13 Feb. 2015: Costa Maya, Mexico.

Costa Maya is a newly created port in the same way as Mahogany Bay on Roatan. The cruise industry boom gave rise to the need for more ports as the existing ports were filled to capacity or awaiting further expansion and thus several completely new ports were created.

Costa Maya was one of them.

It is located about half way between Roatan and the island of Cozumel and consists of a T shaped pier with 3 berths and a small resort attached to it, with bars, restaurants, a large pool and an open air theatre where Mayan and more recent local history is interpreted with various performances.

Not really safe for use after hurricane Dean came by in 2007. Photo Courtesy: Costa Maya authorities

The Hurricane could cause so much damage as the pier is built right on the edge of the shore; there where the shore line plunges into the deep. That meant that the force of the waves was not diminished by the reduction in water depth, but the whole momentum of the deep ocean could hit the concrete. This deep water also affects the arrival of the ships. The Gulf Stream can still be felt and 1.5 knots of current running along the pier is not unusual. Also the ocean swell runs freely under the open pier and can cause the ships to sway on their mooring lines if there is a lot of it.

Holland America has been calling here since the beginning with the exception of a short period in 2007 when the Piers were almost demolished during the hurricane season.  In the beginning the port acted as a sort of overflow port for Cozumel but now it has come into its own stride; offering a smaller and more low key resort option compared with Cozumel, which tends to be a bit on the loud side and very busy.

Today we were lucky. For the last few days a strong northerly wind had been blowing, courtesy of a cold front over Cuba, and that had reduced the Gulf Stream current almost to nothing.  Which made it much easier to dock. The Ryndam had to go to the inside of the T pier and to accomplish that you have to back all the way in, and while doing so you can drift considerably towards the land. The dock location is assigned according to a pecking order – read rotation and frequency of calling – and depending how many ships there are in port.  If you are the only ship, you just pick the dock that is most favorable under the prevailing weather circumstances.   Today we had 3 ships in; The Norwegian Dawn on berth 1, Ryndam on berth 2 and the Thomson Dream at berth 3, which is the cross berth.  A full house with roughly 6000 guests streaming ashore to enjoy Costa Maya.

High Rises on either side. With the Thomson Dream ( ex Westerdam, ex Homeric) at the end on the cruise berth.

With  northerly wind or southerly wind for that matter, the two ships on 1 & 2 (Ryndam and Norwegian Dawn) produce a funnel effect for the wind, as their hulls are like towering walls above the dock side forcing the wind to continue in one direction only.

It might be blowing 15 knots in the open but between the two ships it can then easily go up to 25 knots.  The guests then have to have to lean into this artificial wind to get back to their ships.

If you look at the portholes of the Thomson Dream on the lower levels, the ones on the left are larger then the ones on the right. That is were the new section was put in by Holland America in 1989/1990 when we stretched the ship. The new portholes/windows were larger.

I had hoped to have a quick look on board my old ship the Westerdam (now the Thomson Dream) but Security took a very official stance and the staff captain was not willing to wave the 72 hours notification period. He/she legally has the right to do that, if he/she is convinced that the visitor is entitled to such a waiver.

So I had to be happy with a look outside. Not much had changed there but the ship was sailing full, with generally British guests as it is marketed in the United Kingdom with fly-sail cruises.

The Ryndam called here today from 0800 – 1500 hrs. The early departure has to do to with making the homeport of Tampa on time. As it is a resort most people have had their fill of sand, sun and margarita’s by that time anyway and thus a happy crowd came marching back to the ship around 2 pm.

Tonight the ship is sailing past Cozumel around 9 pm. where it will pick up the full force of the Gulf Stream, which can run here up to 4 knots of velocity, and that will propel us nicely towards the Gulf of Mexico. Tomorrow is the final sea day and then on Sunday Tampa, were we will end the cruise.