The Mexican government will no longer welcome large cruise ships at the Port of Loreto, according to the Mexico Daily Post.

Located in Baja California Sur, the destination had been added to Mexican Riviera and West Coast itineraries following a government decree.

Published in early April, the ruling authorized the port to welcome large vessels but faced backlash from locals and environmental organizations.

The Mexico Daily Post reported that the ban on ships was announced by the head of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), Alicia Bárcena, during a working group meeting in July to regulate navigation at the port.

“By order of President Claudia Sheinbaum, there will be no cruise ships or deep-draft port in Loreto,” she was quoted as saying.

“Loreto Bay is a natural heritage site of great importance, and its regulation must be developed in consultation with the community,” Bárcena added.

Large vessels are said to pose a risk to the habitat of blue whales, which are native to the Baja California Sur region.

Following the complaints, Loreto was reclassified as a cabotage zone, meaning vessels sailing international itineraries are no longer permitted to visit the port, the local news source said.

The Integral Port Administration of Baja California Sur (APIBCS) said it had received arrival requests from cruise lines through 2030.

Cruise Industry News previously reported that Holland America canceled an upcoming call at the destination that was scheduled for the Koningsdam.

At the time of the change, the company said the decision was related to a government restriction on cruise ships.

Deployment data shows the Zaandam is currently the only large cruise ship scheduled to sail to Loreto in 2026 and 2027.

The 1,432-passenger vessel has three calls at the port planned as part of longer Baja Peninsula and Mexican Riviera itineraries.