Sun, Jul 05, 2009
 Cheering onlookers, a marching band and a lot of fanfare welcomed the first cruise ship to Guaymas. Thursday's arrival of Holland America's 12-story Ryndam was seen as symbolizing the revitalization of the former shrimp-boat dock into a player in the ocean freight business. gabriela rico / arizona daily star
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Historic occasion draws thousands to see cruise ship come inArizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.17.2008
GUAYMAS, Sonora — It was a moment that brought both the hopeful and pessimists to tears.
As the sun rose over the Sea of Cortez on Thursday morning, thousands of people from across the state of Sonora gathered to witness the historic moment when the Port of Guaymas welcomed its first cruise ship.
"I was one of those who didn't believe it would happen," said Guaymas native Nelida Sanchez Garcia.
"When I finally saw it in the distance, and the sunrise, I couldn't hold back the tears."
As if synchronized by some grand plan, the Holland America cruise ship sailed into the Port of Guaymas at 6:30 a.m., just as the sun rose to highlight the moment.
Along the docks, shoreline and hilltops, people camped out to get a look at the massive 12-story Ryndam ship sailing into the port — a symbol of economic revitalization for the once-sleepy fishing port.
Many wiped away tears as a youth marching band played welcome tunes.
State and federal officials were on hand to greet the captain and welcome passengers, who clustered at the railings of the ship to take in the enthusiastic welcome of the crowd below.
"Bienvenidos!" (Welcome) the crowd yelled to the ship passengers.
"Gracias!" many shouted in return.
Lenny and Bernice Walker were among the first to leave the ship and said they felt like movie stars as hundreds of cameras snapped their photos and members of the media tried to get their attention for an interview.
"Wow," Lenny said. "This is quite a greeting."
The couple, from Seattle, were in Mexico for the first time and were off to a tour of downtown Guaymas for the day.
"If everyone is this friendly, we'll be back," Bernice said.
Guests arrived at a brand-new, two-story facility with a restaurant and 30 shops, and had the choice of eight activities, from a trip to a dolphin aquarium to a relaxing bay cruise.
The cruise ship, which is expected to dock in Guaymas monthly, is but one of the businesses Guaymas is bringing home.
Hoping to capitalize on its rail access to Southern Arizona, port officials have been working with those in the Tucson logistics industry to make business connections for getting some of the Asian ocean freight.
And Luxembourg-based Arcelor Mittal, the world's largest steel-maker, spent nearly $6 million on a port project to stockpile iron ore.
Jose Luis Castro Ibarra, general manager for the Port of Guaymas, said preparation for Thursday's event was done at a record-breaking pace.
The state of Sonora and the cruise line agreed on the partnership 14 months ago, before the port was ready, he said.
But with the commitment of the cruise line, port, state and federal officials worked day and night.
The ship arrived with 1,300 passengers and 650 crew members.
Castro said the port provides monthly updates to logistics leaders in Tucson and continues to seek partnerships.
During a midday ceremony, the governor of Sonora, Eduardo Bours, said he was convinced that the history of Guaymas would be vividly marked by the arrival of the cruise ship.
"This is a new chapter in the history of Guaymas," said Mayor Antonio Francisco Astiazarán Gutiérrez.
In thanking the passengers of the ship, he said "You arrived as tourists and leave as friends."
The ship, which arrived from San Diego, was expected to depart late Thursday after it circled the bay as a way of saying goodbye to Guaymas. The ship will travel to Puerto Vallarta before heading back to San Diego.
● Contact reporter Gabriela Rico at grico@azstarnet.com.
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