Acapulco

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In 1965, the port of Acapulco was not deep enough to accommodate a ship of Oriana's size (albeit Oriana was smaller than the popular cruise ships of today). Instead, Oriana anchored in Acapulco Bay. Passengers needed to use tenders to reach the dock, as is still the custom at many island ports today. Two long accommodation ladders were rigged at the side of ship to lead down from the Promenade Deck to the waiting tenders. The tenders in use were open cargo lighters.

Once on the dock in Acapulco, we teamed up with two young teachers we'd met on board to share a taxi for sightseeing. They were from New Jersey and replied "We teach" when my mother asked them what they did. The taxi driver took us on a sightseeing drive up to an overlook for a panoramic view of Acapulco Bay and then to La Quebrada to watch the famous cliff divers in action before leaving us off downtown. The cliff divers literally jump off a rocky cliff for a tricky 148 ft. (45 m) dive down into the sea below. Returning to the downtown area, we walked along Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, the Main Street, browsing the shops until it was time to return to the ship.

Sadly, Acapulco is considered to be a dangerous locale today. Cruise ships calling at Mexico's Pacific coast have moved to other ports.

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Photos

Oriana in Acapulco Bay
Oriana in Acapulco Bay off Acapulco. Note the accommodation ladders rigged to permit access to the tenders.
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Tendering at Acapulco
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Acapulco Bay
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Acapulco Bus
City Bus on Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, Acapulco, Mexico, 1965.
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Downtown Acapulco
Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, Main Street of Acapulco, 1965.
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Acapulco Bay
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Acapulco Bay
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Cliff Diver
Acapulco Cliff Diver at La Quebrada. IMG00015p1

Coasting Along Central America
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