Yucatán embraces American Queen Voyages' culturally immersive cruises

The culturally immersive cruises operate through the end of January before Ocean Voyager repositions to the Southeast US.

Future seasons are scheduled from November to February 2022/23 and November to March 2023/24.

Safe reactivation of tourism

'We are grateful that American Queen Voyages is undertaking this venture despite the adverse outlook that the pandemic has represented for the cruise industry in recent months,' said Raúl Paz Noriega, director, Yucatán Tourist Board. 'We are sure that with the appropriate biosecurity measures implemented to receive the passengers and crew of the Ocean Voyager, this type of tourism will be safely reactivated in Yucatán. Let's hope this is the beginning of a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship.'

At a welcome ceremony, Paz Noriega acknowledged the 'vision and leadership of American Queen Voyages Founder and Chairman John Waggoner for keeping his word and realizing this dream planned more than three years ago, when he visited our state with his executives and personally selected sites covered by this itinerary.'

He presented Capt. Gary Kerr a plaque for the vessel and traditional Mayan gifts to deliver to Waggoner.

'Our guests are enjoying  this new Lakes & Ocean experience immersed in Mayan culture, visiting sites and ruins off the beaten path, many we have had almost to ourselves,' American Queen Voyages spokesperson Michael Hicks said today from Mexico.

Nine-day itineraries

The nine-day itineraries include a pre-cruise hotel stay in Cozumel, overnights in Campeche and Progreso and a land tour of Valladolid including Chichen Itza before passengers fly home from Cancún. Sailings are following SafeCruise protocols, including a 100% vaccinated environment onboard, proof of negative PCR test within two days before embarking and reduced occupancy.

Debbie Lazar, a AAA Northern California travel advisor, was making her first trip to the Yucatán. 'The sailing and land tour combination is a great opportunity for my adventurous clients to discover the Yucatán and in a small group with an extremely attentive staff, both onboard and leading excursions,' she said.

Former Victory vessels

American Queen Voyages' Lakes & Oceans vessels Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator are the former Victory I and Victory II. Each carries up to 200 passengers and will operate on the Great Lakes this summer, visiting all five lakes and docking exclusively at Chicago’s Navy Pier.