Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) will start operating cruises from Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, also known as Rocky Point.
The cruise company made the announcement at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach, along with Mexico's Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Sonora.
The cruises will explore the Sea of Cortez on 12-day soft expedition voyages on the 16,144-ton Portuguese-registered Astoria, a classic ship that carries 550 guests.
The "Treasures of the Sea of Cortez" voyages will operate as an inclusive cruise, with fares including all shipboard gratuities, a lecture series, and house beer and wine with lunches and dinner onboard.
Departures are available on select dates in December 2019 and in January and February of 2020, with rates starting at $1,599 per person.
The cruises will sail round-trip from Puerto Peñasco, considered by many to be "Arizona's beach" because of its location just a few hours away from Phoenix and Tucson - Arizonians call it "Rocky Point." Ports of call in Sonora, Sinaloa, and Baja California Sur include Puerto Topolobampo, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Santa Rosalia, and Guaymas.
"Our new 'Treasures of the Sea of Cortez' voyage takes travelers to discover some of the best-kept secret destinations of Mexico from a beautiful seaside town conveniently located just outside Arizona," said John Dennis, vice president of sales and marketing for CMV USA.
"As such, we are thrilled - not only to be Arizona's de facto cruise line but also to welcome guests throughout the country and internationally to experience this inclusive Sea of Cortez itinerary. Additionally, we are pleased to share that with countless local drive-to opportunities, as well as superb airlift into Phoenix and Tucson, we have already started to see great interest from many markets, including the U.K. that has non-stop service into Phoenix."
Born in an era marked by volcanic eruptions and ongoing earthquakes more than 5 million years ago, the Sea of Cortez beckons with natural wonders, wildlife and islands. The Sea of Cortez is the richest body of water on the planet, featuring many islands designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, an impressive array of marine mammals, more than 900 species of fish, and plentiful birdlife. It has been described as a "living aquarium" by Jacques Cousteau.
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