Yucatan Express' To Offer Luxury Cruise/Car Ferry Between Florida And Mexico
New Route to Create Jobs and Boost Tourism in Two Countries
July 25, 2002
TAMPA, FL (PRNewswire) -- At the Gulf States conference today in Orlando, Florida, Katherine Harris, Secretary of State for Florida, announced that starting this November, the luxury cruise ferry, M/S Scotia Prince, will be providing service on a new route between Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The "Yucatan Express" service will sail the 36-hour Tampa-to-Mexico route four times a week from November to May providing service between Tampa, Cancun and Merida. The Yucatan facilities will be at the Punta Venado Marine Terminal for Cancun and at Puerto Progreso for the historic city of Merida.
Scotia Prince Cruises aims to replicate the 33 years of success it has experienced operating between Maine and Nova Scotia, by offering its "one-of- a-kind" cruise/ferry experience, and freight transport services, to the Florida and Mexico markets. The company, which currently employs 275 staff members in its Maine and Nova Scotia operations, is expected to add another 25 positions in Florida and Mexico to accommodate the employment needs for its new venture.
"I am delighted that Scotia Prince Cruises will take advantage of the natural infrastructure provided by the Gulf of Mexico in a way that will facilitate regional tourism flows and economic development," said Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. "The Gulf provides a better, cleaner, safer and faster way to move goods and people within the NAFTA area. As current President of the Gulf of Mexico States Accord, I would like to acknowledge the hard work done by Scotia Prince Cruises; the Tampa Port Authority; the Accord Secretariat; and the Florida Department of State itself -- along with the participating Mexican officials -- in turning the concept of a Florida-Mexico cruise/ferry service into reality. This new maritime route helps improve the quality of life in Florida and indeed throughout the Gulf of Mexico region."
US-originating passengers will now have a unique way to vacation among spectacular sites and destinations such as Cancun, Cozumel, and Mayan ruins, while those traveling from Mexico will have convenient access to all the attractions offered in Tampa Bay, Orlando and the rest of Florida including family attractions like Walt Disney World and Busch Gardens. The Yucatan Express will offer a variety of flexible holiday packages -- including cruise drive for those who want to bring their own car and a variety of motor coach tour packages -- and is a great way for those who haven't experienced a cruise to try it, or for those who love to cruise but want a beach holiday or some independent exploration of historic and cultural sites as well.
The ship is also equipped to provide freight transportation services -- including shipments with refrigeration requirements -- and will supply shippers in Florida and Mexico with easy access to new markets. Transporting freight by sea is far more cost effective and efficient than trucking between Mexico and the United States especially for perishables.
"The Yucatan Express will provide vacationers the ultimate in customer service, safe transportation and customized holiday experiences, with the added luxury of taking their own car along for the trip," said Prof. Matthew Hudson, Chairman of Scotia Prince Cruises. "For more than 30 years, Scotia Prince Cruises has enjoyed a mutually rewarding relationship with Canada from our Headquarters in Maine. I look forward with great enthusiasm to building this connection between Florida and Mexico, boosting tourism and trade between our two countries."
Hudson is confident the new route will prove to be successful and anticipates purchasing a second ship to permit the Yucatan Express winter/spring operation to become a year-round schedule.
The Tampa Port Authority is investing $250,000 in upgrades to Cruise Terminal 7 to accommodate the initial season of the service. Port Director George T. Williamson commented, "We believe the Yucatan Express will fundamentally enhance passenger and cruise linkages between Florida and Mexico. The experience and expertise of the Scotia Prince team position them well to succeed in this new venture. They will be filling a void in the market."
Each year more than 165,000 passengers travel on board the Scotia Prince on its northern route, generating economic benefits exceeding $50 million annually in tourism, contracts and supplies in its homeport of Portland, Maine.
The fourth ship in the line since 1970, the M/S Scotia Prince is renowned for its customer service, and recognized for its safety and environmental stewardship. The ship is capable of sleeping 1,100 passengers and carrying up to 220 cars or a combination of cars, tractor-trailers or motor coaches. She boasts 5 star dining, Las Vegas-style gambling, top-notch entertainment and duty-free shopping. Scotia Prince Cruises presently offers a wide variety of holiday packages in Atlantic Canada and the smoothest sea crossing between Maine and Nova Scotia. Since 1970, more than five million passengers have enjoyed the Scotia Prince experience.
To learn more about the Yucatan Express, call 866-466-3935 (866-GOMEXFL) or visit www.yucatanexpress.com or www.scotiaprince.com.
New Route to Create Jobs and Boost Tourism in Two Countries
July 25, 2002
TAMPA, FL (PRNewswire) -- At the Gulf States conference today in Orlando, Florida, Katherine Harris, Secretary of State for Florida, announced that starting this November, the luxury cruise ferry, M/S Scotia Prince, will be providing service on a new route between Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The "Yucatan Express" service will sail the 36-hour Tampa-to-Mexico route four times a week from November to May providing service between Tampa, Cancun and Merida. The Yucatan facilities will be at the Punta Venado Marine Terminal for Cancun and at Puerto Progreso for the historic city of Merida.
Scotia Prince Cruises aims to replicate the 33 years of success it has experienced operating between Maine and Nova Scotia, by offering its "one-of- a-kind" cruise/ferry experience, and freight transport services, to the Florida and Mexico markets. The company, which currently employs 275 staff members in its Maine and Nova Scotia operations, is expected to add another 25 positions in Florida and Mexico to accommodate the employment needs for its new venture.
"I am delighted that Scotia Prince Cruises will take advantage of the natural infrastructure provided by the Gulf of Mexico in a way that will facilitate regional tourism flows and economic development," said Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. "The Gulf provides a better, cleaner, safer and faster way to move goods and people within the NAFTA area. As current President of the Gulf of Mexico States Accord, I would like to acknowledge the hard work done by Scotia Prince Cruises; the Tampa Port Authority; the Accord Secretariat; and the Florida Department of State itself -- along with the participating Mexican officials -- in turning the concept of a Florida-Mexico cruise/ferry service into reality. This new maritime route helps improve the quality of life in Florida and indeed throughout the Gulf of Mexico region."
US-originating passengers will now have a unique way to vacation among spectacular sites and destinations such as Cancun, Cozumel, and Mayan ruins, while those traveling from Mexico will have convenient access to all the attractions offered in Tampa Bay, Orlando and the rest of Florida including family attractions like Walt Disney World and Busch Gardens. The Yucatan Express will offer a variety of flexible holiday packages -- including cruise drive for those who want to bring their own car and a variety of motor coach tour packages -- and is a great way for those who haven't experienced a cruise to try it, or for those who love to cruise but want a beach holiday or some independent exploration of historic and cultural sites as well.
The ship is also equipped to provide freight transportation services -- including shipments with refrigeration requirements -- and will supply shippers in Florida and Mexico with easy access to new markets. Transporting freight by sea is far more cost effective and efficient than trucking between Mexico and the United States especially for perishables.
"The Yucatan Express will provide vacationers the ultimate in customer service, safe transportation and customized holiday experiences, with the added luxury of taking their own car along for the trip," said Prof. Matthew Hudson, Chairman of Scotia Prince Cruises. "For more than 30 years, Scotia Prince Cruises has enjoyed a mutually rewarding relationship with Canada from our Headquarters in Maine. I look forward with great enthusiasm to building this connection between Florida and Mexico, boosting tourism and trade between our two countries."
Hudson is confident the new route will prove to be successful and anticipates purchasing a second ship to permit the Yucatan Express winter/spring operation to become a year-round schedule.
The Tampa Port Authority is investing $250,000 in upgrades to Cruise Terminal 7 to accommodate the initial season of the service. Port Director George T. Williamson commented, "We believe the Yucatan Express will fundamentally enhance passenger and cruise linkages between Florida and Mexico. The experience and expertise of the Scotia Prince team position them well to succeed in this new venture. They will be filling a void in the market."
Each year more than 165,000 passengers travel on board the Scotia Prince on its northern route, generating economic benefits exceeding $50 million annually in tourism, contracts and supplies in its homeport of Portland, Maine.
The fourth ship in the line since 1970, the M/S Scotia Prince is renowned for its customer service, and recognized for its safety and environmental stewardship. The ship is capable of sleeping 1,100 passengers and carrying up to 220 cars or a combination of cars, tractor-trailers or motor coaches. She boasts 5 star dining, Las Vegas-style gambling, top-notch entertainment and duty-free shopping. Scotia Prince Cruises presently offers a wide variety of holiday packages in Atlantic Canada and the smoothest sea crossing between Maine and Nova Scotia. Since 1970, more than five million passengers have enjoyed the Scotia Prince experience.
To learn more about the Yucatan Express, call 866-466-3935 (866-GOMEXFL) or visit www.yucatanexpress.com or www.scotiaprince.com.
Maria will be here all the time once that is ready!