By 2021, Yucatan will welcome 50 new cruise ships from around the world, including the Disney kingdom.
The port of Progreso has apparently interested several international cruise lines at the 26th Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference & Trade Show in Puerto Rico. (Yucatan previously hosted this convention.)
Yucatan Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal and Progreso Mayor Julián Zacarías Curi, are both shaking hands at the trade show. Yucatan’s ports are gateways to the Mundo Maya as well as to Mexico’s colonial history.
New cruises from Disney, Swiss-based MSC, Norwegian as well as Italy’s Costa Cruise Line companies were confirmed, at least on a trial basis, state officials told Sipse.
MSC had already 41 committed to cruise arrivals starting in November 2020, bringing an additional 100,000 tourists to the port city.
Disney Cruises has scheduled a pilot arrival in January 2021 to experience the services and technical facilities of the port before green lighting the subsequent arrival of more ships.
The Norwegian Getaway will bring 3,369 passengers Dec. 11.
French luxury operator Ponant is bringing its Le Champlain ship to Yucatan at least six more times; four more times this year and twice in 2020. Their well-heeled passengers will spend the night at the port, giving them more time to explore and spend in the region.
The arrival of Costa’s Luminosa was also confirmed for January, which will have more than 2,200 passengers on board. This will be the first time the Italian line has traveled to this side of the Peninsula.
The TUI and Virgin Voyages are also exploring the possibilities of future itineraries here, said state tourism officials.
Yucatan’s participation in the trade show, given the slashing of Mexico’s Tourism Promotion Council, was made possible by a collaboration other port cities. A trade show booth, called the Ports of Mexico Pavilion, was built by tourism officials representing Cozumel, Empresa SSA México, Los Cabos, Mazatlan and Progreso.
