Acapulco has announced an increase in the number of cruise calls for 2017. The city’s port is now expected to see 32 ships before year’s end, up from the previously announced 28, and compared 18 for 2016.
The four additional calls are by the Norwegian Pearl, Oceania’s Sirena and Regatta.
In total, the callers this year include Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Oceania, Crystal, Saga, Hapag Lloyd and Phoenix Reisen.
Acapulco said it will continue to promote and supervise its port’s operations to attract more ships, in collaboration with cruise lines.
“Acapulco is experiencing a comeback with 14 more ships arriving this year over 2016,” said Ernesto Rodríguez Escalona, secretary of tourism of the State of Guerrero. “This increase is a testament to our commitment to growth supported by new projects and investments from both the public and private sectors.”
Earlier this year, a delegation headed by the Acapulco Tourism Board, including representatives of the port and the Acapulco Destination Marketing Office and several tour operators met with cruise lines. Acapulco said it also distributes a monthly report on its port operations to cruise lines.
Additionally, Acapulco recently announced that it will be homeport for the 1,400-passenger Magellan of Cruise and Maritime Voyages, starting in the winter of 2018 – 2019. The roundtrip cruises will make stops in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Details are expected to be worked out in a meeting between cruise line executives and city officials before the end of the month, according to a spokesperson for the tourism board.
Cruise operations in Acapulco are assisted by the Center for Tourist Attention and Protection (CAPTA), an organization recognized for tourism assistance and safety implemented for the first time in Mexico. The federal, state and municipal authorities have reiterated their commitment to the successful operation of the cruise ships in Acapulco and will continue collaborating with the cruise lines, working to resolve their concerns.
