Victory Cruise Lines has created a nine-night all-inclusive cruise between Miami and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula that showcases three of the country’s most celebrated Mayan archaeological sites, as well as the cultural and historical highlights of the Mexican states of Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Campeche.
During the inaugural season—January to May 2019—the package will include a two-night, pre- or post-cruise stay at an all-inclusive in Campeche, creating an 11-night all-inclusive cruise and land experience for the cost of the cruise alone. Guests who book a winter 2019 cruise by May 31, 2018 receive a $1,000 per person discount for a total savings of $2,000 per cabin. The inaugural Grand Mayan Experience cruise departs The Port of Miami January 4, 2019 on the newly remodeled, 202-passenger Victory II.
During the first season, Victory Cruise Lines will operate The Grand Mayan Experience cruises to the Yucatan Peninsula from January through early May, and the second season begins in November 2019 and ends in May 2020. Cruise activities include a private sunrise experience at Chichen Itza, a light and sound show at Campeche, and a visit to a traditional Mayan healing ceremony.
The Quintana Roo portion of the cruise includes a full-day exploration from the town of Puerto Morelos in the heart of the Riviera Maya. In addition to visiting the Tulum archaeological site, one of two evenings in Puerto Morelos will include the "Xcaret Mexico Espectacular,” a journey through Mexico ́s history from the pre-Conquistador era.
After Puerto Morelos, guests travel inland to Chichen Itza and the “Magic Towns” of Valladolid and Izamal. Near Chichen Itza, guests will visit a cenote. After touring Valladolid, guests will overnight at The Mayaland Hotel, which was built to create the feeling of staying in a traditional Mayan village; the hotel is located within the archaeological zone of Chichen Itza. Following a gourmet dinner at the hotel, Victory guests will experience the Chichen Itza Sound and Light Show. The next morning begins with an exclusive visit to Chichen Itza before it opens to the general public for a “Sunrise with the Mayans Experience.”
The itinerary continues with a trip through Izamal, a colonial town built over Mayan ruins that was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1993. In preparation for the pope’s visit, the entire city was painted Vatican yellow and has maintained that color ever since. It is now widely known as “The Yellow City.”
The Victory II will also call at Progreso, where guests will spend two days exploring Merida. In addition to exploring the cultural center of Yucatan, guests will visit one of the last working Haciendas in the region, Sotuta de Peon and Mayapan, a lost Mayan city, before participating in an ancient Mayan cleansing ceremony.
Last is the state of Campeche, where guests will be welcomed into the Walled City of Campeche. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Campeche is an enclave of restored pastel buildings, cobblestone streets, fortified ramparts, and preserved mansions. Either before or after the nine-night cruise on Victory II, guests will stay at the Hotel Plaza Campeche within the walled city for three days and two nights.
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