If you have not heard, Cruise and Maritime Voyages announced a few months ago, it will begin cruising  The Sea of Cortez aboard the Astoria starting December 7, 2019 with the origination port of Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico.  Each of the scheduled cruises are 11 day adventures with stops at the ports of Topolobambo, Mazatlán,  Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Santa Rosalia, Guaymas and returning to Puerto Peñasco. Be a part of the maiden voyage today.

The Astoria has been completely redone several times overs it career but  really sports a colorful and plush interior.  The ship will accommodate 550 passengers with 277 cabins and a crew of over 200.  Smaller than many cruise ships, it will be more intimate and will allow it’s passengers the sit back and enjoy the beauty of the Sea of Cortez and all of the sea life that can be found in the Gulf of California.  Because it will be sailing south the passengers should be able to see the Whales that spend their winters in the Sea of Cortez.  They usually arrive sometimes in early January and stay for a month or 2.

It features the Ollissipo Restaurant, Calypso Show Lounge, casino, movie theatre, boutique shopping, card room, wellness center, fitness room. It has a large deck area which overlooks the  pool and pool bar.  Choose you accommodations from twin and double cabins, Junior Suites, Deluxe Junior Suites, Balcony Suites and a Presidential Suite on the 8 decks.

Cruise and Maritime Voyages  have been operating in Great Britain and are the leading independent cruise line there.  This is their first venture into Mexico and the trip is being called “Treasures of the Sea of Cortez”.  Although the “Home Port” has not been completed, it will be OK as they passengers who will mainly be coming from Arizona and the Western United States can choose to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor or Tucson International.  The passengers if they have flown in can choose to rent a car and drive down or there are shuttle services like “Head Out To Rocky Point“ can pick them up at the airport or their homes if the choose not to drive.  There may be other options of ground transportation as we continue meeting with the cruise line.

As of this writing, the Convention Center will most likely be where you can park your car if you choose to drive down and will most likely be used to receive the passengers to get their tickets and deposit their luggage.  Tenderers will take the provisions, luggage and guests from the docks to the Astoria.  At this time passengers will probably be bussed from the convention center to the docks.  Due to not having a dock to tie up to, it takes a great deal of planning to make this work like a finely tuned clock.  Puerto Peñasco is working very hard to make this a memorable excursion for everyone.

If you can’t make the Maiden Voyage, you can choose from Wednesday December 18th, Sunday December 29th, Thursday January 9th, Monday January 20h or Friday January 31st.  Prices start from $1599.  You can go to the website and check out all the details and to make your reservations.  On their site you can read their online brochure for all the details.

You can come early or stay later after the cruise.  Check out the following for reservation availabilities: www.Puerto-Penasco.com,  Sonoran Resorts, Playa Bonita, Laos Mar Best Western.