All the major cruise lines that sail from the U.S. recently gave their customers a gift when it came to pricing transparency: They now advertise basic fares including all taxes and fees.
That gives people booking a cruise a true look at the minimum it will cost them to get on board. (Daily gratuities are not included in those prices because technically they are voluntary.)
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But even with the more transparent view of the minimum cost, potential passengers don't see a breakdown of port fees and taxes, which are mandatory.
Every port charges each cruise line a fee for every passenger on board. It does not matter if people actually get off the ship; the cruise lines pay for every head whether they go ashore or not.
Many ports see raising these fees as an easy way to take in added money, which is often invested in the ports. The cruise industry often pushes back against such increases, but they happen anyway.
The reality is that most cruisers have no idea which stop charges how much, but they're also unlikely not to visit a port because of a slight increase in fees. That's what's happening in a major port that nearly every cruise line visits.
Image source: Dan Kline/Come Cruise With Me
Key port in Mexico adds a new charge
Generally, when a cruise port adds a new fee, it does so with the understanding that the money will be going to investment in the port and, sometimes, the stability of the general area. Cozumel and Mahahual, Mexico, will be adding a new $5 fee for each cruise ship passenger that stops at either port.
The new fee won't be enacted until 2025 and the proceeds will be used to improve the port and help fund natural-disaster preparedness across the region.
"Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and the State Government of Quintana Roo are proud to announce their partnership and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Cruise Tourism Welfare Mutual Trust Fund to improve tourism infrastructure, public security, and disaster readiness in Cozumel and Mahahual (Costa Maya), Quintana Roo," the two groups said in a news release.
The funds raised will be split between two distinct areas, about 70% to tourism infrastructure and public security projects and 30% to prevention and attention to natural disasters and health emergencies.
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"A Technical Committee will oversee the Trust Fund's project prioritization, transparency, and operation," the release says. "The Committee will be comprised of nine total members, including four cruise line representatives; four state government representatives; and a vote of the Governor of the State of Quintana Roo."
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Cozumel needs to keep up with Nassau
Cozumel is the top destination for cruisers. It will see more than 4 million visitors this year, which is about 500,000 more than Nassau. Only Miami and Port Canaveral serve more passengers and those ports are mostly embarkation ports, not destinations.
Both ports seem likely to become even more popular when Royal Caribbean completes the Beach Clubs it's building in Cozumel and Nassau. This will be an added-fee private-island-style experience designed for passengers who may have grown tired of these two common stops.
Nassau has been investing heavily in its port experience, adding new shops and restaurants while also increasing how many ships can dock there.
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"Featuring a sixth berth and new terminal building, the revitalized port is now home to a Junkanoo museum, event and entertainment spaces, a 3,500-seat amphitheater, a living coral exhibit, local stores, and new food and beverage facilities," the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism shared.
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Nassau also plans to build a water park at the port as part of its ongoing investment. The park, which is expected to open in 2025, will be a $35 million investment designed to give families more options when they're in the port.
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