Cruise lines alarmed by Mexico plan for $42 fee per passengerCruise lines alarmed by Mexico plan for $42 fee per passenger

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association expressed disappointment and surprise with Mexico's Chamber of Deputies voting to charge a $42 immigration fee for every passenger.

Longstanding cruise exemption

Under longstanding policy, cruise passengers were exempted from the immigration fee because they're considered in transit, and not staying on land.

The lower house of Mexico's Congress voted last week to change that. Such action would have to be approved by the Senate.

'On behalf of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and our cruise line members, we are disappointed and surprised by the removal of the “in transit” exemption that has applied to cruise passengers for more than two decades,' FCCA CEO Michele Paige said in a statement to Seatrade Cruise News.

Billions in cruise investments/impact

'In the past year alone, our industry has delivered billions of dollars in commercial investment and economic impact to Mexico, transporting millions of visitors to the country and contributing approximately $1 billion in direct spending,' Paige continued.

'It is our hope to find a pathway forward that ensures continued shared value for Mexico, its citizens, our guests and the cruise line industry for decades to come.'

Shipping agents react

The Associated Press cited a statement by the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents, which said the change would make the country's ports of call among the world's most expensive, 'severely affecting their competitiveness.'

Related:Caribbean cruise spending hits $4.27b high

According to the AP, two-thirds of the money raised would go to the Mexican army, not to improve port facilities.

Since 2020, Mexico's army has been in charge of its seaports, a change made by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador aimed at combating corruption and drug smuggling.