New Cruise Ship Pier?

[Brules]

From:

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/News

Cruise Ship Pier at Puerto de Abrigo Approved
Shortly a new pier for cruise ships will be built near Puerto de Abrigo hoping to increase cruise ship arrivals to the island. This high season has been restricted due to lack of piers in the wake of Hurricane Wilma, but Punta Langosta will open to more cruise ships shortly. Feasibility studies have long been completed, and any conflict with the airport landing paths has been eliminated. It is hoped that December will see the arrival of a greater number of cruise ships seeking warm destinations.

Ummmm I know it is good for the island (or so they say), but for those of us who are not poders, this has to be bad news.

And where by the north caletta would they put this thing? I didnt think there was any room up there for something like this?!?!?

 

[Christi]

From:

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/News



Ummmm I know it is good for the island (or so they say), but for those of us who are not poders, this has to be bad news.

And where by the north caletta would they put this thing? I didnt think there was any room up there for something like this?!?!?

Puerto Abrigo is north of town...not by the Caleta. My understanding is that this will replace Puerta Maya ship pier...but I could be wrong.

Regardless, the thought of a ship pier in the north end literally turns my stomach!

 

[scubawife]

I've really enjoyed Cozumel on my last couple trips with fewer ships in port. I heard about the plans for a new port a couple of weeks ago and I'm not too crazy about it. The island isn't going to get bigger and there are still only 7 days in a week. So, while the Cozumel government keeps actively and successfully soliciting new cruise business, I would like to know just where they expect a few thousand more visitors a day to go? Ships are only getting bigger. Five years ago a 2000 passenger ship was considered large. That's now considered average. Many ships that entered service since 2002 are 2700 to 3500 passengers and more.

There are other destinations in the world who did a great job of become major cruise ports only to end up destroying the natural beauty and atmosphere that originally made them so appealing. At some point when it becomes too overcrowded and can no longer offer anything unique and charming, lines will move on in search of something new to offer their passengers. There are many Caribbean islands chomping at the bit to get the business.

Post-Wilma is the perfect opportunity to spend some time and dollars appealing to land based vacationers and diversify the tourism potential instead of putting too many eggs in one basket. The sad truth is that more money is made in one day of cruise ship visits then a week of land vacationers. Right now if you mention Cozumel, most people will say one of two things - a cruise port or a dive destination. They need to start appealing to non-divers and non-cruisers as well and get them to come to Cozumel.

 

[redacted]

I'll bet the taxis are a bit unhappy with that.

 

[Brules]

I just dont see where they could possibly put it.....and have the support structure/room to build customs offices and all the other stuff they have at the other 3 piers:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...18117,-86.93224&spn=0.055386,0.10849&t=k&om=1

Seriously, from the pilots house to the Melia, isnt the ocean front packed end to end with houses/condos/hotels? I bet the locals will just be estatic about possibly loosing that public beach there north of town.....

 

[Brules]

And scuba wife, can you give some examples of past cruise ship ports of call that have gone by the way side due to poor planing/conservation etc?

 

[halocline]

Why aren't they just rebuilding the pier at puerta maya? They've already damaged that part of the shoreline and, I believe, cut through part of paradise reef. What will happen to that area now? Will they clear out all the remaining materials from the pier, or just leave the debris?

There are many, many attractive cruise ship destinations, but precious few excellent diving locations. IMO the best long term vision of Cozumel would be to do everything possible to preserve (and possibly enhance) Cozumel as a diving destination. Of course, I'm sure there are many Cozumel residents and political/business leaders that would disagree, and of course, I face none of the economic pressures they do.

 

[nyprrthd]

Sounds like they'll need a bigger Carlos & Charlies to accomodate the increase in Pod people!

 

[scubawife]

Why aren't they just rebuilding the pier at puerta maya? They've already damaged that part of the shoreline and, I believe, cut through part of paradise reef. What will happen to that area now? Will they clear out all the remaining materials from the pier, or just leave the debris? QUOTE]

They are rebuilding it, but Puerto Maya is owned by Carnival Cruise Lines and they have just very recently reached a settlement on the back port taxes CCL owes the island. The estimate that it will be about a yr and a half to have the facility 100% operational again. They are looking at removing the debris and dumb it in the deepest part of the channel.

 

[Brules]

They are rebuilding it, but Puerto Maya is owned by Carnival Cruise Lines and they have just very recently reached a settlement on the back port taxes CCL owes the island. The estimate that it will be about a yr and a half to have the facility 100% operational again. They are looking at removing the debris and dumb it in the deepest part of the channel.

Ug so 4 piers total? Yuk.

And talk about a mess when they strat dredging up the remains of puerta maya to dump in the channel, imagine how much sand/silt/debris will be stirred up by that!!! And to then re-drill/set new pier pylons that will be MUCH deeper MUCH more sturdier than previous (ie: done right this time)....will cause additional damage to that area.



It is quite depressing to think about thats for sure!