Sep 16
Cruise Line Port Expansions
Posted by Sharon
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The ChicagoTribune.com recently ran an article on the ever growing expansion of cruise line port destinations. Because of the sheer number of ships and the demand for more destinations, cruise lines have responded by widening cruise itineraries and building new state-of-the-art ports. Take for example Carnival - the company “not only built an entirely new port on Grand Turk, but made it a destination in itself with its own swimming pool, beach, shops and the region’s biggest Margaritaville restaurant”.
The pressure to attract cruisers to new and exciting destinations is also another reason why ports such as Icy Point Straight (Alaska), Costa Maya (Mexico), Hobart (Australia), and Stockholm (Northern Europe) have come to be. US ports such as Mobile, Charleston, Baltimore, Jacksonville and New York City which rarely hosted cruise ships in the past, are now fast becoming a hub to provide more convenient embarkation and disemberkation points for passengers. Even the world’s biggest cruise ports - Miami and Port Everglades - are expected to add several new terminals in the next few years.
It might only be a matter of time until the coastal cities we have always wanted to take a cruise to will be open for business.
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Last year our ship stopped at the new Costa Maya port. It was still a work in progress and there was absolutely nothing around but the pier. Unless you booked a toyr there was nothing to see. We had ventured several times previously to the ruins, Cancun and Cozumel and opt to stay on board and enjoy the tranquility of the ship.
TravelForever, Costa Maya really was hit hard during the last hurricane and the new port was built in a hurry to accomodate the cruise lines docking there.
I’m sure in time, it will be restored into its former glory.
In the past, all the cruises I had ever taken had docked in Cozumel.
So you are saying that the Costa Maya port really isn’t worth then?
What I am saying, is that you either have to make arrangements on board ship for a tour or with a cab driver at the port because it is not walking distance to Cancun or any of the ruins. The following lines go to the Yucatan Peninsula so check them out. We had been many times to the ruins and opted to stay on board and have the ship to ourselves. I believed we had spa treatments that day. And they usually have specials when the ship is in port.
NCL Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean Intl
Costa Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cruise Line
Holland American Cruise Line
If I remember right Costa Maya has a lot of plans in the works. I remember reading somehting about that. So I would think in the next year or two it will be built back up.
Most likely it will with resorts. But unlike Consumel´s port, there is no established town there.
They will establish this port as it is closer to the ruins. But as opposed to the present ports, exsisting villages are there, so if you did not want to do a tour, you could independently walk around and take in the local culture.
Mostly likely some resorts will be built near the pier.
Taking in the local culture would be fine with me. I love to take in and learn about other cultures. Seeing them is the best way to learn about them I think.
3Plus3, it just all depends on what interests you to do when you get to the port. After the hurricane, there’s been a lot of clean up especially that the port itself was hit really hard.
You still have the white sand beaches, underwater excursions and such. It’s still beautiful and all of the cruise lines still go to that port.