The cruise industry's efforts to stop the Mexican government's $42 annual cruise tax has appeared to be successful.
The plan turned a blind eye to the cruise industry leaders last fall and has since met with Mexican government officials to find a balanced solution that supports Mexico’s tourism industry and makes Mexican cruises affordable for travelers.
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Although they focus on their collaboration with Mexico, Cruise industry leaders warn that it would not be difficult for cruise it to adjust its itinerary to exchange Mexican temporary ports with other destinations if the $42 tax is implemented as planned.
Even a small amount of cruise traffic could mean that local businesses in communities relying on tourism lost millions of dollars in revenue, eliminating the economic benefits of taxes.
It seems that the Mexican government has listened to the leaders of the cruise industry and the residents of the port towns and has come up with better solutions.
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Mexico drastically reduces planned cruise tax
The Mexican government has not completely abandoned its planned cruise tax, but has greatly reduced the tax.
Instead of charging $42 per passenger starting July 1, Mexico introduces a cruise tax at $5 per passenger, according to a news report by Riviera Maya.
However, cruise tax is expected to increase again in 2026 and in 2027. It will increase to $10 in 2026, and $21 in 2027.
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According to Mexican Senator Eugenio Segura Vázquez, these new taxes have been agreed by Cruise Services and Related Activities (FSCA) and the Mexican government to increase the contribution of postal tourism to Mexico's economic development.
Riviera Maya News reported that the agreement included “the commitment of the cruise company to increase the number of cruise passengers to Mexican ports, promote infrastructure projects such as the Fourth Pier in Cozumel, and the acquisition of domestic supplies, especially handmade products, especially handmade products sold on Cruise ships.”
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The future of cruise ships to Mexico is optimistic
Although the cruise industry has not commented on the Mexico cruise tax compromise, Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein had previously expressed optimism about ongoing tax negotiations at the SeaTrade Cruise Global meeting on April 8.
“We had an amazing meeting with the governor of Quintana Roo and others, everything was going in the right direction and hopefully collaboratively on its approach,” Weinstein said.
Related: Royal Caribbean Carnival moves with the development of the new island
Carnival, Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines have recently focused on expanding their cruise options to visit Mexican ports.
A compromise with Mexico is especially good news for the Royal Caribbean, as cruise companies are currently making major investments to develop new cruise destination experiences in Mexico to better serve passengers who want to explore the West Caribbean.
Royal Beach Club Cozumel will debut in 2026 and Mexico is expected to open in 2027 at the Costa Mayan. Just like its popular private island in the Bahamas, the perfect day on cocoa cakes, the perfect Mexico of Mexico will feature water parks, pools, pools, beaches, beaches, restaurants, bars and other experiences, all of which and all of the experiences that are partially inspired and Flowell’s design and Flowell.
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