Two popular cruise destinations have received updated travel advisories from the US Government – and guests who will be sailing here will want to pay extra attention to staying safe in these ports.

The first of these destinations is Honduras, which is a country in Central America that is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. 

While the US State Department kept Honduras at a Level 3 travel advisory – which means tourists should reconsider travel – the government adjusted the reasons behind the advisory on December 10, 2024. 

Previously, the advisory was set due to crime and kidnapping, but now crime is listed as the only reason. 

“Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, remains common. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, narcotics, and human trafficking, is widespread. Local authorities may lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime incidents,” reads the advisory. 

“Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed,” continues the advisory. 

Cruise ships most commonly dock in the Port of Roatan, which is located in the town center of Coxen Hole in the capital city of Roatan – and is usually the port of choice for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. 

Mahogany Bay Cruise Port, which is located on the south side of Roatan, is also one of the largest cruise port in the Caribbean. This port is mainly called upon by Carnival-owned ships.

Between the two ports, Honduras welcomed 1.4 million passengers in 2023 – which was an increase of 47.6% – with continued growth expected for the tourism sector. 

But while Roatan is listed as a safer part of the country, the US Government still recommends that cruisers keep safety top-of-mind – such as by staying aware of their surroundings, avoiding the demonstrations that occur frequently throughout the country, and not using public transportation (including white car taxis). 

This would likely be a good port to book private excursions directly through the cruise line – as the cruise brand would have already vetted vendors for safety and quality. 

Costa Rica Travel Advisory Updated

As another Central American country that is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica can pop up on cruises sailing to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Panama Canal, and the US Pacific Coast. 

While Costa Rica isn’t quite as popular as Honduras among the major cruise lines, the main cruise ports (Puerto Caldera, Puntarenas, and Puerto Limon) are visited by mainstream brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean. 

That said, the hundreds of thousands of cruisers who sail to this destination annually should be aware that the U.S. government also updated the travel advisory for Costa Rica on December 10, 2024.

Read Also: Are Cruises Safe? What You Really Need to Know

Costa Rica is on a Level 2 travel advisory, which means that tourists should exercise increased caution while traveling here. Like Honduras, the level of the advisory didn’t change, but rather the reason behind it.

The advisory was and still is in place due to crime, but the explanation behind what type of crime and what resources are available has been edited. 

“Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, also affects tourists,” reads the current advisory.

But before the update, the explanation included an additional sentence that read “the Costa Rican government provides additional security resources in areas frequented by tourists.”

It’s unclear why that sentence was removed and if security resources are still in place. 

But like in Honduras, guests who sail here should practice caution – such as by being aware of their surroundings, avoiding walking alone on poorly lit beaches or streets, and to avoid displaying signs of wealth to deter potential robbers.

A vacationer from Louisiana became the 1.5-millionth cruise guest to transit the Port of Galveston in 2024, as the growing port careens toward welcoming a record 1.6 million cruise guests before the year turns.

On December 6, 2024, the port received Katrular Buchanan and her family, hailing from Amite, Louisiana, at Cruise Terminal 28, where they were ready to board Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic for a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise.

“We’re very happy for the Buchanan family and thank them for sailing from Galveston. We’re also excited to celebrate this milestone with long-time cruise partner, Disney Cruise Line,” said Rodger Rees, port director and CEO of Galveston Wharves.

The 2,700-Disney Magic, which has been seasonally based in Galveston going back as far as 2012, will sail to Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico, on her current itinerary. The ship is sailing 4- and 6-day cruises from Galveston until April 2025, before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale and then Port Canaveral through October 2025.

The Port of Galveston, the fourth-busiest in terms of cruise arrivals, is the largest drive-to port in the south-central US region, with a population of some 30 million within 300 miles. 

The port attracts cruise guests from major cities such as Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, and Dallas, Texas, plus Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

Worth Reading: Port of Galveston Issues Traffic Advisory Through Holiday Season

The fast-growing port in 2025 will open a new cruise complex that will house its fourth terminal. The $156 million project features a 165,000-square-foot terminal and massive parking areas. When completed, the terminal will serve major cruise lines such as MSC Cruises and the brands of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

A recently released financial report shows the facility made significant growth progress in 2023, when nearly 1.5 million cruise guests transited the port, sailing from Galveston on 354 ships.

“The port’s continued growth as a home port is great news for avid cruise travelers, for local people who work in cruise-related jobs, and for the entities that benefit economically, including suppliers, maritime services, hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses,” said Rees.

When the final numbers from 2024 are revealed, it is expected the port will have set a record of 380-plus cruises. In 2025, the port expects 400-plus cruises and 1.75 million cruise guest arrivals.

The predictions bode well for the local population, since the port’s cruise and cargo operations help to support more than 4,500 jobs. Those positions represented, in 2023, $291 million in personal income.

Popularity of Galveston Promises Continued Growth

All of the major cruise lines have a seasonal or year-round presence at Galveston. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, currently has four ships based there — Carnival Dream, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Miracle, while Royal Caribbean has Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas. MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape will begin sailing from Galveston when the new terminal opens in fall of 2025.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings recently announced a major, long-term pact with the port, under which ships from all three of its brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — will be based at Galveston.

The 10-year agreement, which will begin when the port’s new terminal is open and has renewal options, was announced in October 2024.

Norwegian Cruise Line will homeport two ships at Galveston, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, beginning in November 2025, and sail Western Caribbean voyages.

Cruise passengers heading to Mexico in early 2025 can breathe a sigh of relief – albeit a short one – as the nation’s government has announced its new Federal Law of Rights tax will be delayed by six months.

The “non-resident” fee, which has been in effect since 1999 but exempted cruise travel, was set to begin charging guests of cruise ships disembarking in Mexican ports $42 (860 Mexican pesos) per person in January 2025.

Following cruise industry uproar, Mexican authorities have now postponed the tax on cruise passengers until July 1, 2025.

The uproar comes largely from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which fears the tax will cause a 15 percent drop in cruise calls. It says cruise lines will be forced to alter itineraries to avoid Mexican ports as they appeal to guests who don’t want to pay an additional $168 in fees as a family of four.

The Mexican Association of Cruises (AMANAC) expressed similar concerns, warning of a “progressive drop in arrivals” that would hurt employment and income for various sectors in Mexico, including suppliers, tour operators, and taxis.

“The impact of this tax on Mexican tourist destinations will be disastrous,” it believes.

Additionally, the FCCA says the reduction in cruise traffic will offset the intended tax revenues, significantly harming Mexico’s cruise tourism and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

“We thank the Mexican government for listening to our concerns and proposing a delay in the implementation of the tax that will fall mainly on American citizens,” said the FCCA’s CEO Michele Paige.

She added, “We look forward to the opportunity to continue meaningful dialogue around a balanced solution that protects Mexico’s communities, supports its vibrant tourism industry, and ensures the affordability of cruise travel for our guests.”

Cruise Industry Warns of Financial Fallout

The Federal Law of Rights, Ley Federal de Derechos, outlines various fees and charges for services provided by the federal government, including those related to tourism and immigration.

Historically, cruise ship passengers were exempt from certain immigration fees under this law as they are considered “in transit” travelers who typically remain on board or spend limited time ashore during port calls.

However, on December 3, 2024, the Mexican government dropped a bombshell by revealing it had passed new legislation that would impose the new tax for cruise travelers beginning January 1, 2025. 

“The removal of the in-transit tax exemption – which was provided to our industry over a decade ago for valid reasons that still apply today – was done without our prior input and after the legislation was passed,” said Paige.

“It is ironic that until this law was abruptly announced the industry was looking to grow business in Mexico, and now the opposite will occur,” she continued.

Industry growth includes the construction of exclusive cruise destinations, such as Royal Caribbean’s new Royal Beach Club Cozumel, set to debut in 2026, and Perfect Day Mexico near Costa Maya, which is scheduled to open in 2027.

At $42 per person, the new tax would make Mexico one of the most expensive cruise destinations globally and 213 percent more expensive than the average Caribbean port.

With over 10 million cruise passengers expected in 2025, Mexico stands to make millions in taxes on cruise guests traveling to popular ports like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.

However, communities already benefit from ship arrivals. Cruise passengers visiting Mexico in the first four months of 2024 alone were reported to have spent an average of $83.90 each.

Read Also: One of These Mexico Cruise Ports Could Be on Your Itinerary

AMANAC anticipates the loss of passengers and ship calls will equate to less income for communities, “fewer jobs and lower tax revenues for the government.”

The FCCA and AMANAC now have until July 1 to convince the Mexican government not to enforce the tax on guests. If they don’t, all eyes will remain on Mexico’s cruise ports as to whether they’ll be able to maintain their appeal.