22 Carnival Cruise Passengers Robbed at Gunpoint in Mexico

[Jeff Dunsavage]

Puerto Vallarta -- famous for, among other things, being the destination of The Love Boat in the 1970s cruise ship sit-com -- was the scene of crime last week as hooded bandits robbed 22 Carnival Splendor cruise ship passengers at gunpoint, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The passengers were traveling on a bus, several days into a cruise that left from Long Beach, Calif. The tourists, who departed California on Feb. 19 and returned Sunday, were traveling on a bus after going on a nature hike Friday when the bandits struck near the Mexican port city, according to local media reports.

The gunmen stole the passengers' valuables before fleeing. No one was reported to have been hurt during the robbery.

"Carnival sincerely apologizes to its guests for this very unfortunate and disturbing event and is providing its full support and assistance," the Miami-based company said in a statement. "Carnival is working with guests to reimburse them for lost valuables and assist with lost passports or other forms of identification."

The company has suspended the nature trail tour from its list of activities for cruise passengers.