Cruise lines hope for resolution after Mexico OKs law with $42 feeCruise lines hope for resolution after Mexico OKs law with $42 fee

Mexico's Congress passed a wide-ranging income law that includes a $42 immigration fee for every cruise passenger, but the cruise industry is hopeful a resolution can be reached.

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association CEO Michele Paige said the industry is working with Mexican officials to arrange a meeting next week between top cruise line CEOs and the government.

Optimism for a resolution

'We remain optimistic we'll be able to work towards a successful resolution,' Paige told Seatrade Cruise News.

Thursday update: Later, in an FCCA news release, Paige said: 'We appreciate President Sheinbaum’s assurance during her Wednesday news conference that the change will happen slowly and that she’s instructed federal officials to work with our industry, but we haven’t heard from anyone yet.'

The industry was taken by surprise last week when Mexico's Chamber of Deputies approved the income legislation that includes the cruise passenger levy.

On Tuesday, the Senate also passed the measure, making it law.

Long-standing exemption

Under long-standing policy, cruise passengers were exempted from Mexico's immigration fee because they're considered in transit, and not staying on land. This was last agreed a dozen years ago, when the immigration fee was $10, following extensive talks between the cruise industry and the government.

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

'Huge impediment' for cruisers

A $42 levy per passenger would be a 'huge impediment' for cruisers to pay, Paige said, adding: 'We've already sold cruises for 2025 and 2026.'

A family of four would now need to come up with an extra $168.

Paige said the cruise industry enjoys strong relationships with state and local governments, ports and destinations across Mexico. In 2023, Mazatlán hosted the FCCA's annual conference and trade show, attended by numerous state governors, mayors and port officials, as well as Mexican tour operators, port agents and providers of goods and services.

'50-year love affair'

Delivering the keynote address there, Carnival Corp. & plc CEO Josh Weinstein said 9.1m cruisers were projected to visit Mexico, 'one of the world's top cruise destinations,' in 2024.

And Paige said the cruise industry's had a '50-year love affair' with Mexico. 

According to the FCCA, cruising contributes approximately $1b in direct spending to the country.

Infrastructure investments

And recent cruise line infrastructure investment plans include Royal Caribbean Group's Royal Beach Club Cozumel, scheduled to open in 2026, and the planned acquisition of Puerto Costa Maya, where Royal Caribbean aims to open Perfect Day Mexico in 2027.