Ferry service between the port of Tampa and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula will commence in 2012.

Bruce Nierenberg, chief executive officer and chairman of United Caribbean Lines promises this coveted and strongly needed new service to materialize in the wink of an eye.

Mr. Nierenberg, has been part of the cruise ship business for almost 40 years and is feverishly working on his lifetime goal of creating a network of ferries connecting all of the Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Bahamas and hopefully Cuba one day soon.

At a recent business conference announcing the new service, Bruce is quoted as saying, “Ferries have more impact than a cruise ship because the people stay for many days and that just one ferry would generate close to 300 million dollars a year in economic impact and create at least 100 shoreside jobs.”

The ferry service journey connecting the US to Mexico will take approximately 27 hours and will be able to accommodate between 1,000 to 2,000 passengers and will have both seat only options or state rooms.

In addition to passengers, these ferries will have the capability of carrying 600 cars and cargo trailers all for around $195 which is roughly half of the cost of air service.

Riviera Maya real estate prices and Playa del Carmen and Cancun real estate prices will undoubtedly get another push in appreciation with just another vehicle to help more tourists and sun seekers to migrate to this magical place.

With President Calderon and Mexico initiating a strong push to be the World’s number 5 tourist destination by 2018, this is a big step to attaining that reachable goal.