I got this second hand, I was not at the meeting but am confident it is accurate and hopefully will will be confirmed by others.
Yesterday afternoon, the new Mayor and his staff held a meeting with local HOA reps and realtors, to provide an update on Peñasco’s ongoing development:
Cruise Port Believe it or not, this is finally becoming a reality! Congress has approved an initial 190 million peso budget to get started right away (total investment is estimated at 600 million pesos). Formal announcement, with a commitment from at least one cruise operator, is expected the beginning of February, with construction to commence in March or April. So, say "hasta luego" to Wrecked at The Reef, Mar Blu, Reef RV Park, etc. Renderings and designs were displayed, showing two 330 meter platforms, which will accommodate ships capable of carrying 4000 passengers, plus 2500 crew. Projected completion date is January, 2015!
Convention Center Construction is progressing very nicely. They plan to have it completed and ready for business by the end of the year.
Airport A contract with Aeromexico is expected to be signed within the next couple weeks, based on funding split between Mayan Palace, the government, and local businesses, to subsidize empty seats, until the flights become profitable for the airline. Actual service will commence 90 days after the contract is signed, so we’re probably looking at late April or early May. The route will connect us with Hermosillo and Las Vegas, both of which are large hubs, connecting flights from all over the world.
City Streets New paving to be concrete, rather than asphalt, to include Calle 12, Calle 13, road to the convention center, and a new exit from the Old Port, at the end of the malecon, over the hill.
Highways The section of highway between the airport and the Puerto Libertad coastal highway is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, with the section from the airport to Peñasco to be completed next year.
Military Check Point It’s not going away, but it will get cleaned up, with a more formal, official presence, proposed additional lanes, and signage alerting drivers 1 km in advance, along with an explanation in English, explaining that it is there for the visitor’s safety and security.
Tourist Promotion A fund has been established for advertising, with 20% of the budget dedicated toward the social networks. Of particular importance, will be some positive, proactive promo prior to Spring Break, to offset the inevitable bashing and warnings that the media and their U.S. advertisers put out every year in an attempt to keep the travel dollars in AZ.
With all this, I feel very positive about our future here. Once the cruise port has been announced, and construction has started, this will be news all over the Western hemisphere. It will be the only home port in Mexico! As a point of embarkation and debarkation, that means an influx of thousands of new faces who will be spending time and money here prior to and after their cruise.
I was at the meeting and that sums up much of it very nicely.
DH was there as well and agrees that it is a good write up of what occurred. Somewhere I think they mentioned working on the Lukeville/Sonoyta border entry before the completion of the port. With that many people arriving for cruises they would have to make the border entry more user friendly!
We've been on a few cruises and most of the people we talked to arrive at least a day early to be on the safe side, plus a lot stay a day or so afterwards in order to stretch out their cruise experience or relax before trying to catch a plane.
BUMMER!!!!!!!!! Getting rid of Wrecked at the Reef????? That place is the coolest. It’s the best thing to ever happen to that area. I don’t understand why the family that invested all that $$$ would have done so knowing that the port was on its way. That plan has been coming for a long time. I can't believe it. With the port being right there, I can see why they did so much to make it such a nice place to hang out. I pretty much figured that the RV Park would be out. Bummer to that as well. That was supposed to be my home away from home. Are you sure that Wrecked will be "wrecked" Hopefully that won’t affect the other location Wrecked at Old Port. That place is great as well. The girls that run both locations are awesome. SAVE WRECKED.... SAVE WRECKED....SAVE WRECKED....SAVE WRECKED.
I'm confident that they will simply open at a different location. They surely will get bought out of their investment if they have any there. There are no shortages of good locations. The Mirador is wide open for example.
BUMMER!!!!!!!!! Getting rid of Wrecked at the Reef????? That place is the coolest. It’s the best thing to ever happen to that area. I don’t understand why the family that invested all that $$$ would have done so knowing that the port was on its way. That plan has been coming for a long time. I can't believe it. With the port being right there, I can see why they did so much to make it such a nice place to hang out. I pretty much figured that the RV Park would be out. Bummer to that as well. That was supposed to be my home away from home. Are you sure that Wrecked will be "wrecked" Hopefully that won’t affect the other location Wrecked at Old Port. That place is great as well. The girls that run both locations are awesome. SAVE WRECKED.... SAVE WRECKED....SAVE WRECKED....SAVE WRECKED.
Randy and crew will make any of their new digs just as cool as Wrecked, we love it too and they took a dive of a bar and made it the coolest ever. No worries they will succeed.
I know the port is good news to the locals and those that have business interests but I really see no benefit to those of us that enjoy going down for weekends as well a week here and there. It just makes the place more "touristy" which is what most us wish to avoid. People will now have to plan trips down that work around the departure and arrival dates because the border will be one big cluster @#$&. The whole cruise port idea still makes me scratch my head as I just do not see the typical cruiser traveling by car into the big bad scary country of Mexico. Not to mention as we all know it only takes one shooting or one virus to turn the place into a ghost town. Well, I am sure the fine Mexican government and the investors know what they are doing....
Figure a bus of cruisers would have 60 people on it.Each person might have 300 bucks cash,iPhones,high end hearing aids,multiple copies of Bill Orielly books,some nice ice and high quality Perscription pain medications. I might be taking up highway robbery....
I wasn't at the AMPI meeting, but the next day they had one with all the business owners, which I attended. Roberto, your source is right on the money. For years, when asked about the home port, I've responded with "it's too early to get excited". Well, now I can say, the money is allocated and this is a reality. Javier Tapia has been in talks with the cruise lines. I was surprised when Miguel Guevara said that no home port exists between San Diego and Argentina.
About the checkpoint: They aren't going to do away with it, but are looking to have it moved.
I wasn't at the AMPI meeting, but the next day they had one with all the business owners, which I attended. Roberto, your source is right on the money. For years, when asked about the home port, I've responded with "it's too early to get excited". Well, now I can say, the money is allocated and this is a reality. Javier Tapia has been in talks with the cruise lines. I was surprised when Miguel Guevara said that no home port exists between San Diego and Argentina.
About the checkpoint: They aren't going to do away with it, but are looking to have it moved.
They've needed to do something about the border entry for sometime. And most of the bottleneck seems to be on the USA side, coming and going. I know on a cruise you can basically get checked in before ever getting to the ship - maybe they can do something like that for the cruise buses coming down or flights in.
I heard about a semi load caught at Nogales a few days back. An entire semi load !! Why would you chance losing a load like that unless the fix was supposed to be in.
I heard about a semi load caught at Nogales a few days back. An entire semi load !! Why would you chance losing a load like that unless the fix was supposed to be in.
I heard about a semi load caught at Nogales a few days back. An entire semi load !! Why would you chance losing a load like that unless the fix was supposed to be in.
Because it's the shittiest MJ in the game and it grows in fields at the cost of nothing. There was pry another semi in the other lane same thing, made it through. They don't miss the MJ as much as the inbound $$$$$$$$$$$ busts. Money doesn't grow on trees but Marijuana does :mexico:
I know the port is good news to the locals and those that have business interests but I really see no benefit to those of us that enjoy going down for weekends as well a week here and there. It just makes the place more "touristy" which is what most us wish to avoid. People will now have to plan trips down that work around the departure and arrival dates because the border will be one big cluster @#$&. The whole cruise port idea still makes me scratch my head as I just do not see the typical cruiser traveling by car into the big bad scary country of Mexico. Not to mention as we all know it only takes one shooting or one virus to turn the place into a ghost town. Well, I am sure the fine Mexican government and the investors know what they are doing....
I don't mean to be smart, but I think the last thing they are worried about is U.S. tourists, can you imagin the millions of Mexicans, Brazilians, Arabians, Central Americans, Chinese, Japanese the rest of South America, that cant get visas into the U.S. but would like to cruise the Sea of Cortez..We have an international airport now and it makes it very easy...Mexico does'nt have the restrictions to get into the country that the U.S. has. I think the place could be over run with big money now from all over the world, they are already starting to show up here in Penasco. I myself am brushing up on my Portuguese.
Yeah, I am sure those people will be storming the airport with all of those international flights coming in.
This project is a boondoggle if I have ever seen one. After year two of near empty cruise ships you will be left with nothing but another eyesore that Rocky Point is becoming famous for.
Yeah, I am sure those people will be storming the airport with all of those international flights coming in.
This project is a boondoggle if I have ever seen one. After year two of near empty cruise ships you will be left with nothing but another eyesore that Rocky Point is becoming famous for.
I agree with you about Rocky Point, but don't under estimate the Sea of Cortez.
I heard also, just heard, never saw it in writing, passengers will be able to board or leave the ship at any of its destinations, so its not going to be just a round trip. That is a huge plus.
Yeah, I am sure those people will be storming the airport with all of those international flights coming in.
This project is a boondoggle if I have ever seen one. After year two of near empty cruise ships you will be left with nothing but another eyesore that Rocky Point is becoming famous for.
I'm afraid you're right. Though I wish it would work I feel we will end up with the equivalent of an empty new intl airport -- but worse -- because the beachscape will be marred. Penasco is too hot in summer and too cold in winter (for winter tourists - who want to swim in the sea). Way too few intl tourist will fly all the way here to fill 4,000 pax ships. Many drivers from the US will be skittish about this -- (cruisers aren't a very intrepid lot). For the town, it would be GREAT if it works, but I am afraid this is a "govt money will make things happen" belief that won't pan out. But the cruiselines will sign on, say they tried it for a year or two, and then have the stop they have been wanting to help make up for destination fatigue -- which is a big drawback to their Mexican Riveria offerings, (Everyone has been to Vallarta and Cabo many times). At the very least Penasco gets a big construction project, but I wish the forces that be would concentrate on who the various demographics who visit now, and not try to reinvent the town into an imagined destination it won't likely ever be. For myself, I'm glad there's the East Beaches to turn to, when the time comes.
I think they went too big. 4,000 passenger ships are a nightmare. Let's face it, PP will never be Miami, nor do most people want it to be. They should have been satisfied with something smaller.
I'm afraid you're right. Though I wish it would work I feel we will end up with the equivalent of an empty new intl airport -- but worse -- because the beachscape will be marred. Penasco is too hot in summer and too cold in winter (for winter tourists - who want to swim in the sea). Way too few intl tourist will fly all the way here to fill 4,000 pax ships. Many drivers from the US will be skittish about this -- (cruisers aren't a very intrepid lot). For the town, it would be GREAT if it works, but I am afraid this is a "govt money will make things happen" belief that won't pan out. But the cruiselines will sign on, say they tried it for a year or two, and then have the stop they have been wanting to help make up for destination fatigue -- which is a big drawback to their Mexican Riveria offerings, (Everyone has been to Vallarta and Cabo many times). At the very least Penasco gets a big construction project, but I wish the forces that be would concentrate on who the various demographics who visit now, and not try to reinvent the town into an imagined destination it won't likely ever be. For myself, I'm glad there's the East Beaches to turn to, when the time comes.
(FWIW: I hope I am completely off the mark)
i'm no cheer leader, but at its peak, visits to Penasco were 1.6 million a year or an average of about 31,000 a week. The spanish have been back in town, arabs have bought and still may be buying east of town, people from Miami and Key West have been here and also lots of Mexico City people that bought land during the boom starting to come back, checking on things. Just like any business though things can go wrong and this is the right place for them to go wrong.
I heard also, just heard, never saw it in writing, passengers will be able to board or leave the ship at any of its destinations, so its not going to be just a round trip. That is a huge plus.
No cruise line would ever allow this. They need a captive audience to make money and people starting or ending their cruise whenever and wherever is a logistical nightmare. This will be nothing more than a cruise port for some older ships that don't command the big dollars and can no longer service the premium ports. There is plenty of money to be made from Mexicans who do not have a visa and from Americans looking for that $349.00 per person weeklong vacation.
No cruise line would ever allow this. They need a captive audience to make money and people starting or ending their cruise whenever and wherever is a logistical nightmare. This will be nothing more than a cruise port for some older ships that don't command the big dollars and can no longer service the premium ports. There is plenty of money to be made from Mexicans who do not have a visa and from Americans looking for that $349.00 per person weeklong vacation.
i think these cruises will be managed differently, if people think they are going to run a whole lap of the Sea of Cortez for $349.00, they are crazy, with 2500 employees to pay on the boat, fuel, maintenece, food for guest.s and employees, at 4000 passengers thats only 1.4 million dollars.....thats nowhere close to what it would cost to run that trip, even in an old boat. I forgot the dock workers, dock fees all that has to come from somewhere. I know they call me Carnac, but I truly don't know anything more than what i have heard, like I said in a different post, I havent seen anything in writing, signed by a cruise ship company.
i think these cruises will be managed differently, if people think they are going to run a whole lap of the Sea of Cortez for $349.00, they are crazy, with 2500 employees to pay on the boat, fuel, maintenece, food for guest.s and employees, at 4000 passengers thats only 1.4 million dollars.....thats nowhere close to what it would cost to run that trip, even in an old boat. I forgot the dock workers, dock fees all that has to come from somewhere.
I think you're right, Bill. Just look at the map of existing home ports I think there will be more than enough people who will opt to start their cruise here rather than fly to Miami or San Diego.
We don't have to wait for the project to be completed for the community to benefit from it. As soon as construction kicks in, the activity, employment and money flowing through the stores and restaurants will improve...as will the overall feel of the city.
Those of you who lament the loss of tranquility...just remember...that's what others said (or thought) when you got here.
I think you're right, Bill. Just look at the map of existing home ports I think there will be more than enough people who will opt to start their cruise here rather than fly to Miami or San Diego.
We don't have to wait for the project to be completed for the community to benefit from it. As soon as construction kicks in, the activity, employment and money flowing through the stores and restaurants will improve...as will the overall feel of the city.
i think these cruises will be managed differently, if people think they are going to run a whole lap of the Sea of Cortez for $349.00, they are crazy, with 2500 employees to pay on the boat, fuel, maintenece, food for guest.s and employees, at 4000 passengers thats only 1.4 million dollars.....thats nowhere close to what it would cost to run that trip, even in an old boat. I forgot the dock workers, dock fees all that has to come from somewhere. I know they call me Carnac, but I truly don't know anything more than what i have heard, like I said in a different post, I havent seen anything in writing, signed by a cruise ship company.
All the more reason why the home port is starting to look like Boomerfest. There is no way they will ever fill a 4,000 passenger ship week after week cruising around the Sea of Cortez. Just as they will never sell a $3,000 dollar ticket to see some aging rock bands (that of course, still can't be named). Cruises to Mexico are soft and most cruise lines have all but abandoned Mazatlan. The Mexican Riviera will never be a premium cruise destination. These cruise lines make money by filling cabins at low rates and then selling things such as upgraded dining, alcohol, shore excursions, gambling (except Disney Cruise Line). All of the talk about the home port sounds great until you really start to examine things. Only then (much like Boomerfest) does it seem like someone came up with a great idea and put very little thought into its execution.
All the more reason why the home port is starting to look like Boomerfest. There is no way they will ever fill a 4,000 passenger ship week after week cruising around the Sea of Cortez. Just as they will never sell a $3,000 dollar ticket to see some aging rock bands (that of course, still can't be named). Cruises to Mexico are soft and most cruise lines have all but abandoned Mazatlan. The Mexican Riviera will never be a premium cruise destination. These cruise lines make money by filling cabins at low rates and then selling things such as upgraded dining, alcohol, shore excursions, gambling (except Disney Cruise Line). All of the talk about the home port sounds great until you really start to examine things. Only then (much like Boomerfest) does it seem like someone came up with a great idea and put very little thought into its execution.
Oh, they've done plenty of thinking and research. I think they know what they're doing and that's precisely why it's taken this long to put it together. Derek Winzer of Sandy Beach Resorts has been involved in this project for years. The Vidanta Group ain't no dummies either. They've been over, around and through it all. Last but not least, the Federal government.
I know there are people here who think Mexico is a backwards place good only for margaritas and hiding from child support obligations, DUIs, or a long rap sheet, but ex-president Felipe Calderon has just been offered a fellowship at Harvard, so obviously we do have a couple of smart people in Mexico.
Boomerfest stunk from the outset. Comparing the two just shows you aren't paying attention to the details, which might be expected from someone who comes down for the occasional weekend, but cynicism from a well-traveled sort like you who chose this fair city as your full-time home? Hmm...
Oh, they've done plenty of thinking and research. I think they know what they're doing and that's precisely why it's taken this long to put it together. Derek Winzer of Sandy Beach Resorts has been involved in this project for years. The Vidanta Group ain't no dummies either. They've been over, around and through it all. Last but not least, the Federal government.
I know there are people here who think Mexico is a backwards place good only for margaritas and hiding from child support obligations, DUIs, or a long rap sheet, but ex-president Felipe Calderon has just been offered a fellowship at Harvard, so obviously we do have a couple of smart people in Mexico.
Boomerfest stunk from the outset. Comparing the two just shows you aren't paying attention to the details, which might be expected from someone who comes down for the occasional weekend, but cynicism from a well-traveled sort like you who chose this fair city as your full-time home? Hmm...
Still Rosy this is no layup. it is much like a public funded convention center.About half of them are lead weights on the tax payers...stadiums from bond issues too. google these things and the problems pop up. The water issue is another worry.
Oh, they've done plenty of thinking and research. I think they know what they're doing and that's precisely why it's taken this long to put it together. Derek Winzer of Sandy Beach Resorts has been involved in this project for years. The Vidanta Group ain't no dummies either. They've been over, around and through it all. Last but not least, the Federal government.
I know there are people here who think Mexico is a backwards place good only for margaritas and hiding from child support obligations, DUIs, or a long rap sheet, but ex-president Felipe Calderon has just been offered a fellowship at Harvard, so obviously we do have a couple of smart people in Mexico.
Boomerfest stunk from the outset. Comparing the two just shows you aren't paying attention to the details, which might be expected from someone who comes down for the occasional weekend, but cynicism from a well-traveled sort like you who chose this fair city as your full-time home? Hmm...
Rosie, I'm with you :) Over the decades (lots of decades) that I've been coming to Penasco I've seen how creative the people are when they have had little to work with. I've seen them tackle problems and find answers while the tourist sits there bemoaning the fact that there isn't a nearby store where they can just go buy it new. As you so ably pointed out, the Home Cruise Port has had a lot of time, thought and money already put into the dynamics. While I would love Penasco to have remained the Penasco of my youth, it wasn't ever going to happen and wouldn't have been fair to the people that were born here and needed jobs, housing, water, etc. in order to continue living here. The port will make a dramatic difference in the economics of the town and will bring new people here to enjoy it's beauties and the friendship of it's people.
My 2¢ --
Just because they are building a port to accommodate 2 4000 pax cruise ships, doesn't mean that's what size will be using it. At least not at first. They can start with smaller ships and then if that's successful, they can bring in bigger ships. It's cheaper to build the port larger from the beginning than to have to retrofit later.
Oh, they've done plenty of thinking and research. I think they know what they're doing and that's precisely why it's taken this long to put it together. Derek Winzer of Sandy Beach Resorts has been involved in this project for years. The Vidanta Group ain't no dummies either. They've been over, around and through it all. Last but not least, the Federal government.
I know there are people here who think Mexico is a backwards place good only for margaritas and hiding from child support obligations, DUIs, or a long rap sheet, but ex-president Felipe Calderon has just been offered a fellowship at Harvard, so obviously we do have a couple of smart people in Mexico.
Boomerfest stunk from the outset. Comparing the two just shows you aren't paying attention to the details, which might be expected from someone who comes down for the occasional weekend, but cynicism from a well-traveled sort like you who chose this fair city as your full-time home? Hmm...
It is what it is...there is no cruise ship on the planet that allows guests to pick and choose their embarkation and debarkation points unless is it is a month long cruise or one of the residence cruises. No cruise ship sells rooms, slots dining rotation or makes a profit by selling a cruise in this manner. I would be happy to listen to facts if you care to lay them out for us.
If you are pointing to Calderon as your poster boy for Mexican intelligence, this conversation ended long before it started.
It is what it is...there is no cruise ship on the planet that allows guests to pick and choose their embarkation and debarkation points unless is it is a month long cruise or one of the residence cruises. No cruise ship sells rooms, slots dining rotation or makes a profit by selling a cruise in this manner. I would be happy to listen to facts if you care to lay them out for us.
If you are pointing to Calderon as your poster boy for Mexican intelligence, this conversation ended long before it started.
Hell, I don't know how smart he is...Harvard thinks he's smart. I'm guessing he's at least as smart as me and you...well, maybe you. I never discussed embarkation points. But Kea is absolutely correct. No one said that 4,000-passenger ships were coming. They said the port would be able to handle vessels that large.
It is what it is...there is no cruise ship on the planet that allows guests to pick and choose their embarkation and debarkation points unless is it is a month long cruise or one of the residence cruises. No cruise ship sells rooms, slots dining rotation or makes a profit by selling a cruise in this manner. I would be happy to listen to facts if you care to lay them out for us.
If you are pointing to Calderon as your poster boy for Mexican intelligence, this conversation ended long before it started.
Where in Rosy's post does she state that the cruises will operate any differently than any other "traditional" cruise ship modus operandi, i.e. you board and depart from the same location? In this case, Penasco. Further, where do you get off professing to be a foremost authority regarding all things Mexico? Please state your qualifications so that we can all bow to your imminent intelligence, experience and qualifications.
Whatever size the boats are, I have heard ( and from more than 1 person) they will be used as a means of transporting people port to port, not like a typical, Long Beach to Cabo cruise. There are more way's of making money, (like charging for the service) with a boat than selling trinkets and drinks to the passengers, even people that do jump on and off will buy something on the boat.....It works fine for the airlines.
Whatever size the boats are, I have heard ( and from more than 1 person) they will be used as a means of transporting people port to port, not like a typical, Long Beach to Cabo cruise. There are more way's of making money, (like charging for the service) with a boat than selling trinkets and drinks to the passengers, even people that do jump on and off will buy something on the boat.....It works fine for the airlines.
Pry a means of transporting something else too, sniff sniff....
Still Rosy this is no layup. it is much like a public funded convention center.About half of them are lead weights on the tax payers...stadiums from bond issues too. google these things and the problems pop up. The water issue is another worry.
Of course it isn't a layup. And speaking of convention centers, I'm still looking at this one sideways, at least until I have an idea who's gonna run it and how. I just think comparing it to Boomer Fest is wrong. There's no comparison.
I may be a simpleton when it comes to high finance, but if the Federal government has millions to spend, no matter what the country, it will either get spent or squandered. I'd rather they throw it in this direction and put people to work.
My Father-In Law ( may he rest in peace) once fell of a cruise ship docked. My Mother-in Law ( may she rest in peace) seen him crawl out of the water to meet her on shore. Oh Brother.... True story
Whatever size the boats are, I have heard ( and from more than 1 person) they will be used as a means of transporting people port to port, not like a typical, Long Beach to Cabo cruise. There are more way's of making money, (like charging for the service) with a boat than selling trinkets and drinks to the passengers, even people that do jump on and off will buy something on the boat.....It works fine for the airlines.
Let's develop a bunch of pangas to swarm the ships, and follow them from port to port, selling tacos, T shirts, etc. Should be a real money maker.