Cruising The Past Cruise News 
The S.S. ACAPULCO was the first passenger liner to fly the Mexican flag and commenced service from Los Angeles to Acapulco with regular cruise service in 1962. There were special connecting airfares from San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, and San Diego.
- The Acapulco, a 24,400-ton cruise ship formerly sailed between New York and the Caribbean under the name S.S. Nassau.
- The ship was renovated in Glasgow, Scotland.
- Advertising pitch in the San Francisco Examiner: Sailing on the blue Pacific! You’ll love the SS Acapulco and the all-one-class shipboard life. Latin music and fabulous food! You’ll cruise through sunny waters; swim in twin pools and lounge to your heart’s content on the largest Lido Deck afloat! You’ll find real bargains in the duty-free shopping center aboard and fill your time with deck sports, games, and dancing. The air-conditioned comfort aboard the SS Acapulco rests and refreshes you 4 days each way. And you’ve 4 whole days “a la carte” to see Mexico as you please. Call your Travel Agent now and reserve your stateroom for as little as $295.00 round trip. SS ACAPULCO sailings every second Saturday from Los Angeles.
- The cruises offered eight full days at sea with a four-day stopover in Acapulco, which gave passengers time for inland tours to such tourist favorites as Taxco, Cuernavaca, and Mexico City.
- Despite some initial problems on the maiden voyage, along with being used as a floating hotel for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the Acapulco sailed every other Saturday from Los Angeles on a 13-day cruise.
- The cruises offered eight full days at sea with a four-day stopover in Acapulco, which gave passengers time for inland tours to such tourist favorites as Taxco, Cuernavaca, and Mexico City.
SS ACAPULCO – NATUMEX LINE
The ship was a one-class vessel. All passengers dined in the same dining room and had access to the various public rooms, decks, entertainment facilities, etc.
- Instead of the hula lessons that Matson Lines offered on the S.S. Lurline to Hawaii, passengers on the Acapulco learned the art of bullfighting. Luckily, not with a live bull.
- They used a reasonable facsimile, with a bull mounted on wheels and the seagoing matadors were awarded diplomas at the end of the voyage.
- There were two swimming pools, free lessons in Spanish. Cocktails were offered for fifty cents, and a dance band played until dawn if the passenger didn’t collapse first.
TRAVEL AGENTS ENJOYED THE MAIDEN CRUISE
- Travel agents who sailed on the maiden voyage providing. Andrew J. Keizer of Ask Mr. Foster: “I know that I express the feeling of the other travel agents who were on the cruise at the same time, that it should meet with the good public response. It appeals to everybody the young, the middle-aged and the elderly . . . there is something for everyone. Never have we had more fun or enjoyment out of a cruise.”
- Caroline Gates of Ferguson-Gates Travel: “The food was wonderful … the service was good … the officers were courteous, congenial and friendly. The public rooms are very nice.”
- Mort Salter of World-Wide Travel: “The service beginning with the cabin stewards and throughout the ship is superb. We are convinced that Natumex (the operating company) will do extremely well.” Donald R. Innes, Choice Travel Service: “It was a most enjoyable trip and worthwhile experience.”
SS ACAPULCO SERVICE ENDED IN 1963
- Despite the great reviews, Natumex struggled to fill the Acapulco, and her last cruise sailed from Los Angeles on Feb. 3, 1963.
