Mexico Slashes Controversial Cruise Ship Tax to $5, Boosting Tourism
Sarah Johnson
May 14, 2025
Brief
Mexico cuts controversial $42 cruise ship tax to $5 starting July 2025, supporting tourism while planning gradual fee increases through 2028.
Mexico has dialed back its contentious cruise ship visitor tax, originally set to slap a hefty $42 per passenger starting January 2025. After a wave of backlash from the cruise industry, the Federal Government of Mexico has slashed the fee to a more palatable $5, effective July 1, 2025, according to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). This move aims to keep the cruise tourism tide flowing, protecting local economies that thrive on the influx of visitors.
The tax, initially approved by Mexico’s congress in December, sparked concerns that passengers might steer clear of Mexican ports. Industry expert Stewart Chiron, dubbed The Cruise Guy, predicted an amicable resolution, and he wasn’t wrong. The FCCA, representing over 95% of cruise capacity in the Caribbean and Latin America, praised the compromise, noting it supports communities dependent on tourism.
Looking ahead, the fee will creep up to $10 on August 1, 2026, then to $15 by July 1, 2027, and finally settle at $21 by August 1, 2028. While the gradual increase keeps things affordable for now, it’s a reminder that even paradise comes with a price tag.
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Editor's Comments
Mexico’s tax rollback is like a cruise ship dodging an iceberg—just in time! But with fees creeping up by 2028, passengers might need to pack lighter wallets. Why not tax the seagulls instead? They’re the real port freeloaders!
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