Tampa to Cancun ferry

[Magnolia3]

Put in this forum as so many go to Mexico.. It is a future alternative to air fare and rentals... or not.. lets see where it goes. So far Its not active but this latest article states that permits filed for a landfall near Playa del Carmen from Tampa.
Surely an alternative to dealing with TSA and weight limits for gear. Still a ways off, but worth keeping an eye on..

Previous article on this stated that the Port of Tampa... will have to make some improvements with a drive on/off ramp to accommodate the ferry. I have to wonder if it _is_ the port of or port tampa..
Last ferry we had failed for lack of users... hope this one makes it.. would be wonderful. I did the math and even at the regular price, the cost of round trip plane fare, and a rental car it still saves money. ymmv
'bella

Tampa to Mexico Ferry

Tampa to Mexico Ferry Steaming Ahead

January 31, 2012

In November, we wrote about the planned Tampa, FL to Mexico ferry service. All indications point to the fact that the ferry service is moving closer to becoming a reality. Por Esto!, the main daily paper in the region, reported today that the permits to add facilities to accommodate an international ferry service in the port of Calica, just south of Playa del Carmen, have been filed. If everything goes well, the article goes on to say, the ferry could be in service as early June/July 2012 2013 (updated 3/16/12).
Knowing how long these type of projects take in Mexico, a June/July completion date is likely aggressive. But, this is exciting news nonetheless. Each year in Cozumel, we get lots of visitors who make the car trip down the coast of Mexico from the US or Canada. A ferry service that can get these visitors, and their car/pets/belongings, here in 1/2 the time that the overland trip takes, would be oh so convenient.
Not to the mention of course the convenience of being able to travel back to the US/Canada for the thousands of expats who make this region of Mexico home.
Update 3/16/12: The Tampa Bay Business Journal is reporting that the ferry service will be delayed until early 2013. We’ll see if it ever happens now.

 

[Magnolia3]

Add another thought to this scenario. Drive to Tampa from wherever.....and on the way down you can stop and dive our beautiful Florida springs... a win win dive trip in my book!

 

[DandyDon]

Wonder what the cost and travel time would be?

Each year in Cozumel, we get lots of visitors who make the car trip down the coast of Mexico from the US or Canada.

Really? I see one poster under the story who wants to get a SUV from Colorado to Isla Mujeres, many times a year?! Well, it'd be around 800 miles less driving each way and not driving thru bandito areas, but still quite a journey to avoid car rentals. After arriving south of PDC, one would still need to wait for the car ferry to Coz or IJ.

 

[Mossman]

On the other hand, it makes my idea of bringing one's own compressor and tanks that much more feasible.

 

[mike_s]

According to the linked article, they've delayed this Ferry until 2013

A few different Mexico and US newspapers are reporting this week that a Tampa, FL to the Cancun area ferry service is slated to be operational in [-]the second half of 2012[/-] 2013 (updated 3/16/12).

​

As a note, I've seen several of these Ferries pop up out of Tampa to Cancun over the years. They aren't in business long. Make sure you've got some way to get a refund in case they close. (credit card, trip insurance, etc).

 

[mathauck0814]

Car ferries that span far shorter distances that serve populations that have actual requirements (e.g., getting folks to work) require heavy government subsidy. I don't see how this is viable unless there are a few hundred people/day in the western Florida area that would use it.

 

[DandyDon]

I'm afraid it'd be two boring days at sea. If there was one out of Galveston, I'd still want to fly - but then it's 600+ miles for me to there even. My daughter drove it with kids last winter. Worried me both ways.

 

[kixy1]

I'm afraid it'd be two boring days at sea. .

Now, if you could DIVE off it on the way down....

 

[Magnolia3]

I'm afraid it'd be two boring days at sea. If there was one out of Galveston, I'd still want to fly - but then it's 600+ miles for me to there even. My daughter drove it with kids last winter. Worried me both ways.

Since I the plan is to make the retirement move to either Merida or Chetumal, having my own car is needful.
For me the drive would be from St. Pete to Brownsville, cross the border and south.. single gringa making the drive... yeah sure.. I have a few male friends that would tie me up, and hide me in a closet before they would "allow" me to make that kind of drive... not so much the distance but the country, and travel warnings.

The last ferry was canceled right about the time it started to make money, no reason given. I could see this making it, IF it were marketed right.

Don, sailing takes me 5-7 days to Isla Mujeres from St Pete.. 36 hrs IF the wind is right st pete to cayo hueso, swing down near cuba to beat the stream then swing back up to Isla.. then down the coast to wherever I plan on making landfall. another day or two...Two days on a ferry would be bliss for me. And If I were to take a ferry, I could pack the car with 'essentials' each trip back. I have family local to west coast florida. A ferry with a car back and forth is just as cheep as flying.

I talked to USAA today and they have a mexican partner for car insurance... cost is relatively inexpensive and they insure a lot of expat vets and their cars..

As for the time frame.. it takes time to get permits and create the necessary dockage.. again success lays in marketing..

 

[Magnolia3]

Car ferries that span far shorter distances that serve populations that have actual requirements (e.g., getting folks to work) require heavy government subsidy. I don't see how this is viable unless there are a few hundred people/day in the western Florida area that would use it.

A per day trip is not viable.. but a once or twice a week could be lucrative. Marketing is the key... esp if they put a casino into the deal.. I could see ppl just going over and back for the casino aspect.