Carnival Eyes Calica as New Caribbean Cruise Port in Mexico

A port now used mostly for ships carrying sand and gravel for Riviera Maya construction projects is set to become a new home for Carnival Cruise Line ships.

Travel Agent Central reported that the cruise line is investing in improvements at the Calica port -- located near the Xel-Ha and Xcaret theme parks, and three miles south of Playa del Carmen -- aimed at turning it into an alternative (or additional) berth to Cancun and Cozumel.

Carnival calls Calica "the newest gateway to the Yucatan Peninsula."  Some cruise ships have already docked at Calica, but it remains a rough industrial site with no tourism infrastructure.