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Cruising could return to Mexico soon as the Mayor of Cozumel is reaching out to European Cruise companies to bring their ships to the Mexican Island.
While the United States cruise industry sits at a standstill, Cozumel, Mexico is looking to establish itself as a home port for European cruise lines to help fill the void. Mexico is no stranger to tourism during the pandemic and continues to be one of the most popular destinations during Covid-19. Cozumel Mayor, Pedro Joaquín Delbouis says they can no longer sit idle waiting for cruise ships to return from the U.S.
The Mayor is looking first to the one large cruise line already successfully sailing in the Mediterranean. MSC Cruises has been the pioneer of sailing in a Covid-19 world. The company was the first major cruise line in the world to resume sailing back on August 16th.
Cozumel is offering to be a home port for any European cruise line that is interested.
“There is constant communication with the United States authorities and the Caribbean Cruise Association and there is nothing scheduled for this first quarter, explained the mayor reported the Riviera Maya News. That is why the island of Cozumel is reaching out to European cruise line MSC that is based out of Italy.
The mayor is in talks with MSC and has many ideas on how the cruise line could reactive cruising in the Caribbean.
While no sailings are currently scheduled until at least May from the United States, the Cozumel mayor stated that cruise ships can navigate without ever having to enter the U.S.
“If they can’t leave from the United States, let ships make a route through the Caribbean sailing from Cozumel explained Delbouis. “We know that supply logistics won’t be easy from an island, but it can be done. There is still no answer with the U.S. cruise lines, but we are in talks with the MSC, which managed an itinerary through the Caribbean without ever touching North American soil.”
Mayor Joaquín Delbouis is looking at multiple sailing options including cruises from Havana and launching a route to and from Progresso, Yucatan.
With the success of MSC’s health protocols and ability to continue sailing during the pandemic, the Mayor stated that the same health protocols could lead a successful launch of cruising based out of Mexico.
Cozumel hopes to be a home port that will host one or two weekly sailings departing from the island.
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