BajaNomad - Cruise Ships in Santa Rosaliíta????

Cruise Ships in Santa Rosaliíta????

bajaguy - 4-9-2014 at 06:46 AM

From Ensenada.net

Article posted April 8, 2014
by Karla Lorena Lamas

The federal government intends to build two ports in Baja California, one for the movement of goods in El Sauzal, and one for the arrival of Santa Rosaliíta cruise ships, a few kilometers from Parallel 28.

During a meeting with the General Coordinator of Ports and Merchant Marine, Raúl Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa, and the governor, Francisco Vega de Lamadrid announced that reengineer the tourism and port area were performed.

"We will work today, we'll Guerrero Negros, hence Santa Rosaliíta, hence me on to La Paz, because we're going to work proposals that have cruise stops in the middle of Baja California. This, I say, has nothing to do with us, but exactly Ensenada is about because if we give them more options to cruise on down, will strengthen Ensenada "he said.

Teresa Ruiz said that the development work is in charge of the state and federal government but also with input from the private sector.

The State President said that these actions are considered within the Strategic Plan of Baja California whose purpose is to make ports more competitive and increase the capacity of moving goods.

"Knowing that you have to lead investment and jobs to remain competitive and, of course, knowing the advantages of our port of Ensenada, is precisely because the issue is of ports and tourism, El Sauzal project, together with the railroad, which connect to El Sauzal by Tecate and Ensenada that would connect with the new Otay II "explained the governor.

Among the projects include the modernization of the seafood market, better known as "Black Market", the Science Museum's Caracol, improve the city center, La Bufadora, and rehabilitate the coastal boulevard "Lázaro Cárdenas".

Although the number of cruise ship arrivals increased from 192 to 286 in 2013, only 30 and 40 percent of low passenger boats to visit the city, according to the Merchants Association in Ensenada Tourist Heading for that reason was given to the mayor Gilberto Hirata Chico will work on making the area attractive Ensenada.

mtgoat666 - 4-9-2014 at 07:14 AM

The new cruises ship terminal will be a great addition to the marina they built a while back :lol:

They should hire the same design engineer! :lol:

Ateo - 4-9-2014 at 07:20 AM

I can see hordes of people wanting to get off the ship and visit Santa Rosalillita. :no:

woody with a view - 4-9-2014 at 07:54 AM

Mexican daydreams......

daveB - 4-9-2014 at 08:55 AM

A cruise ship "home port" is being constructed at Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) Sonora. This seems like a determined attempt so far, but if done to completion it would follow that other stops on the trip through the Sea of Cortes might be available for some of the action.

Act now

bajaguy - 4-9-2014 at 08:58 AM

Get on the ground floor and stake out your taco stands, curio shops and palapa bars catering to the tourists

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
I can see hordes of people wanting to get off the ship and visit Santa Rosalillita. :no:

Mula - 4-9-2014 at 09:25 AM

Look at that they did to Xchlak and Mahahual over in Quintana Roo to take the excess cruise ships from Cozumel and Cancun. And that was in the early 2000's.

We were going to those places when there was nothing out there.. . not any more.

latina - 4-9-2014 at 09:37 AM

I just finished reading an online article about the cruise ship dock they are planning to build in San Carlos! Yikes!

TMW - 4-9-2014 at 11:42 AM

I think it would be great for businesses in the area. The town will grow by leaps and bounds.

Udo - 4-9-2014 at 12:40 PM

Santa Rosaliita with a cruise terminal???

There is not much there but a gorgeous beach, a secret surf spot, some lanchas, and a few local and a handful of gringos who live there year-round.

Majorcynik - 4-11-2014 at 02:11 PM

Don't forget the failed "Escalaria project" Giant stone breakwater, 50 ton travel lift that doubles as an osprey nesting site, 2, 20,000 liter diesel tanks, a 3 story "office complex", panga washing stations, not to mention the 100's of power poles all the way from Guererro Negro, and the best 4 lane road in ALL of Baja.
I guess it never dawned on the project developers to hire an engineer?? When there is a sandy beach over a mile long, what did they expect would happen to the "port"?? You can wade across the harbor now. Might be good for clamming but is NO BUENO for any kind of harbor.
Cruise ship terminal/destination is another Mexican pipe dream. What I want to know is what they are smoking in that pipe??? :lol:

Islandbuilder - 4-11-2014 at 02:44 PM

Well, Based on my experience with the major cruise lines in Alaska, the lack of existing infrastructure is exactly what they're looking for.

Santa Rosalillita is well located for side trips to Scammons, and perhaps a concession to drive buggies or quads up the beach. Surfing, SUP, fishing, etc are all possible, even though no one is doing it now.

If there is no one on the scene to provide those needed services, then the cruise lines get to create all that infrastructure themselves, and thus control both the quality and consistency of the experience. They also get to keep all of the profits.

They have built one remote cruise ship shore base (Hoonah) along with some community-based support, and have long wanted to do the same along the mainland shore between Juneau and Petersburg.

But Ensenada had better be aware! The ships schedules are tightly programmed, and they won't be able to ADD a day to their itineraries, so a stop at Rosalillita means another stop somewhere else will be eliminated. It is naive to assume that the ships will stop at two places only a few hours (at 25 knots) apart.

These big companies are profit driven, and are capable of investing millions to develop a venue that will add a few percent to their bottom line over the long term. If they want it, and have some community support (one or two well connected ejido leaders might be enough to get the thin edge of the wedge in) they can get it done.

bajaguy - 4-11-2014 at 02:49 PM

Just look at the massive pier rotting away at the Rosarito Beach Hotel......dreams and plans meet reality

willardguy - 4-11-2014 at 02:56 PM

the idea behind the rosarito pier was to attract gamblers, unfortunately just about that time indian casino's sprung up all over. no need to cross the border. I still think rosarito with their beaches and mega clubs would offer the 3 day party cruisers a better deal than ensenada, if they could get em on shore safely.

elgatoloco - 4-11-2014 at 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
the idea behind the rosarito pier was to attract gamblers, unfortunately just about that time indian casino's sprung up all over. no need to cross the border. I still think rosarito with their beaches and mega clubs would offer the 3 day party cruisers a better deal than ensenada, if they could get em on shore safely.

Viejas was going to run regular trips to the pier. You could gamble your way down and then get a margarita or spend the night. Did not work out so well first time.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2000/apr/16/gambling-cruise-...

Later I read about ship being stranded on sand bar and that was end of that. December 2000 the company set up to run the cruises filed for bankruptcy.

Bajahowodd - 4-11-2014 at 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by daveB
A cruise ship "home port" is being constructed at Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) Sonora. This seems like a determined attempt so far, but if done to completion it would follow that other stops on the trip through the Sea of Cortes might be available for some of the action.

My guess is that the folks who own the Mayan Palace properties have some financial interest in this, as they have a big resort in the area that seems to never fill up.

Bajahowodd - 4-11-2014 at 05:02 PM

For many years, the cruise lines have used "out islands" as a port stop. They are basically places they either own or rent that they use to have beach parties. This sounds similar to that.

And, can we get the friggin' spelling of the town correct? :biggrin:

Udo - 4-11-2014 at 06:55 PM

What's wrong with Santa Rosaliita?

BTW
I think that in January though April schedules to Ojo De Libre would be sold out.

And Shari would have to hire employees to handle all the WHALEMAGIC tours.

BajaBlanca - 4-11-2014 at 07:04 PM

wow, hard to imagine cruise ships is sleepy santa rosaliita (no idea how to spell it correctly) . It would really change the landscape drastically.

Bajahowodd - 4-12-2014 at 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
What's wrong with Santa Rosaliita?

BTW
I think that in January though April schedules to Ojo De Libre would be sold out.

And Shari would have to hire employees to handle all the WHALEMAGIC tours.

Nice thought. But even if they build a cruise ship dock down there Ojo De Liebre would not work. Simply because those ship typically have thousands of passengers, and if my current info is correct, by government fiat, only six pangas are allowed out in the lagoon at any one time.

willardguy - 4-12-2014 at 04:57 PM

Quote:

you gotta toss an extra "L" in there to be cool :coolup:

Ateo - 4-12-2014 at 04:59 PM

ROSALILLITA

Just remember Rosa Lillita. Two L's. Double LL's Think double LL sound of "Y"

Rosaluyyeetuh.

Ok, someone correct me. =)

Ateo - 4-12-2014 at 05:05 PM

I know, I'm turning into David K.

[Edited on 4-13-2014 by Ateo]

[Edited on 4-13-2014 by Ateo]

willardguy - 4-12-2014 at 05:12 PM

bruce wanted to call rosalita(come out tonight) rosalillita, but it would have sounded too much like BTO :lol:

Ateo - 4-12-2014 at 05:18 PM

Ha Willard, had to Google BTO.............

Ateo - 4-12-2014 at 05:31 PM

They should build a cruise ship harbor at this spot:

wilderone - 4-13-2014 at 09:03 AM

"We were going to those places when there was nothing out there.. . not any more."
As soon as the ship leaves a few hours later, they turn back into small, quiet villages. All the beach vendors with their tourist trinkets disappear, the "scuba" shop closes; no ATVs; and there are hardly any other tourists (actually I didn't see any). I had an entire beachside campground all to myself in Mahajual - $5/nt. There was a coffee shack just down the road for brewed coffee in the AM; the tamale truck came by with three kinds of tamales for 50 cents. I would definitely go back there again.

But I can't see that happening in Sta Rosalillita. They would need a really long, expensive pier for disembarking passengers. The village of Sta Rosalillita just isn't very picturesque - would not look appealing in a cruise brochure.
A container port in El Sauzal and a train to Otay - my my - big dreams. Let the land grab begin.

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2014 at 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wilderone
"We were going to those places when there was nothing out there.. . not any more."
As soon as the ship leaves a few hours later, they turn back into small, quiet villages. All the beach vendors with their tourist trinkets disappear, the "scuba" shop closes; no ATVs; and there are hardly any other tourists (actually I didn't see any). I had an entire beachside campground all to myself in Mahajual - $5/nt. There was a coffee shack just down the road for brewed coffee in the AM; the tamale truck came by with three kinds of tamales for 50 cents. I would definitely go back there again.

But I can't see that happening in Sta Rosalillita. They would need a really long, expensive pier for disembarking passengers. The village of Sta Rosalillita just isn't very picturesque - would not look appealing in a cruise brochure.
A container port in El Sauzal and a train to Otay - my my - big dreams. Let the land grab begin.

There's no pier in Cabo, or many other ports of call around the world. The ships anchor and they ferry the passengers in using the lifeboats. Same could happen even here.

chuckie - 4-13-2014 at 04:54 PM

Same thing happens in sausalito....

Udo - 4-13-2014 at 05:25 PM

Thanks Willard, but the spell checker on my Mac does not understand Spanish. I'll just have to add it correctlty spelled into the dictionary

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy

Quote:

you gotta toss an extra "L" in there to be cool :coolup:

Udo - 4-13-2014 at 05:27 PM

No way to land passengers, unless they do it off lanchas. The closest thing that comes to a pier is the rock jetty they now have.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Quote:

There's no pier in Cabo, or many other ports of call around the world. The ships anchor and they ferry the passengers in using the lifeboats. Same could happen even here.

woody with a view - 4-13-2014 at 05:50 PM

and what would the attraction be? the Escalera to Bay of LA??? I'm guessing they'll create an even better wave when they rearrange the jetty to accomadate the ships. it is SHALLOW out there....

elizabeth - 4-13-2014 at 06:46 PM

Quote:

And I see no change to Xcalak...60 km south, so there's little cruise ship impact...except some cruise ship garbage that washes ashore. Majahual has changed significantly since it was a small fishing village...and much of that change happened after the hurricane that caused substantial damage to the center...it now looks a lot like a mini Playa del Carmen! It's absolutely true that the town shuts down when the ships leave. The upside is that a Pemex station went in, and no more need to get gas from drums any more!

Islandbuilder - 4-13-2014 at 10:36 PM

They won't be bringing the ship inside the breakwater, they may dredge the harbor (continually) enough to get their shore boats in to the existing facility there, or they will build a pier that reaches past the wave zone.

They don't need, or probably want, any existing touristic infrastructure, they prefer to build their own shops that they staff with employees rather than share the profits with a local shop owner.

The proximity to Scammons provides all they need to justify the construction, so they can tap into the Safari/Un-cruise/Lindblad expeditions adventure travel market.

They will build a Disney-ized version of a Baja town, like they have done in Ketchikan and Juneau. If the costs were shared between several cruise companies (like their private islands in the Caribbean) they can do pretty much whatever they want.

Bus/panga trips to see the gray whales, fleets of quads and Unimogs up the beach to the north, burro wranglers on the beach, in-house sport fishing charters, a nice beach side day spa..................

Bajahowodd - 4-14-2014 at 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
and what would the attraction be? the Escalera to Bay of LA??? I'm guessing they'll create an even better wave when they rearrange the jetty to accomadate the ships. it is SHALLOW out there....

I mentioned it much earlier. Many cruise lines have a stop ay what they call "out islands". They usually own or lease them. They are usually sparsely inhabited with little services. What the cruise lines do is throw a big beach party. They ferry off tons of food and drink and also entertainment. That could happen in this case.

Bajahowodd - 4-14-2014 at 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Islandbuilder
They won't be bringing the ship inside the breakwater, they may dredge the harbor (continually) enough to get their shore boats in to the existing facility there, or they will build a pier that reaches past the wave zone.

They don't need, or probably want, any existing touristic infrastructure, they prefer to build their own shops that they staff with employees rather than share the profits with a local shop owner.

The proximity to Scammons provides all they need to justify the construction, so they can tap into the Safari/Un-cruise/Lindblad expeditions adventure travel market.

They will build a Disney-ized version of a Baja town, like they have done in Ketchikan and Juneau. If the costs were shared between several cruise companies (like their private islands in the Caribbean) they can do pretty much whatever they want.

Bus/panga trips to see the gray whales, fleets of quads and Unimogs up the beach to the north, burro wranglers on the beach, in-house sport fishing charters, a nice beach side day spa..................

Scammons, as you call it, is fiercely protected by the Mexican environmental authorities, It will not become a playground for thousands of cruise ship tourists. As far as I know, there are only six local pangas, operated by the local Ejido allowed on the lagoon at any one time.

chuckie - 4-14-2014 at 04:56 PM

Correcto

bajachris - 4-15-2014 at 10:23 PM

They can't keep sand out of the jetty.

willardguy - 4-15-2014 at 11:04 PM

Quote:

think la salina.

David K - 4-15-2014 at 11:18 PM

The harbor of Santa Rosalillita is reached by its own paved road to Hwy. 1... You do not need to go through the little village of Santa Rosalillita when traveling to/ from the harbor.

It is far too small for cruise ships, but their launches could bring people ashore... and then they could be bused on tours to San Borja mission, the desert, Scammon's Lagoon (or as Mexico calls it 'Ojo de Liebre').

However, there is an existing harbor at Guerrero Negro that ran from 1957-1968 (approx.) before the salt loading was moved to Scammon's (Ojo de Liebre) Lagoon. Why not adapt the old port for pangas from cruise ships, or bring the cruise ship (if possible) right to the dock at Black Warrior Lagoon (Laguna Guerrero Negro)?