
Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by ZihuaRob
, Zihuatanejo, México, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 09:46 (4097 days ago)
Here's something we sure don't see every day (and personally I hope we never do).
The Silver Cloud (on the left) makes her last voyage of the season to Zihuatanejo carrying 296 passengers on her way to Acapulco and eventually through the Panama Canal as she transitions from the Pacific to the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic for the upcoming season.
The Ocean Star Pacific is a new Mexican cruise ship on her maiden voyage. Based in Acapulco, she will be making weekly excursions up and down the Pacific Coast from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto de Chiapas, depending on the cruise itinerary, and besides Acapulco passengers can also embark in Manzanillo.

Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by frostbite
, Hamilton MT, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 10:32 (4097 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
I wasn't too thrilled to see those two floating hotels anchored in the bay this morning, belching black smoke into the sky.
Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by islandgirl , Cowichan Valley, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 10:41 (4097 days ago) @ frostbite
I sort of understand why you aren't thrilled or not wanting to see these ships in the bay. However, from where I sit looking out the window at my neighbour's house, I think I'd trade you in less than a second, if only I was there, looking out at the bay!!! Count your blessings. A full and grateful heart doesn't have room for anything dreary!
Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by LadyM in Zihua, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 10:59 (4097 days ago) @ islandgirl
To me they only change my view not ruin it.
Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by islandgirl , Cowichan Valley, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 11:52 (4096 days ago) @ LadyM in Zihua
Just the thing! After all, things could be worse....

Mermaid Shouldn't Talk
by JeffMN
, Minneapolis MN USA, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 14:12 (4096 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Rob, I don't see how you can decide which is more offensive, the cruceros or the mermaid sculpture.

Mermaid Shouldn't Talk
by ZihuaRob
, Zihuatanejo, México, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 19:58 (4096 days ago) @ JeffMN
Rob, I don't see how you can decide which is more offensive, the cruceros or the mermaid sculpture.
We love our sculpture! And it isn't a mermaid. It is a Mexican girl in her beachwear and she is representative of Acapulco.
She looked even better when she was new.

Mermaid Shouldn't Talk
by JeffMN
, Minneapolis MN USA, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 20:40 (4096 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Sorry, Rob. I like most of the Guerrero regions series, but don't you think this one's a little off? Sorry, I thought she was a mermaid -- sort of a Copenhagen thing.
yep
by andy, Thursday, April 14, 2011, 06:14 (4096 days ago) @ JeffMN
I'm with ya Jeff....there's somethin not right about that one...creepy..as in bunny boiler creepy...
I'm also waiting to see how long before a) she falls in and b) how long it takes before somebody fishes her out...
Mermaid Shouldn't Talk
by tj, Thursday, April 14, 2011, 08:07 (4096 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
"We love our sculpture! And it isn't a mermaid. It is a Mexican girl in her beachwear and she is representative of Acapulco.
She looked even better when she was new".
They all do!
lol! But shouldn't that be..."We all do"
Mermaid Shouldn't Talk
by donna tatom, Thursday, April 14, 2011, 22:10 (4095 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Thanks for the picture she is now my screen saver we just got back from Z. to the rain in Oregon it is nice to see your sun we miss our second home.

Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by Surftex , steamboat springs, colorado, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 14:25 (4096 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
The Ocean Star Pacific is a new Mexican cruise ship on her maiden voyage.
Not trying to be a smart a-- (really), but while this ship is "new" to this particular Mexican cruise line, the ship itself is 40 years old. Just a little trivia.
Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by owiley, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 19:32 (4096 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Rob and the rest in Zihua,
I live in Ketchikan Alaska and we went from fishin, mining, logging (they shipped most of out logs over seas, to hell with our mills and jobs) to mostly cruise ships. We have up to 5 cruise ships a day.. PS I am not to good with emails. They wanted more dock space for the cruise ships, They put it to the locals for a vote and it was voted down.. they went a different way and got the dock anyway. Most of our old stores and bars are now gone. Ps they made Ketchikan , Ketchikan, like the mexican stores make zihua, zihua.. They were replaced by Jewely stores. They take over our town in the summer.If you want to go though Ketchikan you may be driving at 2 miles per hour behind a horse cart. Some locals did get low paying jobs. In the winter they close all there stores and board up all the windows with plywood. They don't live here. I have friends that went on the cruise ships to alaska and they didn't realy see Alaska..I think they should just stay on the big ships. I worked on the Alaska Marine Highway system (the ferrys) and when we see whales or Alaskan sights, We let the passanger know about them. Cruise ships don't like to point out the whales
and other stuff----It pulls the passanger from that great dinner or slot machines. They lose money.
I love Zihua and zihuatanejo.net. Please keep Zihua mexican.
I wish the cruise ship would stay home.. Come up to Alaska and let the Alaskans show you alaska.
Ps.I went to Costa Rica last winter, Wish I went back to Zihua. That is another story. I didn't have a good time.
Keep Zihua Mexican, support the local Mexicans. PS sorry about my spelling.
"O"

Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by JeffMN
, Minneapolis MN USA, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 23:20 (4096 days ago) @ owiley

Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by Curly! , Great Pacific Northwet, Thursday, April 14, 2011, 14:37 (4095 days ago) @ owiley
Very well written. Thanks for your perspective.
--
Curly!
I'm so glad you took the time to write this clear and informative post! Your words give us a real view of the impact of the cruise ship economic 'infrastucture' on a local community.
Everyone I have ever known from the Alaskan towns so affected by the cruise ship industry have spoken with broken hearts and anger about the impact it had on their towns, their economy and their culture. We can learn from your experience. Thank you for writing it.
(By the way, 'we don't need no stinkin' perfect spelling around here' -though I always enjoy the spelling and grammar police . You wrote from direct experience with insight, clarity and passion. That's good writing.)
Hasta pronto,
LauraCasa del Encanto B&B Barra de Potosi

Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by frostbite
, Hamilton MT, Thursday, April 14, 2011, 16:47 (4095 days ago) @ Laura
A few years ago the Alaska electorate voted in a $50.00 per passenger tax. Not too long ago the legislature in Juneau decided to reduce it, because those poor cruiseship companies were whining. I wonder how much money changed hands...
Silver Cloud and Ocean Star
by Craig Scheiner, Thursday, April 14, 2011, 00:51 (4096 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
I hardly noticed the cruise ships with that babe in the front of your picture. Sheʻs hot!! Too bad about the green skin, though.
Craig