Posted on 02/12/2021 12:08:56 PM PST by SJackson
As the cruise industry reaches the one year mark of being shutdown, Cozumel has proposed it transition from port of call to homeport.
During a radio interview, the mayor of Cozumel proposed allowing cruise ships to sail from the island so that cruises could restart in the Caribbean more easily.
Riviera Maya News posted the transcript of a radio interview by Pedro Joaquín Delbouis, where he said he has reached out to at least one cruise with the proposal.
In his frustration that the cruise industry remains shutdown, Mayor Delbouis thinks cruises could sail from Cozumel to destinations in the Caribbean.
"There is constant communication with the United States authorities and the Caribbean Cruise Association and there is nothing scheduled for this first quarter, so together with the Secretary of Tourism, we propose that we be a home port."
"There is still no answer with the US lines, but we are in talks with the MSC, which managed an itinerary through the Caribbean without touching North American soil."
"If they cannot leave from the United States, let them make a route to the Caribbean sailing from Cozumel."
Cozumel has long been a destination for cruise ships to visit, but sailing from the island would present a series of challenges, including facilities for embarkation, supplies, and getting passengers easily to the island.
Mayor Delbouis added he thought sailings could include stops in places such as Havana, Cuba or Progreso, Mexico.
His idea is to have, "one or two weekly departures from here."
The Mayor did concede that the plan would not be easy to get started, "We know that supply logistics is not easy at all, and more so from an island, but it can be done."
In a separate statement, Mayor Delbouis called on Mexico's federal government to provide support for the plan, "The cruise ships could sail from Cozumel, but we need the support of the federal government."
The key to having cruise ships sail from Cozumel is based on the construction of the fourth cruise ship dock in Cozumel, which began work in October 2020.
Mayor Delbouis said the dock could be the perfect facility for Cozumel to transition from port stop to embarking passengers.
On social media, Mayor Delbouis insisted this idea needs both federal and state government support so that the port could make cruise lines see Cozumel as their port of departure for Caribbean sailings.
Good idea. Wouldn't be surprised to see other islands follow. Not good for Florida, which would please the administration.
Oh yes, punish Florida because the governor is a strong republican. Never mind is is right now one of the most pro-business, most-freedom, and prospering states.
Democraps like cutting an ear off to spite the nose.
If you ever get a chance to scuba or snorkel at Cozumel: “GO!”
So beautiful....
Biden works quick.
MSC is my daughters favorite cruise line. Beautiful ships and very clean. And they are growing all over the world.
This looks like an opportunity for MSC as they don't have a lot of money invested in USA ports, and could certainly lure Americans down to the Caribbean Mexican Island of Cozumel to cruise the Caribbean, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Mexican Riviera, and not have to worry about the CDC and BIDEN Restrictions. -Tom
Brilliant move by Mexico.
“Not good for Florida, which would please the administration.”
Yep. The US will be cutting itself out of millions of tourist dollars, port fees and maintenance contracts. But, as none of the people in government have a stake in what they do to others, it’s easy to drive the others out of business. And, this won’t be just for this year or next year. Once you do something to arbitrarily screw someone, the corrective action they take is likely to be permanent. (Like the thousands of businesses that have left California.)
As Victor Davis Hansen said, “Liberals to not have to live with the consequences of their actions.” But, the rest of us do.
They do. They play the long game and they don’t care what they destroy in the process. The VAST majority of people who service the cruise ships while they’re in port are laborers....and minorities. And, I bet a significant majority of those workers voted for Biden.
With direct flights from more places in the US, it would make sense.
Been there several times. First and best was in the 70's. Fairly primitive. Beautiful water.
I like Cozumel because its off the mainland so not much cartel related violence. Fun thing to do is to rent scooters and do a trip around the island.
Favorite little spot to eat is off on one of the back streets. If you walk by you’d just think it was a small fish market, but go to the back and they have a nice restaurant.
To many hurricanes for a cruise port?
Why not? If we’re turning it down, somebody’s got to do it. It’s too bad...Charleston built a whole new facility, and now it’s going to go unused. And of course parts of Florida make their living on the cruise business, but naturally the Dems don’t want that to continue.
The states have got to stand up and start resisting. This is killing them, and it’s particularly targeted at the red states.
Well wait until April. I’ll be there in March.
Make all the resorts and hotels Covid Free Zones for Vaccinated Only!
Vaccinated Only cruises!
With millions of newly vaccinated 65+ ready to spend their pent up wealth, this is the perfect way to make the future happen.
Vaccinated Only allowed in!
Vaccinated=Immunity=FREEDOM
Leave the filthy anti-vaxxers to their infected squalid ghettos...
Come party with us!
It will be g!orious
Then again, maybe this is a ruse to get the cruise lines to pay for an expansion the islanders can't afford, or maybe they'll try to con them into building some YUGE fresh water containment facility, which the townsfolk get to use free as part of the deal.
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