Rapid Increase in Cruise Ship Arrivals in Cabo San Lucas Forecasted for 2025
The picturesque destination of Cabo San Lucas is gearing up for a bumper season as some of the world's largest cruise ships make their way to its shores.
Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, which launched in 2016 and can accommodate up to 4,180 passengers at double occupancy, is making its first trips to Cabo San Lucas this year. Notably, Ovation of the Seas will be homeported in Los Angeles for the first time in its history.
In October, the cruise ship scene in Los Angeles will become even more vibrant as Royal Caribbean's Quantum joins Voyager of the Seas. Voyager of the Seas, another colossal vessel, is expected to bring thousands more passengers to the region.
Meanwhile, Serenade of the Seas is set to begin Mexican Riviera cruises out of San Diego in October. With stops in Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and La Paz, the ship promises an exciting itinerary for its passengers.
The Carnival Panorama, launched in 2019 and carrying up to 4,008 passengers, is a major presence on the West Coast. Several ships, including the Carnival Panorama, are making more than a dozen visits to Cabo San Lucas this year.
The influx of these cruise ships is a testament to the growing popularity of Cabo San Lucas as a cruise destination. In total, eight cruise companies and at least 24 individual ships are scheduled to visit this year, marking a significant boom in the local cruise industry.
The growth in the cruise industry in Cabo San Lucas is particularly important for the region's economy, which heavily relies on cruise tourism. However, the industry faced a potential setback earlier this year when a proposed cruise tax of $42 per person threatened to make visits to Mexican ports economically unfeasible.
The proposed tax was criticized for raising the cost of visiting Mexican ports by 213% compared to Caribbean destinations, a move that could have led to the removal of Mexican Riviera ports from itineraries. However, after strong opposition and negotiations involving cruise ship companies and local business stakeholders, the tax was reduced to a more manageable $5 per passenger.
This compromise enables the cruise industry and associated economies to remain viable while still generating some government revenue. It is a win-win situation that ensures the continued growth of the cruise industry in Cabo San Lucas while also providing a stable source of income for the local government.
With these major cruise ships setting sail for Cabo San Lucas, the destination is set for a busy and prosperous season, further cementing its position as a premier cruise destination.
[1] Cruise Industry News
[2] Travel Weekly
[4] Seatrade Cruise News
- Cabo San Lucas will witness a surge in tourists due to the arrival of several large cruise ships, such as Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas and Quantum, as well as the Carnival Panorama, which collectively can accommodate thousands of passengers.
- The influx of these cruise ships, scheduled to visit Cabo San Lucas throughout the year, is a testament to the growing popularity of the destination in the cruise industry, with eight companies and at least 24 ships planning visits.
- The proposed cruise tax earlier this year threatened to impact the cruise industry negatively, but after significant opposition and negotiations, it was reduced to a more manageable $5 per passenger, ensuring the continued growth of the industry while providing a stable source of income for the local government.
- The agreements reached by cruise ship companies and local business stakeholders were covered extensively in various news sources, including Cruise Industry News, Travel Weekly, and Seatrade Cruise News, highlighting Cabo San Lucas's position as a premier cruise destination and its importance to the local economy.
