The Puerta Maya Cruise Center in Cozumel, operated by Carnival Corporation & plc, "officially" opened on Monday with grand opening festivities presided over by Francine Cousteau, president of the Cousteau Society and widow of pioneering undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau. In addition to the re-opening of a new two-berth pier and expansive shopping and retail complex, Francine Cousteau served as "godmother" of a new artificial reef off the coast of Cozumel comprised of 56,000 tons of salvaged concrete pilings taken from Puerta Maya's original pier that was destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005.
The inauguration of the artificial reef kicked off two days of grand opening festivities for the Puerta Maya Cruise Center. Events included a gala fundraiser benefiting Parque Marino Arrecifes de Cozumel (Marine Parks of Cozumel) and the Cousteau Society, as well as an opening reception at the facility's main plaza attended by Mexican government officials, including the Governor of the State of Quintana Roo Felix Gonzales Canto, Cozumel Mayor Juan Carlos Gonzales, and other federal, state and city representatives. A luncheon aboard the Carnival Legend took place, as well.
Located on the north coast of Cozumel, the new artificial reef was funded by Carnival Corporation & plc and will create a new underwater habitat within the island's world-renowned reef system, part of the largest reef system in the Western Hemisphere. While abundant with fish and other marine animals, the former marine habitat consisted mainly of vast areas of sand and seaweed. The new reef, called Lol-Ha after the Mayan word for "water-flower" and inspired by the centuries-old tale that explains how the sea got its blue color, creates an undersea environment that can support a wider variety of marine species, including soft and hard corals and sponges, as well as fish and crustaceans. Carnival Corporation & plc and Puerta Maya officials also unveiled a number of educational and environmental initiatives designed to heighten awareness of the island's precious natural resources.
Representing an investment of more than $50 million, the rebuilt Puerta Maya Cruise Center includes a two-berth pier built to withstand a category 5 hurricane, along with a variety of shopping and dining opportunities and a transportation hub capable of accommodating dozens of taxis and tour buses. A new shore excursion pier allowing for quick and convenient access to all water-bound excursions, as well as water-based transportation to and from the facility, is also available. Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy and 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy were the first cruise ships to call at the new Puerta Maya pier last week, representing the first of 550 cruise-ship visits at the facility over the next year. In addition to calling at Puerta Maya, vessels from Carnival Corporation & plc brands will continue to utilize the other two piers in Cozumel. For more information, visit www.carnivalcorp.com.
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