With lounging sea lions, breaching whales and playful dolphins by the dozen, it’s easy to see why world-famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called Mexico’s Sea of Cortez the “aquarium of the world.”
In fact, seeing an abundance of marine life while cruising the Sea of Cortez was a much-anticipated delight, while wandering through colonial towns and discovering cultural attractions, on the other hand, were surprising treats.
In Santa Rosalia, I found myself poking around the headquarters of an old French copper mine and sampling bread baked in a century-old, wood-fired oven. In La Paz, I admired sculptures of sea creatures on the malecon (seaside walk) and was fascinated by the city’s archeological museum.
The town of Loreto, I learned, is home to the first successful mission in Baja California.
This mix of wildlife encounters, folklore, history, sandy beaches and desert landscapes unfolds day by day onboard Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ (CMV) 550-passenger Astoria. While the historic ship will soon depart the CMV fleet, the 11-night Treasures of the Sea of Cortez itinerary — with calls at Topolobampo, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Santa Rosalia and Guaymas — is expected to return in 2021.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Astoria.
Credit: 2020 Ginger DingusWhat’s even more unique about this voyage is that embarkation and disembarkation take place in Puerto Penasco (also known as Rocky Point), located at the northern end of the Sea of Cortez. This means there’s no need for the ship to sail from Southern California around the tip of Baja, as is the norm for cruises exploring the region.
It should be noted that Rocky Point is a tender port, as a long-awaited pier has not been completed. The city is roughly four hours by coach from Phoenix, the main air hub for the cruise, and the easiest way for clients to reach the ship is via CMV’s group transfers.
For those not familiar with CMV, the British-based cruise line was formed in 2009 and offers a fleet of six classic, medium-size ships that cater largely to value-seeking Brits.
“We tend to be more attractive to travelers than to cruisers,” said John Dennis, vice president of sales and marketing for the U.S.
This may be due to CMV’s focus on experiences rather than onboard attractions. Most cruises are adults-only and feature a more old-school, formal ambiance than on major U.S. lines.
That said, Sea of Cortez cruises break the mold. Dinner is open seating, and the dress code is resort casual. The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar, not the British pound. Better still, fares include wine and beer with lunch and dinner, plus gratuities.
Clients who have had their share of mass-market cruises — or who are looking for a more intimate experience — should be sure to check out CMV. And there’s no better opportunity than a trip to the aquarium of the world.
The Details
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www.cruiseandmaritime.com
