Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) this week announced it will deploy the Magellan to the Mexican Riviera for the winter 2019 cruise season, launching a new brand for the Mexican domestic market: Cruceros Marítimos Vacacionales. The itinerary includes Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.

According to CEO Christian Verhounig, CMV specializes in the development of dedicated source markets having successfully established markets and programs in the UK & Ireland, Germany, Australia and France. With Cruceros Marítimos Vacacionales, CMV will be the only exclusive Mexican cruise product currently available on Mexico's domestic leisure market.

The ship will begin operations on a week-long cruise program on Feb. 3, 2019, sailing through the end of March 2019, and homeporting in both Acapulco and Manzanillo. Special introductory fares are planned with great deals for children and a 25% single supplement for solo travelers. Attractive honeymoon packages and group deals will offer further savings and other benefits.

John Dennis, Vice President Sales & Marketing of the CMV North American Fort Lauderdale-based sales office, will assume responsibility for the commercial management and business development of the Mexican operation with a maiden season capacity of 12,000 passengers, the company said.

Dennis said the decision to move forward followed extensive development work over the past year with numerous visits and meetings with many key stakeholders and government officials.

At the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association's conference in Mérida, Mexico, in October, destinations were abuzz about CMV's plans.

The program is 'another sign of trust in Mexico and Acapulco,' according to Alejandro González Molina, secretary of tourism, Acapulco. The fact that Mexicans won't need passports and visas to travel on a tailor-made cruise for them has a 'lot of potential. It's a clever idea,' González said.

CMV will be opening a dedicated sales office in Mexico City and officially launching Cruceros Marítimos Vacacionales and Magellan's 2019 program during first quarter 2018. Big trade events are planned in Mexico City, Acapulco, Guadalajara and at the 2018 Tianguis Turistico, Mexico's leading tourism fair, to be held in Mazatlán.

The voyages will also be marketed internationally, the company said.