Cozumel tops cruise destination popularity list, new data finds
Cozumel has set its sights on welcoming more than five million cruisers by the end of year, after it achieved a new cruise tourism record in the first three months of 2025
According to new data from The Cruise Globe, Cozumel led the pack with 648 cruises logged from January-March 2025 and Cozumel City Council noting that 1,502,727 cruisers visited, followed by Nassau in the Bahamas (646 cruise visits), Fort Lauderdale (592 cruise visits), Miami (583 cruise visits) and Port Canaveral (537 cruise visits).
Emma Le Teace, co-founder of The Cruise Globe and avid cruiser with 77 cruises under her belt, commented: “It is no surprise that Cozumel is the most popular cruise port among our snapshot of cruise super fans.
“The port’s close proximity to the Mayan ruins makes it easy for travellers to see the area plus Cozumel is also a gateway to the Caribbean’s 13 independent nations and 7,000 spectacular islands!”
The online platform has a series of heat maps that depict the exact route taken by every ship using AIS satellite tracking data, including missed ports, diversions, and unexpected changes in course due to weather.
The Cruise Globe also revealed that P&O, Royal Carribean, and Princess Cruises top the charts as the cruise line of choice among these cruise super fans.
The findings come after earlier this year Mexico slashed a proposed tax on cruise passengers which was set to come into effect this summer following pressure from the industry to review the levy.
The country’s federal government initially planned to introduce a $42pp (£31) charge on cruise arrivals, but has since dropped the rate to $5pp (£3.75) when the tax is introduced on 1 July.
From August 2026 through to July 2027, it will increase to $10pp (£7.50) and then $15pp (£11.25) in 2027/2028.
According to industry journal The Maritime Executive, the levy will rise to $21pp (£15.75) – half the initial proposal – from November 2028.
