She was nearing the end of a three day cruise, having only entered service for Ocean Star Cruise Line a week ago.

See here for more info:
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9ML30080

RCI's former NORDIC PRINCE has certainly had her share of bad luck.

This could be the end of yet another attempt to bring cruising home to Mexico.

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
How old is this ship?

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
A Mexican cruise line??? I don't think so!!!

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
IMHO only affuent Mexicans cruise. Those being goverment officials and those involved in drug cartels. There is NO middle class in Mexico.The goverment is corrupt and feed off the drug lords.

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Originally posted by dougnewman:
Mexico is a large middle-income country with a substantial middle class, much like Brazil or South Africa (

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As you seem to dislike Mexicans so much it is just as well that the new cruise line is intended for Mexican passengers only !

That is the reason why they are operating passport free cruises.

They are also looking for another cruise ship to join this new cruising company.

Mexico has a well developed middle class living in and around its cities. Yes it has a lot of poor people but there are also lots of doctors, businessmen, etc. who live quite comfortably. You need to get past the TV images and stereotypes of drugs and slums.

I personally worked with a company building houses in Mexico. Mexico has a growing international trade and is also the home to some of the large manufacturing operations of global companies. For example might want to check the car you are driving to see how much of it was built in Mexico or the telephone you are speaking on. Mexico has a large global steel company, food companies and lots more.

On many trips on a large variety of ships I have met middle class Mexicans or more well to do Mexicans on ships ranging from Royal Viking to Crystal to Royal Caribbean.

As for the ship being such a problem because she is 40 years old that is simply nonsense. It all has to do with the maintenance she received. Royal Caribbean took good care of her for the first half of her life which is very important. Fuel efficiency is going to be ok because she is a Wartsila diesel and she was built in 1970 so she has modern materials, etc. which should not provide major challenges with newer safety regulations. The only question mark might be how she was maintained in the last few years.

The folks behind this cruise line have been in the cruise and hospitality industry for years so they know the ropes.

I would not be surprised to see this marketed to all the Spanish speaking countries in time.

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Originally posted by SSTRAVELER:
Wow but so much misinformation in one thread ... it must be a new record.

Mexico has a well developed middle class living in and around its cities. Yes it has a lot of poor people but there are also lots of doctors, businessmen, etc. who live quite comfortably. You need to get past the TV images and stereotypes of drugs and slums.

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From my experience with years of traveling all over Mexico as well as having family from my mother's side living there it does have a middle class population. I would guess the people firmly in the middle class who are able to travel the World is around 20-25% of the population. The vast majority of the Mexican people are either poor or the working class who could never afford a trip abroad let alone obtain a visa to travel to the US. Mexico is far better off than most Latin American countries by the fact that it shares a border with the US and is a top trading partner with the US. From my time in Mexico I can say there are few countries where the population is as gracious and welcoming. Mexico does have major issues ranging from a corrupt government to a huge poor class but it can be a delightful country to visit. I am writing this while at our house in Puerto Vallarta which is a wonderful place to visit and experience Mexico.

[ 04-20-2011: Message edited by: lasuvidaboy ]

Now I know why I don't post here as often as I used to; at times, this board reeks of narrow-mindedness through some of its posters. It's laughable how some even defend their position.

[ 04-20-2011: Message edited by: Rex ]

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Originally posted by Rex:

Now I know why I don't post here as often as I used to; at times, this board reeks of narrow-mindedness through some of its posters. It's laughable how some even defend their position.

[ 04-20-2011: Message edited by: Rex ]

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:

Now who are you referring to?

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Calling people on this forum nasty things is IMO shallow and not worth your comments.
I have my opinions but you have NO respect.
Yes there are good things in Mexico, but just read or listen to the news to hear about all the people who are victims of crime and corruption there.
Wake up, we have a drug and immigration problem coming from: MEXICO!!!
F4

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I never called you or anyone else a name; maybe your self-esteem is so low the names were already up in your head.

We have a drug problem right here in the US of A without any help from the Mexicans. Are they responsible for the drug problem in Canada and other countries too?

[ 04-23-2011: Message edited by: Rex ]

The big difference between N America and most of Latin America is that those countries were settled by Spain while the US and Canada were settled by the Brits and other Northern European countries. The rule of law, property rights etc. are often completely different in N American than they are in Latin America. In Mexico as an example if a high-ranking politician likes your property-they can take it! I LOVE to experience Mexico and her wonderful people but they have serious problems that seem to be only getting worse every year. The top-to-bottom government corruption is the major problem w/that country.

As for N America (and being a true Anglophile), I always think how lucky we (and Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc. etc.) were to have been settled by the Brits!

[ 04-25-2011: Message edited by: lasuvidaboy ]