Cruise Ships visiting Zihuatanejo Bay
Until recently, the arrival of cruise ships into our wonderful bay was a fairly occasional thing between the end of September and May, which is Mexico's cruise ship season - the time of year that we do not have hurricanes or tropical storms going by along our coast, and the skies are clear and the waters calm. During the past couple of years, however, cruise ship arrivals have escalated and we are seeing ships in our harbor much more often - and at times two and sometimes three are in port at the very same time...
Some of the ships that visit our small bay are super luxury liners of incredible size with passengers numbering into the thousands; others are smaller, more intimate cruise liners with a lesser capacity.
In the recent past plans had been made to construct a large cruise ship terminal and dock within the confines of Zihuatanejo Bay itself. Although some of the local politicians and business people argued for the construction of the facility, the greater part of the local population protested the proposed action in favor of saving the natural surroundings of one of the most beautiful enclosed bays along the whole of the Pacific coast. Information on the ecological impact of such a move, as well as thorough documentation on the struggle the community entered in to while fighting for the preservation of the bay and township, can be found on the SOS Bahia website (Movement for the Rescue and Preservation of the Bay of Zihuatanejo)
Following are brief descriptions and stats on some of the larger cruise ships that have frequented Zihuatanejo Bay during the yearly cruise ship season. In addition to these, we also see ships from the Holland America Line, Crystal Cruises, P&O Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd.
Norwegian Cruise Line
NCL cruise ships are easily identifiable - beside being the largest ships in the bay, they are brightly decorated with multicolored graphics gaily scattering back from their white bows. These ships offer "Freestyle Cruising", allowing you to choose between several international restaurants, a number of bars/lounges, a variety of pools and hot tubs, and a whole range of stateroom styles and activities on every cruise. Two of the NCL cruise ships that frequent Zihuatanejo bay are:
Norwegian Sun
Length: 848 feet (259m); Beam: 108 feet (33m); Draft: 26 feet (8m); Speed: 23 knots; Tonnage: 78,309
Guest Capacity: 2,002 double occupancy, 2,400 passengers maximum,
Number of Crew: 968Norwegian Star
Features the choice of 3-bedroom 5,750-square foot rooftop Garden Villas, with private garden and hot tub, for your accommodation. All staterooms have TV, fridge, safe and private bathroom. Suites and penthouses have private balconies.
Length: 296m; Beam: 33m; Draft: 8m; Speed: 25 Knots; Tonnage: 91.740
Guest Capacity: 2,240 passengers double occupancy
Number of Crew: 1,100
Carnival Cruise Line
The Carnival cruise ship bears the highly visible and easily identifiable blue-and-red Carnival Reverse-C logo on both its bow and its stack.
Carnival Spirit
The Carnival Spirit, with the public areas on her 12 decks decorated with an art deco motif, offers Total Choice Dining, allowing you to choose between a number of restaurants and supper clubs for your dining experience.
Tonnage - 88,500, length - 960 ft (293m)
Guest capacity: 2,124 double occupancy; Total of 1,062 staterooms, 750 with private balcony ; Number of crew: 930
Princess Cruises
The Princess Cruise ships that frequent our bay are imposing, glitteringly-white ships of massive proportions.
Dawn Princess
Features over 400 balcony staterooms on her 10 decks, gourmet and informal dining options, a variety of lounges and entertainment spots, spa/gym, 4 swimming pools, golf and business centers, casino and shopping gallery.
Length 261.3m; Tonnage: 77,499; Speed: 21 knots
Guest capacity: 1,950 passengersRegal Princess
Features over 700 staterooms on 12 decks, cafe and pizzeria as well as gourmet dining restaurants, casino, sports court, running track and fitness center, shopping arcade and faclities for many other activities
Length: 247.2m; Tonnage: 69,845; Speed: 22.5 knots
Guest capacity: 1590 passengersGolden Princess
This ship offers 3 formal dining rooms and 3 show lounges, several pools and over 700 balcony staterooms with private balconies as well as other accommodation. There is a variety of bars and lounges, a large casino, sports bar, putting course, spa, gym and many other sports options as well as wedding chapel, internet service and wheelchair access to most public areas and staterooms on this 13-deck luxury liner.
Length: 290m; Tonnage: 109,000; Speed: 24 knots
Guest capacity: 2,600 passengers
Celebrity Cruises
Ships of the Celebrity Line are easily identifiable by the large X visible on the stack, as well as the distinctive black-bands-on-a-white-hull pattern.
Mercury
The Mercury offers a variety of lounges, bars and clubs, a Golf Simulator and other activities options, elegant restaurant service and onboard spa.
Length: 866 feet (264m); Beam: 105.6 ft. (32.2m); Draft: 25.5 ft (7.77m); Tonnage: 77,713; Speed: 21.5 knots
Guest capacity: 1886 passengers