We docked extremely early in Guatemala this morning. It is most definitely where they want the tourists. Even the pier is signed as “Tourist Pier” which should give you an idea of how serious the government is about the influx of money from the tourist industry. The sign was prominently on the gangway leading to the dedicated port area fo The port, like many industrial ports is not exactly located downtown.
Just sitting in the Deck 15 Observation Lounge, I counted 32 ships off the coast mostly appearing to be bulk haulers with a fair sprinkling of container ships with one lone large transporter of the type used to ship vehicles.
Anyway – as you want through the entry way where you can get information about day trips, tours, and shopping along with the opportunity to have your ears assaulted by a local group of musicians. The last time I was here (NCL Encore April 2025) I didn’t stop to take this photo. Nor did I leave the port, not even bothering to write a post.,,,,
I don’t remember seeing it the first time I came through this port (Oct 2012 – Vision of the Seas) when I was mostly interesting in seeing something (anything?) of the country itself. For that matter, I think this reception area has been built since then. In 2014 on the Celebrity Infinity, we were returning from South America and transiting the Panama Canal on the way to Miami. In 2017 we stopped here with the NCL Sun on the previously mentioned San Fransisco->LA via Panama Canal with a turnover in Miami. The there was the horrible trip (Alumni related) we took which in 2018. Our stop here was probably the only decent day of the trip.
Anyway, I walked through all of the shops setup in that green area of the first picture while dodging the ship’s photographers. Besides the standard tourist junk there were some brightly colored woven hangings, bags, and rugs. Nothing that tempted me but I could appreciate some of the handiwork. Otherwise? Necklaces, rings, earrings…..
To top off my morning, I arrived back on the ship just in time for the weekly crew drill…..
(oh, for those of you who aren’t familiar – Onyx is the Bengal cat I inherited from the Eldest).
