Mexico Agrees to Phased-in Rollout of Lowered Cruise Passenger Head Tax
After pressure from the cruise industry and concerns raised by local government in the states where cruises contribute to the economy, Mexico’s federal government has reportedly agreed to a lower amount and phased-in rollout to the hefty head tax planned for cruise passengers. News of an agreement is in the Mexican press after intense negotiations that started in December while the implementation was delayed for six months.
Citing the need to support the Mexican economy and for port development, the federal government announced in late 2024 that it would end an exemption for cruise passengers of the head tax charged to short-stay tourists known as a Non-Resident Duty. The fee was to be set at $42 per passenger as of January 1, 2025, with the potential of higher costs when the local port taxes were also factored into the cost.
The cruise industry complained saying that Mexico was jeopardizing the long-standing relationship and its economy with the costs. The government relented announcing a six-month delay till July 1, giving the industry time to adjust. At the same time, the negotiations began seeking a compromise with the industry. In April, it was reported that the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association was working hard to strike a compromise.
Mexican media reports indicate that the deal was struck so that the head tax will begin in July at $5 per person for the next 13 months. From August 2026 through July 2027, it will step up to $10 per person and then $15 in 2027-2028. As of November 2028, it will increase to $21 per passenger.
The reports said the intervention of the governor of the Quintana Roo state Mara Lezama was instrumental in reaching the compromise. Her state is home to the popular ports of Cozumel and Playa del Carmen and derives significant income from the cruise industry.
The cruise lines have also agreed to promote port infrastructure projects including the proposed fourth pier in Cozumel. They will also seek to increase the number of cruise passengers they bring to the Mexican ports and will promote Mexican goods aboard their ships. They will also increase the acquisition of supplies in Mexico.
Federal Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodriguez is reported to have called the agreement a major step to contribute to Mexico’s economic development.
The cruise industry executives speaking at the Seatrade Cruise Conference in April called for greater collaboration with ports around the world and said they hoped ports would discuss concerns with them. They cite the potential for collaboration while ports and popular destinations struggle with the influx of passengers and the impact of over-tourism. As cruise ships increase in size and capacity, many destinations are looking for ways to balance cruise passengers with onshore tourism and maintain the environment for residents.
The reports from Mexico said a joint announcement of the agreement will be released in the coming days.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions to Launch European River Cruises
One of the most storied names in expeditions and expedition cruising, Lindblad announced that it plans to launch its first-ever European river cruises with a multi-year charter running through at least 2028. The company looks to bring its co-branded approach with the National Geographic Society to the fast-growing European river cruise market.
Lindblad is partnering with a newly launched firm called Transcend Cruises which was started in 2024 as a charter-only river cruising company. Transcend focuses on B2B marketing offering customized group travel on its ships. It is focused on the affinity market, tour operators, travel advisors, and meeting and incentive planners.
Transcend in 2024 ordered its first river cruise ships to be built by Den Breejen Shipyard in the Netherlands. The first two ships, which will each measure 443 feet (135 meters) are due for delivery by early 2026. The ships will each have accommodations for up to 120 passengers.
"Our state-of-the-art newbuild river cruise ships offer both a luxury experience, as well as the opportunity to accommodate the lecturing and mind-enriching requirements essential for their travelers,” said Hans Rood, CEO of Transcend Cruises. “With a strong focus on wellness, sustainability and best of services, we are the perfect fit to deliver the programs Lindblad Expeditions require. By collaborating, we are able to create the most exclusive experiences on Europe's most spectacular waterways."
Transcend's first two river cruise ships are due for delivery by early 2026 (Transcend)
The European cruise market has been developed by leaders including Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, UniWorld, and others focusing on cultural and lifestyle experiences. The success of the market has attracted many brands and last year Royal Caribbean Group announced it would expand its Celebrity Cruises brand into river cruising.
“We know that 'how you see it' matters, and that's why we've curated these river voyages with the same depth, care, and expertise that define all of our expeditions,” said Natalya Leahy, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions announcing the plans for European river cruising. “With National Geographic naturalists and historians, and exclusive events woven into each journey, our guests will explore Europe's storied rivers in truly meaningful ways.”
The European river cruise program will start in 2026. The company said details including which rivers it would be sailing will be released in the coming weeks.
According to Lindblad, each voyage will be staffed by one of the brand's veteran Expedition Leaders, several knowledgeable Field Staff, and at least one National Geographic Expert. Staff will guide guests on private tours, exclusive tastings, and expertly curated synonymous with the co-brand. Lindblad and National Geographic have been partners for over 20 years and more recently the company’s ships have all taken on the National Geographic brand identity.
Lindblad launched its first expedition in 1966 with the first non-scientific civilian expedition to Antarctica. Today, the company reports the largest, most diverse fleet of expedition ships in the industry, consisting of 22 owned and chartered mission-built vessels ranging in size from 16 – 148 guests. Lindblad Expeditions offers over 100 unique itineraries across six continents, selling and operating over 600 annual departures on behalf of the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-brand.
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