Hope swells in Progreso as 28 new cruise arrivals announced

Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise-goers arriving in Yucatán were often received to the beat of traditional music and folkloric dancing. There has been no word if and when these performances are expected to make a return. Photo: Courtesy

Carnival Cruises has announced that 28 of its upcoming voyages for 2021 will dock in Progreso. 

State authorities are projecting that the state could welcome as many 98,000 cruise line passengers before the end of the year.

The news comes as Progreso prepares to welcome the Carnival Breeze, its first cruise ship in over a year.

The Breeze is expected to arrive in Progreso from Galveston Texas on July 26 with 500 passengers aboard, a fraction of its capacity.

The cruise giant has announced that all of its passengers and crew will have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the ship sets sail.

Although under normal circumstances the Breeze is capable of comfortably transporting thousands, Carnival Cruises says it remains cautious for the time being. 

Earlier: Cozumel schedules 24 new cruise-ship arrivals for June and July

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, cruise ship passengers disembarking in Progreso spent an average of US$76 during their time in Yucatán, according to information provided by DataTour Yucatán. 

But for the foreseeable future, all disembarking passengers will have to stay huddled together with cruise ship minders to ensure COVID-19 protocols are being followed — which will likely impact their buying habits. 

Carnival Cruises has not announced what activities and excursions their passengers may participate in during their time in Yucatán, but it is unlikely that they will be allowed to venture far.

Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, popular day trips for cruisegoers included visits to the archeological sites of Dziblichaltún and Chichén Itzá, as well as bird watching tours featuring pink flamingos.  

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