Analysis: How Mexico's proposed $42 cruise passenger tax could reshape tourism patterns, impact different cruise markets, and what it means for the industry's future in the region.

Cruise holidays to Mexico will get more expensive as one of the world’s busiest ports plans to add a passenger tax. View on euronews

Cruise ship passengers sailing to Mexico – home to the busiest port in the world – could soon face a new tax of $42 per person, whether they disembark or not. Last week, Mexico's Congress voted in favor of the new immigration levy for every cruise ship passenger that docks in any of the country's ports, according to The Associated Press.

The lower house of Mexico’s Congress voted last week to levy a hefty immigration fee on passengers of cruise ships that dock in Mexico.

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association president Michel Paige wrote that a proposed $42 passenger tax would make cruise tourism in Mexico 213% more expensive than the average Caribbean port.

A hefty new tax on cruisers to Mexico could cause cruise lines to adjust itineraries or change development plans for ports of call.

The cruise lines are threatening to change itineraries and pull investment if a proposed migration tax gets approved.

Mexico's Congress has voted to impose a $42 immigration levy on cruise ship passengers, with two-thirds of the tax revenue allocated to the Mexican army, raising concerns about increased costs affecting the country's cruise port competitiveness.

Mexico’s lower house of Congress voted to impose a US $42 immigration fee on passengers of cruise ships docking at any of the country’s ports.

Even if Senate doesn’t approve the measure to implement tax, some cruise passengers will still see their trips to Mexico become pricier. Guests on sailings to Quintana Roo — the state home to Costa Maya and Cozumel — will have to pay a $5 fee to contribute to the National Disaster Prevention Fund under a regional law starting on January 1.

Many ports across the globe are posting record 2024 cruise passenger numbers, and cruise industry growth is certainly visible in a big way. | Cruise growth is visible as Disney Treasure was christened and Princess arrived at Port Canaveral;