Background on Key Figures and Relevance
Quintana Roo, a Mexican state known for its popular cruise ship ports like Mahahual, is currently facing a pause in significant investments from cruise line companies. This situation stems from the federal government’s decision to cut in half a proposed $42 DNR (Derecho de No Residente) charge per passenger disembarking in Mexican ports starting from mid-2025. The key figures involved are the federal government, cruise line companies such as Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean, and the state’s tourism secretary, Josefina Rodríguez.
Federal Government’s Initial Proposal and Negotiations
In response to concerns from cruise line companies, the federal government initially proposed reducing the DNR charge to $21, with gradual increases starting from July 2023. However, after negotiations, the government agreed to cut this charge in half, with the same gradual implementation plan. The senator for Quintana Roo, Eugenio Segura, confirmed this agreement.
Conditions for the Reduced DNR Charge
In exchange for this reduced DNR charge, the Mexican government requested cruise lines to increase their purchases of Mexican products for cruise ship provisioning, commit to a minimum percentage of “Hecho en México” (Made in Mexico) products starting from 2025, and expand promotional efforts for Mexico through their communication channels. Additionally, cruise lines were asked to feature Mexican artisans, textiles, and art during cruises and at ports, track growth in Mexican business participation within the cruise industry supply chain, and hold regular working meetings led by Amepact (Mexican Association for Cruise Tourism Attention).
Cruise Lines’ Counterproposal
The cruise lines proposed extending the gradual implementation of the DNR charge, starting it only in January 2029 instead of 2027. Despite this counterproposal, the federal government’s original plan with the 50% reduction in the maximum $21 DNR charge and gradual increases remained.
Unrealized Investments
Royal Caribbean’s Unfulfilled Promises
One of the major investments expected from cruise lines in Mexico since 2024 has not materialized. Royal Caribbean announced a $600 million investment in October 2024 for the development of “Perfect Day Mexico,” a 90-hectare exclusive tourist resort for cruise passengers disembarking in Mahahual, the second-most important cruise port in Mexico. This project mirrors Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Coco Kay in a private Bahamian island, offering exclusive amenities like water slides, international restaurants, pools, and adult-only areas.
Royal Caribbean’s goal was to increase Mahahual’s annual cruise passenger count from 2 million to 5 million by 2030. Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean International’s Director of Product Innovation, stated that the complex would create 3,000 jobs, with at least 1,000 during construction and the rest for operations. Schneider also mentioned submitting an Environmental Impact Manifest to Mexican authorities by late 2024 to begin construction by the same year. However, no progress has been reported on this front.
Although Quintana Roo’s governor, Mara Lezama, has met with FCCA representatives in Miami and announced that cruise line investments in the state remain intact, there are no signs of initiating the necessary environmental permits for this project.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the DNR charge and why was it reduced? The DNR charge was a proposed $42 fee per passenger disembarking in Mexican ports starting mid-2025. The federal government reduced this charge in half following negotiations with cruise lines.
- What conditions were set for the reduced DNR charge? Cruise lines agreed to increase purchases of Mexican products, commit to a minimum percentage of “Hecho en México” products starting from 2025, expand promotional efforts for Mexico, feature Mexican artisans and products during cruises, track growth in Mexican business participation within the cruise industry supply chain, and hold regular working meetings led by Amepact.
- What investment from Royal Caribbean has not materialized? Royal Caribbean’s $600 million investment for “Perfect Day Mexico,” a tourist resort in Mahahual, has not progressed due to the lack of environmental permits and construction initiation.
