Why do Hawaiian cruises stop in Mexico?

Okay, so, Hawaiian cruises stopping in Mexico? It’s so annoying! Right? Like, you’re all excited for this Hawaiian vacation, picturing pineapples and ukuleles, and BAM! You’re stuck in Ensenada. Why? That darn Jones Act, that’s why. Seriously, this thing is ancient! Over a century old, can you believe it? It basically forces these cruise ships to stop at a foreign port before going inter-island in Hawaii. Which makes zero sense to me.

I mean, imagine this: you’re planning a road trip up the California coast, but a weird law says you have to drive through Tijuana first. Ridiculous, right? That’s kinda what this feels like. It adds extra travel time, extra expense…who wants that? I remember reading somewhere – I think it was a travel blog? – that the Jones Act makes Hawaiian cruises something like 40% more expensive! Forty percent! Crazy, right?

And think of all the beautiful US ports they could be visiting instead! Places like Kauai or Maui, maybe even a quick hop over to the mainland. My friend went on a cruise that stopped in Ensenada and she said, while it wasn’t bad, it wasn’t exactly what she had in mind for her Hawaiian dream vacation. It just felt like wasted time.

Repealing this outdated law, wouldn’t that just be amazing? It would open up so many possibilities. More island hopping, supporting more local businesses in our country… Gah, it just seems like such a simple solution. So yeah, that’s the deal with the Mexican stops. A real bummer, if you ask me.