Carnival Corp.’s pier at Puerta Maya in Cozumel, Mexico -- closed since being damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005 -- will officially reopen when the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Fantasy visit on Oct. 16. Representing an investment of more than $50 million, the new two-berth pier has been constructed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and can accommodate any ship among Carnival Corp.’s cruise brands. In addition to the newly rebuilt pier, Puerta Maya’s nine-acre cruise center, which features a wide variety of shops and restaurants, will also reopen, along with a four-acre transportation hub capable of accommodating dozens of taxis and tour buses. Four rental car facilities will be available as well.
The Oct. 16 calls by the Carnival Fantasy and Ecstasy will be the first of 550 cruise ship visits at Puerta Maya over the next year. In addition to calling at Puerta Maya, vessels from Carnival Corp. brands will continue to utilize the other two piers in Cozumel. Collectively, these ships will bring annually to Cozumel an estimated 1.5 million visitors, who are expected to spend $126 million on the island each year. Puerta Maya’s cruise center houses 42 outlets offering apparel, fine jewelry, artwork and other merchandise from such recognizable retailers as Goodmark Jewelers, Del Sol, Piranha Joe’s, Dufry and Diamonds International. The facility also features 15 stand-alone carts where local merchants market handmade crafts, costume jewelry and souvenirs. On-site dining options within the Puerta Maya complex include the Tres Amigos Bar, a new theme restaurant inspired by the 1986 hit movie starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short. The waterfront eatery -- the first of its kind in the Caribbean -- offers traditional Mexican fare, along with an extensive beverage menu.
Also featured is Pancho’s Backyard, a new franchise from the downtown Cozumel eatery featuring ocean views, as well as Fat Tuesday, a waterfront bar offering frozen drinks and light snacks, along with a DJ and dance floor. Other retail outlets at Puerta Maya include a pharmacy, convenience store and international pay phones. There is also a newly constructed shore excursion pier, separate from the main pier, which allows for quick and convenient access to water-bound excursions, as well as water-based transportation to and from the facility. The Puerta Maya pier and cruise center is located on the southwestern part of Cozumel, approximately five miles south of San Miguel, the island’s largest city.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center on Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, closed since Hurricane Ike slammed the island on Sept. 6, reopened Oct. 8 with the arrival of the 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny.
Cruise passengers swam in the center's massive pool, sunbathed on the 800-foot-long private beach and dined at the on-site Margaritaville restaurant and lounge.
Shops at the 13-acre site reopened as well.
Shore excursions were available, including a tour of Gibbs Cay, an offshore snorkeling sot; dune buggy rentals; swimming with horses; and fishing and snorkeling expeditions.
The island's former hop on/hop off bus tour currently is operating as a post-hurricane island tour. Guests are charged a nominal fee for the tour and are given a pledge card if they wish to donate to the United Way's Grand Turk hurricane relief fund.
The $60 million Grand Turk Cruise Center, operated by Carnival Corp., opened in 2006 and is the largest private employer on the island. Cruise center staff, along with shore excursion operators, comprise approximately 80% of non-government jobs on Grand Turk.
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