Cozumel Becomes Home Port for Cruiseships

Looks like we may run across an oldie but goodie every now and then.

Starting June 10th, the Spanish company Pullmantur, belonging to the corporate Royal Caribbean International, will start operations from Cozumel using the international dock as "Home Port" for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers.

The maiden voyage will be with the Cruiser "Monarch” accommodating up to 2,766 passengers, which has 12 decks, restaurants, bars, entertainment lounge, casino, gym, spa and rooms of entertainment, among other quality services.

Pullmantur is already promoting two new routes: the first, called "Costa Maya", of 5 nights, which will visit Belize; Roatan, in Honduras; Puerto Progreso, Yucatán and Cozumel, Quintana Roo; the second is called "Caribbean Maya", will be 7 nights and includes a visit to Cozumel, Puerto Progreso, George Town on Grand Cayman, Belize and Roatan.

Can Cozumel's airport handle that many people? Bet airfare will be high but the routes sound interesting.

Cozumel bar hop is a blast and makes this quite an attractive home port.

This would be an excellent land/cruise vacation:D

Pullmantur Cruises is the largest Spain-based cruise line. The company mainly markets to Spanish passengers, although cruises on Pullmantur ships are also sold by some travel operators outside the Spanish-speaking world. I did not realize Royal owned them too.

I would guess the cruise director is speaking Spanish as a first language... The routes do sound interesting!!!

I'm surprised Cuba isn't on their itinerary.

As a resident of Cozumel I can tell you this is a beautiful place. There is so much to do that one day on a cruise is not enough. This will be a great land and sea combination vacation. Also many are excited that they can take a cruise without flying to the states. My 2 daughters will be on the first cruise tomorrow from Cozumel.

They had a good explanation of the Pullmantur strategy at the beginning of the year.

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-magazine/feature-magazine-articles/67-articles/12002-winter-20142015-pullmantur-finding-new-markets.html

Wamos Air, formerly Pullmantur air has 4 747 aircraft. They service the cruise line with charter flights. They fly regularly to Cancun. This airline is partially owned by RCL and Springwater Capital. RCL had controlling interest in the airline until 2014. They have headquartered the airline in Panama.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wamos_Air

Wonder what dock they will use? International Pier is pretty well booked up and there will be need for a structure for processing and customs.

Last time in Cozumel this year there was construction starting on the International dock area that has been derelict since the hurricane that caused lots of damage. Maybe that's what's happening there?

Update: From the Pullmantur website it looks like Monarch will use various "Home Ports".

https://www.pullmantur.es/en/cruceros/-/cruceros/crucero-todo-incluido.html?portName=ALL-ALL&departureMonthYear=ALL&length=ALL-ALL&shipCodeValue=MO

Does Pullmantur recognize C&A status the way X and Azmara do?

I'll be interested to see how they position this ship's cruises if they target Mexican/Spanish speaking, or as a cheaper alternative to the mainstream lines.

In any case, I don't think space for customs will be much of a concern. I've been through Mexican customs... Step up to the line and press the button. If the traffic light turns green you are free to go. If it turns red you get searched. Ship's security might be a different story.

Does Pullmantur recognize C&A status the way X and Azmara do?...

So far, no loyalty reciprocity with Pulmantur.

Pullmantur does not currently recognize status with C&A. They have not established a loyalty program to my knowledge.

They have a history of using alternative 'home ports', for instance they use Malmo, Sweden for Copenhagen sailings.

RCI have made special 'last minute' offers to previous Pullmantur passengers for RCI sailings through their agents on occasion.

If you were 'to go' to one of the major online agencies you can find deals on Pullmantur sailings. They have the Cozumel sailings going for $299 inside or $399 outside.

In related news, Pullmantur appear to be adding a 7 day sailing that will call every Tuesday at Grand Cayman with Majesty from the 31st of May of 2016 after they refit Majesty of the Seas.

It is unclear where the ship will be home ported.

Royal Caribbean are also basing their new land tour company, TourTrek, at Grand Cayman and have been establishing an office there for that new division of RCL.

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Tour-company-in-development-at-Royal-Caribbean/

I am going to Cozumel in September. I hope it's not going to be insane. :(

I am going to Cozumel in September. I hope it's not going to be insane. :(

:confused:Cozumel is always insane:o

:confused:Cozumel is always insane:o

The last few times I have been there (November 2014 and March 2015) the cruise load count was around 20,000 people. That was greater than FLL on embark and disembarkation day.

I'm surprised Cuba isn't on their itinerary.

They can't. US owned cruiseline. Pullmantur used to visit Havana prior to 2006 when they were acquired by RCCL.

Former Pullmantur management tried running a ship, the Gemini, out of Cozumel and Havana with a 2 night stop in Havana in the 2010/2011 season but the venture failed. Pity, it was a great little cruise.

Monarch pulled out tonight with 189 passengers, picking up another 700 in Progresso. That is way below 50% capacity. Yet they wanted $600+ to upgrade to an outside cabin. Can not wait for my Daughters' reports.

:confused:Cozumel is always insane:o

So not true! If people were to leave the immediate port area and actually travel around to truly see the Island, there would be no insanity and crazy crowds. The cruise people will tell you not to go into un-sponsored- stores, or go back more than 2 blocks. That is all BS. It is perfectly safe here.

So not true! If people were to leave the immediate port area and actually travel around to truly see the Island, there would be no insanity and crazy crowds. The cruise people will tell you not to go into un-sponsored- stores, or go back more than 2 blocks. That is all BS. It is perfectly safe here.

I meant insane in a good way, relax

Los siento...sorry...kind of get protective of my home.

Well this is my first cruise and first time to Cozumel. I guess really don't know what is considered insane.

Well this is my first cruise and first time to Cozumel. I guess really don't know what is considered insane.

People offering you shots of tequila at 9 am, fun music being piped in port, but tons and tons of tourists :) I also suggest going outside the port limits, or even venturing to the Playa del Carmen and crossing 5th Ave and meeting natives, some of the best people there are just be smart about it.

The reports coming back from my daughters so far are not great. Evidently the hours to get food are very limited, with Dining rooms, and other dining facilities open for short hours. Room service is charged for and it is not inexpensive. More when they return Monday.

Here is a copy of my daughter's review and some answers to questions on the initial cruise leaving Cozumel.

"Ok my sister and I are back from our cruise on the Pullmantur Monarch, unfortunately for the most part it was not a good one. From embarkation things were not good. We started check in under a canopy at the international pier, this was done by ship personnel that clearly had no clue about immigration. I am on a resident visa and my sister now on a tourist visa. They had us both fill out the green immigration form (sorry can't remember form name) and then told us to head past the shops to another check in location. I told them I normally get the bottom half of form to turn in upon return they told me no. My sister had forgotten her half of the tourist one at the house, they told her she didn't need it anyways. Well needless to say when we met with immigration this morning they ended up letting me through by just redoing the form, however they wanted my sister to pay, they would not even accept that I could have the original form brought up to port in 10 minutes, they said it should have been turned in upon getting on the ship. One of the ship officers ended up paying for it but told us his staff did their jobs right by taking our photo and our credit card info for onboard.

Now onto ship review. Ship was nice and kept up for an older one. 99% of the staff was extremely friendly and helpful, if they saw us at a show or by the pool they would speak in English also. If they would see only one of us they would ask where the other was.

Food: this was probably the biggest disappointment. Buffet variety was not very good, really weird food combinations and blends. My sister and I thought this was initially a cultural thing but after speaking with others this was their opinion too. The dining room was open for dinner from 1930-2130, breakfast was available only on our sea day and today. Lunch was alway at the buffet or pizza place but with only a 2hr window normally. You had to pay for room service and menu didn't really look good. If you wanted something to drink whether it was alcohol, soda or juice you had to go to one of the bars to get it, there were no waitstaff near the pool.

There is other stuff I could comment on but I already feel long winded. I will be happy to answer any questions. I just ask that you don't flame me, this is just my opinion and experience on this cruise. I have cruised 20 plus times on other lines and thanks to the military have lived in other countries besides here. So bottom line I would say don't waste your money on this cruise, it's not worth the convenience of being so close to the port.

Unlike · Comment · Share

You, Don Beto Czm and 8 others like this.

Tim Duncan all cruise lines are getting stupid one way or the other I have ben on a cruise every year for the past 25 years and have decided to just go somewhere not on a cruise

20 hrs · Like · 2

Darlene Holt Schieber We really felt nickel and dimed. I even paid $10 to get a steak one night. Only great thing was I came out ahead at the casino.

20 hrs · Like · 4

Irma Portilla de Cantarell Its sounds horrible and unfortunate to have something right here of such low quality...how about the shows casino etc...was that part worth it

20 hrs · Like

Tim Duncan they tried to get a cruise port in pensacola the locals city gov had a fit said hell no we dont want cruise traffic in our city.... missed all that money they could be getting just crazy

19 hrs · Like

Darlene Holt Schieber We went to 2 shows and they were good as far as performance wise but the jokes between the cruise director and MC were lost in translation. Casino was nice and I came out ahead. Tim it was sad they pulled the ship from Mobile, even after the city built a nice terminal.

19 hrs · Like · 1

Teresa Miles That is correct Mobile Al. build a nice ternminal. People loved it so that could drive to catch the ship. But it was pulled. Sad for Mobile .

19 hrs · Like · 1

Karen Roy Vissage Oh Darlene, it sounds worst than a simple casino cruise. wink emoticon

18 hrs · Like

Betty Li Thank you for your review. Maybe since this was the first cruise immigration didn't know what to do. Hopefully they will get the hang of it. I was curious about the $10 for the steak. Was this in the dining room? Isn't everything on the menu included?

18 hrs · Like · 1

Darlene Holt Schieber Mark I was asked to post after returning from this cruise. This cruise is running from Cozumel, there are people here that enjoy cruising and the idea of not having to add travel expenses on top of cruise price was nice. There were people from all over Mexico and Columbia and other locations that embarked from here, therefore bringing business to this island. Like I said this was just my opinion on this if you don't like it move along, it was not aimed to impress you. I do hope they work out the kinks.

18 hrs · Like · 4

Darlene Holt Schieber Betty, I also thought "all inclusive", however if we wanted steak it was $10, shrimp was $15 and lobster was $20.

18 hrs · Like · 1

Rich Westerlage Well, guess everybody does not live here and have been excited to see if this cruise would work out. We have never taken a cruise simply because we did not want to reduce our options as to what to do and where. We were happy to find Cozumel offering this option and surely appreciate this post as it is very informative and valuable to me personally. So thank you for posting, will see if they improve as time goes on, however does not look good.

18 hrs · Like · 4

Darlene Holt Schieber I honestly would love to see it work out. I wanted to "experience" another cruise line so I did. My sister and I spoke in length with the International officer on board who previously worked for another line. He planned on taking our comments higher about the food/menu. He was also present today with immigration and was going to address the issue about the staff not being up to speed on who needs what documentation before boarding. I did save all the daily newsletters from the cabin if anyone has a desire to see them. Have a good night everyone.

17 hrs · Like · 1

Terrence Walsh Thank you for the post...it's about time something like this happened with the amount of cruise ship activity Coz should be a homeport for a line so that everyone living or visiting here could have a option of a cruise instead of just looking at those pretty ships in port...

17 hrs · Like · 1

Gary Cecil Where did you leave from and where did you go? How did you book the trip, through a travel agent?

16 hrs · Like

Gene Brown Gary Cecil This is a post that relates to a previous one, announcing her upcoming trip. This cruise line just started embarking passengers for cruises originating in Cozumel. The post is aimed primarily at folks who spend a good deal of time on the island, and also have an interest in cruising. They won't have to travel to Texas or Florida to begin their cruise.

15 hrs · Like · 1

Jen Pobiak Did you visit the spa? Would like to hear. Thank you.

15 hrs · Like

Darlene Holt Schieber We took a tour of the spa. It is not run by Stiener like other lines are. They had a few specials that were priced ok. They also carried the Elemis line of products.

6 hrs · Like · 2

Brian Tisdell How many nights and what was the price?

5 hrs · Like · 1

Darlene Holt Schieber It was 5 nights, inside cabin for $1102 for 2"