Cruise lines were up in arms late last year as Mexico adopted a tax on all cruisers of $42 per passenger.
That fee would make Mexico's ports some of the most expensive in the world. The country has delayed implementing it in order to work out a deal with the cruise lines.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line shares passenger emergency news
The cruise industry has significant power when it comes to simply not visiting a destination. If the $42 Mexican tax increase had been implemented, the country's cruise ports probably would have lost money because ships would have canceled visits to many of them.
In addition, while it did not threaten this, Royal Caribbean would likely have to rethink its plans to build both a new Perfect Day in Mexico and its Beach Club, which is being built in Cozumel.
Now, another major destination has passed a new tax on cruisers with no warning, and the industry is pushing back.
It's important to know that this new tax is per port call, not per sailing, so it would be very expensive for cruisers given how many current itineraries work.
Doug Parker of Cruise News Today has the full story.
Another port could be dropped due to a tax hike
Transcript:
This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker.
Good morning. Here's your cruise news for Tuesday, January 28.
Cruise lines are canceling port calls in Iceland following a significant tax hike for the year. Now, last week we reported on a new fee of $18 per passenger per port, which is a 5-times increase over the previous cruise taxes.
Currently, 80 ships have canceled their visits for the year and MSC Cruises warns that the tax threatens the feasibility of including Iceland in future itineraries.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
MSC adds to North American fleet; Virgin sets record
And speaking of MSC, they have revealed plans to homeport its fourth world-class ship at Port Canaveral for the winter of [2027 and 2028]. This addition, of course, strengthens the cruise line's presence in North America alongside sister ships MSC World Europa and MSC World America.
The ship will offer year-round seven-night Caribbean itineraries, including MSC's private island in the Bahamas.
Meanwhile, MSC Grandiosa will also return to Port Canaveral for the [2026-2027] season.
And Virgin Voyages is celebrating record-breaking bookings and revenue with a 60% increase in sales and near sellouts for early [2025].
The cruise line's fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, will debut in September, joining the fleet with itineraries across New York City, Miami and the Caribbean.
And AAA's first annual travel forecast predicts a record 19 million Americans will take a cruise this year. This marks a 4.5% increase from last year and a 34% jump from prepandemic levels in 2019.
Now, Caribbean cruises remain the top choice, making 72% of the itineraries, with shorter sailings of five days or less also gaining popularity.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Have questions about booking a cruise? Schedule a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner Postcard Travel Planning or call or text Amy Post at 386-383-2472.
The dominators? Well, it's Florida.
They continue to lead the industry with Miami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades hosting megaships across all three ports like Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas.
And finally, happy birthday to my sister Kelly, a captain in the United States Air Force.
Happy birthday, Kelly. We're proud of you.
If you have a lead on a story, let us know at tips@cruiseradio.net and you have yourself a great Tuesday. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
