Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / LuxuryRivieraMaya
A new $42 fee may impact passenger numbers at the world’s busiest cruise port
The Mexican Senate has approved a controversial $42 immigration charge for cruise passengers, a policy that has drawn sharp criticism from the country’s tourism and cruise industries.
Previously exempt from this fee, cruise passengers will now face the added cost starting July 1, 2025. Initially set to take effect in January, the implementation was deferred to provide more preparation time. The measure is part of broader legislation that includes increases in airport immigration charges and entry fees for nature reserves.
Cruise industry representatives have voiced concerns that the policy could severely impact Mexico’s lucrative cruise sector, which generates over half a billion dollars annually. Cozumel, the world’s busiest cruise port, is particularly vulnerable. The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) noted that the new fee will push the average total tax and fee burden for cruise passengers visiting Mexican ports to $62, a 213% increase compared to the average Caribbean port.
Economic Ripple Effects of Cozumel Cruise Ship Charges
“The concept, for example, of a family of four visiting a Mexican cruise port having to pay an additional $168 in fees for just a few hours ashore… will have far-reaching impacts,” the FCCA stated, emphasizing the potential for altered itineraries and reduced visitor numbers.
The FCCA also criticized the lack of consultation with the cruise industry before the policy’s announcement, stating that most 2025 sailings have already been booked, leaving cruise lines unprepared to communicate the additional expense to their passengers. According to the National Confederation of Commerce, Service and Tourism Chambers, the fee could push cruise lines to favor more affordable Caribbean ports over Mexico.
“This could result in a significant decrease in visitors,” said Octavio de la Torre, president of the confederation.
Riviera Maya at the Center of Controversy
The Mexican Association of Shipping Agents echoed these sentiments, warning, “If this measure is implemented, it would make Mexican ports of call among the most expensive in the world, severely affecting their competitiveness with other Caribbean destinations.” These concerns are amplified by the fact that cruise passengers often spend limited time in port, with many remaining onboard during stops. Under the new policy, even these non-disembarking passengers will incur the $42 fee.
Cozumel, which welcomes approximately four million cruise passengers to the Yucatán Peninsula region every year, faces the greatest potential impact. As cruise lines reconsider itineraries, the island’s local economy, which heavily depends on cruise tourism, may feel the brunt of the fallout. Initiatives aimed at curbing over-tourism in popular destinations have gained traction globally, but in Cozumel’s case, the sheer volume of cruise traffic has been a longstanding reality.
Tourism advocates and industry leaders continue to urge the Mexican government to reconsider or modify the policy concerning these new Cozumel cruise ship charges, highlighting its potential to disrupt the cruise industry and the communities it supports. With implementation just months away, the debate underscores the delicate balance between generating government revenue and sustaining economic growth in tourism-dependent regions.
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Bryan Dearsley is a luxury lifestyles writer, a prolific traveler, and a Co-Founder of the Riley network of luxury lifestyle websites.