Port of San Diego and Royal Caribbean Celebrate New Cruise Calls to Mexican Ports

Friday, 25 September 2009
Contact: John Gilmore (619) 686-6222

The Port of San Diego is welcoming Royal Caribbean International’s Radiance of the Seas, which is now offering 29 round trip cruises from San Diego to the Mexican Rivera.

The San Diego arrival of Radiance of the Seas marks the start of the cruise line's military appreciation campaign.

In recognition of the contributions made by the U.S. military, Royal Caribbean is donating $10,000 to Wounded Warriors Families Support, an organization that provides support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations.

In addition, the cruise line is offering special cruise pricing to active and retired U.S. and Canadian military personnel for a cruise vacation aboard Radiance of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas for cruises between October 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010.

"Our contribution to the Wounded Warriors Family Support organization is our way to help give back to those who have given up so much already,” said Betsy O'Rourke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International.

The 29 round trips from San Diego to the Mexican Riviera will occur between now and May 2010 with itineraries ranging from 4 to 12 nights. Ports of call may include Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Huatulco, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

The news cruises began Sept. 25, 2009. In addition, Royal Caribbean will depart from San Diego in May 2010 for a 13-night cruise to West Coast and Alaskan ports.

Royal Caribbean and the Port of San Diego welcomed the new service Sept. 25, 2009, with a tour of the 2,500-passenger Radiance of the Seas and a lunch aboard the ship. The vessel features 10-story glass elevators, rock climbing, several themed restaurants, an indoor/outdoor country club and a basketball and volleyball court.

Michael Bixler, a member of the Board of Port Commissioners and Chair of the Port’s Cruise Industry Advisory Committee, thanked Royal Caribbean for the new business while noting the added calls will help the Mexican tourism industry, which has been impacted by an economic downturn in both the United States and Mexico.

“We appreciate the business these cruises bring to us, our tenants, the region and to our friends in Mexico,” Bixler said. “Every time a cruise ship comes in they bring in an estimated $2 million to the region’s economy.”

In addition to Royal Caribbean, cruise lines calling on San Diego and the Port of San Diego include Carnival, Holland America and Celebrity.

“This new cruise ship business is important not only to the Port but also to the region,” said Rita Vandergaw, the Port of San Diego’s Marketing Director. “We have many cruises leaving out of San Diego in the next six months. The bargains are tremendous."

 

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