The popular port of Costa Maya will be back on cruise itineraries starting this summer. The storm-ravaged Mexican destination announced plans today to reopen in July with two fully functional berthing spaces, and it also said all the major lines that have called there in the past have committed to return.
Costa Maya, the Western Caribbean’s first port designed exclusively for the cruise ship industry, is strategically located just hours from Cancun on Mexico’s southern Yucatan Peninsula. Resembling an ancient Mayan city, Costa Maya is able to accommodate three ships at once and entertain visitors to a destination that showcases the ancient and colonial heritage of the Mexican Caribbean with all of today’s conveniences. Set against the deep turquoise sea, Costa Maya is comprised of three grand pavilions, artisan and luxury shopping areas, a beach club, saltwater pools, fine restaurants and bars, and all the resources necessary to explore the surrounding jungle and coral reefs.It is the region’s most complete and diverse port of call providing cultural, natural and archeological excursions. Costa Maya is one of only six ports in the Western Caribbean to receive over one million passengers per year.
Hurricane Dean almost totally destroyed Costa Maya last August, causing extensive damage to its pier and facilities. At first it looked like the destination wouldn't reopen until this coming September, but by January officials were confident that they could reopen by summer. Today's announcement sets a specific month and confirms that major lines will return.
Among the lines that Costa Mayan officials say have agreed to return are Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Holland America, Disney and Cunard. Officials say the rebuilt piers will be capable of handing the industry's biggest cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean's record-setting, 5,400-passenger Genesis vessels debuting in 2009.
Officials also announced that a third berth would open at Costa Maya by November.
