Costa Maya, a cruise port on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, will be operational by July, months before the port had originally expected to reopen. Hurricane Dean inflicted heavy damage on the port in August 2007.
Port officials had said last year that two of the three damaged berths would open by September 2008, and the third not before early 2009. Costa Maya now says that two berths will be ready by July and that its third will be ready by November.
Costa Maya said reconstructed berths could accommodate the newest and largest cruise ships entering the market in the next few years, including Norwegian Cruise Line's F3-class ships and Royal Caribbean's Genesis-class ships.
"Tremendous interest from industry and government supporters, coupled with our desire to revitalize the neighboring town of Mahahual, was the motivation behind our rapid rebuild and return," said Teofilo Hamui, president and CEO of Costa Maya.
The port said that Cunard, Princess, Celebrity, NCL, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Carnival, Regent Seven Seas, P&O, Disney, Windstar, MSC and Ocean Village have committed to return to Costa Maya.
A new boardwalk, the result of a $15 million government investment following Hurricane Dean, will be ready for unveiling in time for the port's reopening. The boardwalk is lined by beach houses, small hotels and restaurants.