Victory Cruise Lines Announces New Yucatán’s Mayan Cruise Tour In anticipation of the 2021 Season
Victory Cruise Lines (VCL) is excited to announce a brand new itinerary for its upcoming 2021 season, the Yucatán’s Mayan Cruise Tour. Available November through December 2021 on board the Victory II, the itinerary is a roundtrip sailing from Cancun (Cozumel), Mexico.
Part land, part sea, this cruise tour provides the best of both worlds where guests will experience Mexico’s distinctive culture on this exclusive voyage. Shore excursions led by bilingual guides on high-end motorcoaches will transport guests to regions and sites that are rarely seen on Victory Cruise Line’s newest and most active itinerary.
Excursion highlights include the awe-inspiring Mayan city of Chichén Itzá, the distinctive cultures of Campeche and the secrets of civilizations past on this dichotomous journey.
A full breakdown of the Yucatán’s Mayan Cruise Tour, roundtrip Cancun (Cozumel), MX 11-day sailing on board the Victory II includes:
Day One: Cancun, MX
The journey begins with a hotel stay in the heart of Cancun, allowing guests time to relax before their adventure begins. Victory Cruise Line’s hospitality desk will be onsite at the pre-voyage hotel to assist with everything from general questions to the reservations of premium experiences. Representatives will also be available to provide suggestions for dining, entertainment and sightseeing options while in Cancun.
Day Two: Excursion to Tulum, MX and Embarkation
Day two will greet guests with a guided 80-mile day trip from Cancun to one of the best preserved coastal Mayan cities, Tulum. During the trip, a bilingual guide will educate guests on the history, culture and geography of Cancun and the surrounding area. Upon their arrival to Tulum, guests will explore the world-famous Tulum Archaeological Site situated beautifully along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline. Constructed by the Mayans in the late 13th century, the ancient grounds of this city will transport visitors into the past with stunning scenic views from the towering limestone cliffs on which it rests. Following the day trip to Tulum, guests will be transferred back to Cozumel where they board the Victory II and embark to their next stop – Costa Maya.
Day Three: Costa Maya, MX
Enclosed within the borders of the Caribbean Sea and a jungle, Costa Maya offers a retreat completely unique to the area. Opportunities for relaxation, adventure and everything in between abound throughout the region – from colorful fowl speckling the skyline, breathtaking views and white-sand beachfronts to traditional Mexican cuisine accompanied by local chocolate and tequila. Whether wandering the ruins of the ancient civilizations that once thrived in the area, or indulging in the pleasantries of the lively markets, a once-in-a-lifetime experience can be guaranteed in Costa Maya.
Day Four/Five: Scenic Sailing on the Gulf of Mexico to Progreso, MX
Guests can enjoy a relaxing day on board taking in the azure skies and gentle Caribbean Sea as the ship continues on its journey to Progreso. On day five guests will disembark in Progreso before heading on a day trip to Mérida, the vibrant capital of the Yucatán. Setting the stage for the ancient Mayan civilizations that will be seen throughout this cultural voyage, guests will visit the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Mérida to see a magnificent collection of artifacts, including textiles, engravings, ceramics and religious works.
Day Six: Campeche, MX
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the restored façades of historic buildings line the cobblestone streets of this colorful fortified city on the Yucatán Peninsula’s western edge. Day six of this cruise takes guests on a trolly tour of the city with stops at cultural hotspots, including Puerta de Tierra, El Palacio de Centro Cultural and the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral. After a day of exploring, evening entertainment will include an exclusive, authentic folkloric show and performance at the city’s historic theatre, Francisco de Paula Toro.
Day Seven: Campeche, MX
The second day of Campeche exploration presents a completely new experience. The included tour will provide the opportunity to further delve into the Spanish military architecture of the city with a visit to Fort San Miguel. Following, guests can take in the city’s famed fountain show and spend time strolling the charming streets during a Tukulna shopping experience to find a piece of the city to bring home as a souvenir. For a more in-depth experience, guests may choose the optional premium experience to Edzna, an off-the-beaten-path Mayan civilization.
Day Eight/Nine: Scenic Sailing on the Gulf of Mexico to Progreso/Valladolid, MX
On this final day of sailing day, guests are encouraged to sit back and relax as the Victory II continues its voyage through the Gulf of Mexico. On Day nine, the boat will dock in Progreso allowing guests to disembark and be transported by motorcoach to spend a night within walking distance of Chichén Itzá. The excursion features a city tour of Valladolid, most notably known for its colonial architecture and picturesque beauty, including gorgeous cenotes. Aptly nicknamed the jewel of the Yucatán Peninsula, Valladolid’s streets are colorful and buzzing with life. Following the city tour, guests can unwind in the evening in their new accommodations at the Mayaland Hotel. The hotel is conveniently located from the El Castillo step-pyramid and temple and the Sacred Cenote, an ancient Maya worship site, should guests wish to do some exploring independently. An optional evening premium experience is also available where guests can enjoy the incredible sound and light show on the Pyramid of Kukulkán that tells the story of Chichén Itzá in a most unique way.
Day Ten: Hotel Stay in Valladolid/Cancun, MX
The final day of this cruise tour begins with the rare opportunity to greet the day with the sunrise over the mystical ruins of Chichén Itzá and the fascinating El Castillo – the Temple of Kukulkan. Afterwards, an authentic breakfast awaits at the Mayaland Hotel followed by time to explore the architectural wonders at Ek Balam. Lunch will be served at the Hacienda Selva Maya restaurant and the day concludes with a transfer back to Cancun for a post-voyage hotel stay in Cancun.
Day Eleven: Cancun, MX
As the journey concludes, guests can take this day to reflect on their adventure or explore the city at their leisure before checking out and journeying home.
VCL has also created enhanced health and safety protocols to keep guests, crew and the communities the vessels visit safe in the face of COVID-19. New steps being implemented include pre-cruise screening, crew screening, updated boarding processes and increased sanitation measures. These new policies are in place and ready to be implemented when VCL resumes operations in 2021. For more information on VCL’s policies, please visit: https://www.victorycruiselines.com/health-and-safety/.
For more information, visit or call a professional travel agent. As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, VCL is prepared to adjust its operations and protocols in order to ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved.
