Mexico has doubled its tax for cruise ship passengers, with two further rises planned over the next two years.
The first rise came into effect on 1 August, taking the fee from $5 to $10 per person. The tax will increase again, by 50% to $15, from 1 July 2027 and a third rise to $21 will take effect on 1 August 2028.
Passengers visiting multiple Mexican ports on the same cruise itinerary will only pay the fee once.
In 2024, proposed plans to hike the tax to $42 were scrapped after a backlash from the cruise industry.
At the time, The Florida and Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which represents 23 cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line, wrote to Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum to warn that cruise lines may adjust itineraries if the fee were implemented.
The current fees, which are collected by the cruise ships, have been agreed by the Federation of Cruise Services and Related Activities and the Mexican Government.
In return for the reduced charge, cruise ship companies agreed to several other commitments, including increasing the number of cruise passengers to Mexican ports, promoting infrastructure jobs and selling artisanal products on board.
Travel Gossip has contacted the FCCA for comment.
