x more just for airplane tickets to get to the port. It's just money, you can always earn more.

However if upon arrival to a "vacation spot" you can't leave the ship without a personal security detail and in an armored limousine - that's a problem right here. Who wants to be killed or kidnapped on their vacation? If you can't enjoy your vacation it is a showstopper. Mexico is killing its own tourist industry, among others - that's what happens when a weak, corrupt government is played as a fiddle by rich and powerful mafia.

Criminals are not known to care about the country; they will plunder whatever is left of Mexico and then move on, to the newly conquered Northern territories. Instead of marching in as an army, though, they prefer to buy their way in - and we can't do a thing about those "undocumented" "civilians" until it is too late. There is no front in this war, and no uniforms. Politicians will be denying that we are at war until the war is thoroughly lost.

[Mycroft Holmes]

Cruises are not that expensive. I have recently been on cruises on both the Princess and Nordic lines and the rates before alcohol are roughly $100 per day. This is very competitive when you consider that room and board is included. You can easily double that if you drink, but the notion that cruise line customers are price insensitive is ludicrous.

[BwanaNdege]

Go to http://www.vacationstogo.com/

They have a 7 day from Long Beach to Mexico for $469.

My wife & I got an 11 day Hawaii cruise several years ago for $599 each through this website.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The battle for Los Angeles is already lost. Los Angeles is Mexican teritory in everything but name only.

[Poundstone]

Well said!

[Atlas Sneezed]

...the $5,000 that you pay for the cruise...

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Who pays $5000 for a cruise to Mexico? I wouldn’t be surprised if you could get an occasional deal for 1/10th that.

[Alex Murphy]

....if upon arrival to a "vacation spot" you can't leave the ship without a personal security detail and in an armored limousine - that's a problem right here. Who wants to be killed or kidnapped on their vacation? If you can't enjoy your vacation it is a showstopper.

"Hey, this wasn't mentioned in the brochure!"