Ocean Star Cruises, which, in spite of its name, boasts that it is a 100 percent Mexican company, plans to start sailing to ports along the Mexican Pacific in mid-April. The Ocean Star Pacific, with seven decks and 525 cabins, is registered in Panama, but, since the vessel never leaves Mexico, Mexican passengers will need neither passport nor visa to board. The ship offers such amenities as several restaurants, what it calls a “Broadway Show Room,” Irish pub, gym, spa, pool and complete casino. The ship will operate throughout the year but will offer a variety of itineraries. The owners, Corporación de Cruceros Nacionales, say they intend to expand their fleet to six ships during the next few years. All, including the Ocean Star Pacific, are rebuilt vessels.
All this is good news for ports that have recently learned three ships sailing out of California soon no longer will be coming to Mexico. Spain’s Pullmantours, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean, began offering similar cruises last year, and they will continue.
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Jimm Budd
Reporting from Mexico City
Member of the Society of American Travel Writers
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