Background on the Key Figures and Relevance
The Mexican government, represented by Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez, recently negotiated a reduction in fees for cruise passengers with major American cruise lines, including Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. This decision comes as part of Mexico’s fiscal package for 2025, aiming to balance the interests of both the government and the cruise industry.
The Fee Reduction Agreement
Initially, cruise lines were to be charged $42 per passenger for the Derecho de No Residente (DNR) fee upon disembarking in Mexican ports starting from the second half of 2025. However, following discussions, the Mexican government agreed to cut this fee in half.
- The new fee structure will be implemented progressively:
- Starting July 1, 2023: $5 per passenger
- By December 2026: $10 per passenger
- By December 2027: $15 per passenger
- By August 2027: $21 per passenger
Reciprocal Commitments from Cruise Lines
In exchange for the reduced fees, cruise lines have agreed to increase their procurement of Mexican products for onboard supplies and promote Mexico through their communication channels. Specifically, they are expected to:
- Ensure a minimum percentage of purchases under the “Hecho en México” (Made in Mexico) program starting from 2025
- Position Mexican artisanship, textiles, and art during cruises and at port facilities
- Report on the growth of Mexican businesses within the cruise industry supply chain over time
- Participate in regular working meetings led by the Mexican Cruise Tourism Attention Association (AMEPACT)
Unfulfilled Investment: Perfect Day Mexico in Mahahual
Despite the agreement with cruise lines, one significant investment announced by Royal Caribbean in Mexico since 2024 has yet to materialize. The cruise line had planned a $600 million investment for the construction of “Perfect Day Mexico,” an exclusive 90-hectare tourist development in Mahahual, the second-most important cruise port in Mexico.
Royal Caribbean had envisioned this project as similar to its Perfect Day CocoCay development in the Bahamas, offering exclusive amenities such as water slides, international restaurants, infinity pools, and adult-only areas. The company aimed for Mahahual’s passenger capacity to grow from 2 million in 2023 to 5 million by 2030.
Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s Director of Product Innovation, had stated that the project would create 3,000 jobs, with at least 1,000 during construction and the rest for ongoing operations. However, as of now, there are no signs that the environmental impact assessment has begun, which is a prerequisite for starting construction.
Although Quintana Roo’s Governor, Mara Lezama, has maintained that cruise line investments in the state remain intact, there is no evidence of progress regarding the Mahahual project’s environmental permits.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the initial DNR fee for cruise passengers in Mexico? The initial fee was $42 per passenger.
- When and how will the new fees be implemented? The progressive fee structure began on July 1, 2023, at $5 per passenger and will increase to $21 by August 2027.
- What commitments did cruise lines make in exchange for the reduced fees? Cruise lines agreed to increase procurement of Mexican products, promote Mexico through their channels, and position Mexican artisanship and culture during cruises.
- What is the status of Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico project in Mahahual? Despite announcements, there has been no progress on environmental permits or construction of the planned $600 million tourist development.
