Ah, that long-awaited cruise to Mexico. White-sand beaches. Margaritas under the palms. Bloody heads rolling past your feet.

Yeah, Mexico has a problem. And it's becoming the Port of L.A.'s problem too. The big three cruise lines are ending or cutting back on their trans-Pacific trips to Mexico from L.A.

Part of the reason, at least, is the drug-related violence that has affected many facets of life south of the border and even in the West Coast tourist Mecca of Acapulco, where the headless bodies of 15 young men were discovered earlier this month.

Not good for tourism, for sure.

And so Royal Caribbean's L.A.-based Mariner of the Seas is Mex-bound no more. Ditto Norwegian's Norwegian Star. Carnival's Carnival Spirit is abandoning its San Diego base. And its Splendor, which caught fire in November, won't be back on the Mexico route for a while.

That means, according to MSNBC, that most of L.A.'s Mexico-bound cruise-ship business is a ghost town for now.

Of course, you can always drive. But we recommend Baja Cantina in Venice for that touristy, oh-so Corona-commercial vibe — without the hassle of being decapitated.

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