Mexico Tax for Cruise Line Passengers Now Delayed — What to Know

The was initially going to be implemented in January but has now been pushed to July.

By Michael Cappetta Michael Cappetta

Michael Cappetta is a travel writer with over 10 years of experience in journalism and television news. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 11, 2024

Close A Celebrity cruise ship seen over a small beach while docked in Cozumel, Mexico . Photo:

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

Cruise passengers with planned sailings to Mexico in the first half of 2025 will be unaffected by the increased government tax due to a recently announced delay in the fee.

Initially slated to go into effect in January, the $42 immigration levy for cruise passengers in Mexico — regardless of whether the passenger gets off the ship — will now be implemented in July, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) announced this week.

"While the proposed postponement provides a temporary reprieve, FCCA stresses that more comprehensive measures are required to address broader concerns about the tax’s devastating impact on cruise tourism, Mexico’s economy, and the livelihoods of its coastal communities," the FCCA shared in a press release.

The $42 tax is meant to help fund military expenses, as the military manages the ports which service cruise lines. It was initially passed by the Mexican Senate last week.

While Mexico has previously imposed a $35 tourist tax, cruise passengers were exempt as they were sleeping on the ship until now.

The addition of the levy came as a  sudden surprise to the cruise industry, which has already sold cruises to Mexico for the upcoming 2025 travel season. The major cruise ports in Mexico include Cabo San Lucas, Costa Maya, Ensenada, and Puerto Vallarta. 

"The abrupt decision was made without consultation or input from the cruise industry and leaves cruise lines no time to prepare guests for the added expense as the majority of 2025 sailings are already booked," the FCCA shared in a statement with Travel + Leisure at the time. The Association represents cruise operators who dock in Mexico and the surrounding region.

Over 10 million passengers are scheduled to cruise to Mexico in 2025 FCCA noted, and the levy would raise the price of the cruise, according to the organization.

Mexico is a popular cruising destination, with companies such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Margaritaville at Sea, Celebrity Cruises, and Virgin Voyages offering itineraries throughout Mexico. 

Over 9.1 million passengers arrived in Mexico on a cruise in 2023, which was a 30 percent increase over 2022, according to government data. November and December are the highest arrival month of cruise passengers. 

The new tax comes as regulators in the United States have added pressure on how cruise lines display pricing for customers. A May 2024 California law requires that cruise lines must advertise prices inclusive of taxes and other fees, including the new levy from the Mexican government, when promoting deals. 

In response to increased tourism, governments have added fees and other restrictions on cruise ships and visitors. For example, government officials in Venice, Italy recently announced a “day trip” fee is set to double to €10, or $10.58, for 2025.