Cruise lovers, grab your piña coladas and brace yourselves—Mexico almost made your vacation way more expensive! Late last year, the country proposed a tax of $42 per passenger for every cruise ship that docked at its ports. That’s right—forty-two dollars. Per person. Per port.
For comparison, most cruise destinations charge less than $20 per person in port taxes. So, this new fee would have made Mexico one of the most expensive cruise destinations in the world. The good news? Mexico put the brakes on the tax (for now) while negotiating with cruise lines. But that didn’t stop major players like MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean from making their stance crystal clear.
Let’s dive into why cruise lines are not fans of this tax and how it could change your next vacation.
A Tax That Hits Every Passenger (Even Your Ice Cream-Covered Toddler)
Before you think, “I’ll just stay on the ship and avoid the fee,” let’s clear that up. Nope! Whether you step onto Mexican soil or lounge by the pool, frozen cocktail in hand, you still pay the tax.
Your toddler? Yep, they pay too—while simultaneously melting soft-serve ice cream into their swimsuit. Even if your entire plan is to sleep in and ignore the existence of land altogether, the charge still applies.
This hefty per-person tax had the potential to turn budget-friendly cruise vacations into pricey endeavors, especially for families or large groups. And as you can probably guess, cruise lines weren’t thrilled about that.
Cruise Lines Hold the Power
Here’s the thing—cruise lines have serious leverage when it comes to where they dock. If a port gets too expensive, they can simply remove it from the itinerary.
If Mexico had pushed forward with this tax, its ports likely would have lost money, not gained it. Why? Because if ships stopped visiting, local businesses—tour companies, restaurants, souvenir shops, and bars—would lose thousands of potential customers.
Imagine a ship carrying 4,000 passengers. If even half of those people disembark and spend money on excursions, meals, or drinks, they contribute significantly to the local economy. Multiply that by multiple ships per week, and you’re looking at a major economic impact.
By proposing a tax this high, Mexico risked scaring off the cruise industry entirely, which would have cost businesses much more than the potential tax revenue.
Royal Caribbean’s Big Plans Could Be in Jeopardy
Beyond the immediate impact on itineraries, Royal Caribbean also had to consider its long-term investments in Mexico. The company has been working on two major projects:
- A New Perfect Day in Mexico – A private destination similar to their wildly popular Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
- A Beach Club in Cozumel – An exclusive retreat designed for Royal Caribbean passengers looking for a more curated, high-end beach experience.
If Mexico made itself an unattractive cruise destination due to high fees, Royal Caribbean might have had to reconsider whether these investments were worth it. And if those projects got scrapped, it wouldn’t just affect Royal Caribbean—it would impact jobs and tourism dollars in Mexico as well.
How the Tax Works (And Why It’s a Problem for Itineraries)
One of the biggest issues with this tax is how it’s applied. It’s not per sailing—it’s per port. That means if your cruise stops in three different Mexican ports, you’re getting hit with the fee three times.
For a family of four, that could add an extra $500+ to the cost of their trip—just in taxes! That’s enough to book another cruise excursion or pay for unlimited specialty dining onboard.
Considering many Caribbean itineraries include multiple Mexican stops—like Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso—this tax could have made those itineraries significantly more expensive.
What Happens Next?
For now, Mexico has hit the pause button on this tax while negotiating with cruise lines. The cruise industry has made it clear that they won’t just roll over and accept the fee without a fight.
If Mexico finds a middle ground—perhaps lowering the fee or offering incentives for cruise lines to keep coming—then things might settle down. But if they push forward with the $42 charge, expect to see major itinerary changes from cruise lines that aren’t willing to pass those costs on to passengers.
Would You Still Cruise to Mexico If This Tax Was Implemented?
If the $42 per-person tax became permanent, would it affect your decision to book a cruise with Mexican ports? Would you be willing to pay the extra fee, or would you prefer an itinerary that skips Mexico altogether? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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