The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has warned that cruise lines are considering new itineraries that bypass Mexico due to a proposed $42 fee for cruise passengers. This fee, set to take effect in 2025, could significantly impact Cozumel and Mahahual, two of Mexico’s main cruise ports.
Current and Proposed Fees
Currently, Jamaica charges $20 per cruise passenger, while Cozumel charges $28. If the new $42 fee is approved, the total cost for cruise passengers in Cozumel will rise to $70. Michele Paige, FCCA’s general director, stated that this would make Mexico 213% more expensive than the average Caribbean port.
Impact on Mexican Ports
Paige explained that Mazatlán currently charges $16 per cruise passenger, and Mahahual charges $19. With the proposed increase, Mazatlán’s fee will rise to $58, and Mahahual’s to $61. This would make these Mexican ports significantly more expensive than others in the Caribbean, such as St. Martin ($14) and Jamaica ($20).
Industry Concerns
The proposed fee, already approved by commissions in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, corresponds to the Non-Resident Fee typically paid by international visitors arriving by air. Cruise passengers, who usually stay less than 24 hours, have not been subject to this fee until now.
Paige noted that the cruise industry was surprised by this sudden measure, which was implemented without analyzing its impact. In 2023, Mexico attracted over 9 million cruise passengers on 2,743 ships. Despite efforts to communicate with federal legislators and Claudia Sheinbaum’s government, the proposal advanced quickly and could be approved by Congress on November 3.
Potential Consequences
Paige warned that some cruise lines might cancel routes to Mexico if the fee is implemented. The FCCA is asking the Quintana Roo government to pause a separate $5 charge for cruise tourists in Cozumel and Mahahual, set to begin in 2025 for infrastructure improvements.
With most 2025 cruises already booked, vacationers will have little time to plan for the additional costs. The FCCA executive emphasized the need for adequate notification and time for the cruise industry and Mexican communities dependent on cruise tourism to express their concerns.
Source: El Economista
