The Yucatan Express, a cruise ferry service
Ed. This article applies to the Spring 2003 schedule.
The Yucatan Express, a cruise ferry service, has begun twice weekly service between Tampa, Florida, and the Yucatan ports of Progresso and Puerto Morelos, Mexico.
Progresso is on the northwest corner of the Yucatan Peninsula; Puerto Morelos is 33 kilometers south of Cancun and home to one of Mexico's finest reefs.
The Scotia Prince, a 485-foot long, eight-deck cruise ferry, which during the May- November season shuttles between Portland, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, carries up to 1,130 passengers and as many as 220 cars, vans, RVs, boats, campers and trailers and motorcycles. The Scotia Prince has 322 cabins.
The Scotia Prince leaves Tampa's terminal 7 on Tuesdays and Fridays and from Morelos Wednesdays and Sundays.
From Progresso, the ship swings over to Morelos and makes the return trip to Tampa from there. Sailing times are about 36 hours each way. Times in port range from four to 11 hours.
One-way passage only fares start at about $65 per person and go for as much as $405 for those opting to luxuriate in suites . Round trip per person fares start at $120 and go up to $750.
Cruise and hotel packages of seven, eleven and fourteen days, range from $230 per person up to $470 per person, double occupancy.
Rates for vehicles begin at $298 roundtrip.
The Scotia Prince has been navigating the waters between Maine and Nova Scotia for more than 33 years, ferrying more than 5 million passengers and 600,000 of their cars, vans, RVs, boats, trailers, campers and motorcycles.
During dry dock time in Charleston, South Carolina, a sky deck was added to the Scotia Prince. The duty free shop was remodeled and so was the Las Vegas-style casino. The Sky Deck includes a Tiki Bar, hot tub deck, sun deck, observation deck and sports deck. Also added was a beauty salon, massage spa, photo lab and a doctor's office and infirmary.
