Mexico to impose tax for cruise ship visitors starting in 2025

Mexican officials may be rocking the boat with visitors by introducing a new tourist tax.

A $42 immigration levy for every passenger on cruise ships that dock in Mexico was voted in by the country's congress last week, The Associated Press reported. 

Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based cruise industry expert known as "The Cruise Guy," told Fox News Digital that "the cruise industry and Mexico have enjoyed a very strong, beneficial relationship."

"I would think cruise passengers would voice an opinion to skip Mexico in lieu of a $42 fee hike," he said. 

Roughly 16.9 million passengers from the U.S. cruised in 2023, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) CEO Michele Paige penned a letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, expressing her disappointment and concern. 

Paige added, "Cruise lines will inevitably reevaluate the viability of these investments considering the potential loss of consumer demand for Mexico cruises driven by the unprecedented tax increase on cruise tourism."

"The additional per-person proposed tax, combined with existing taxes and fees, is a cost that cannot be easily absorbed by most cruise guests," the release said.

Out of the funds raised by the tax, about two-thirds would go to the Mexican army, according to the AP.

Other vacation destinations have recently implemented taxes or raised tourist taxes in recent months.

And the Maldives in South Asia, known for its clear waters and luxury resorts, has raised a flight tax aimed at tourists leaving the islands.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.