Key Aspects:
- A petition protesting Perfect Day Mexico has already gathered more than 278,000 signatures.
- The petition is not opposed to the project but wants more environmental assessment and local involvement.
- Royal Caribbean has shared its sustainability plans for Perfect Day Mexico and will be holding local meetings.
Royal Caribbean’s planned Perfect Day Mexico may not be so perfect after all, according to pushback from locals. Multiple concerns have been raised about the project, including its impact on the environment, local culture, beach access, and more.
Concerned residents and supporters have organized a detailed Change.org petition that has already garnered more than 278,000 signatures against the project.
The petition aims to protect Mahahual, the small fishing village in Costa Maya, just two miles from the cruise port. This is the region where Perfect Day Mexico is planned with an anticipated opening in 2027.
Among other claims, the petition argues that the new development will threaten local beach access, damage mangrove systems and coral reefs, and bring unprecedented pollution to the region.
“Royal Caribbean plans to welcome up to 20,000 tourists per day: with them, tons of chemical sunscreen, plastic waste, water-polluting mega-cruise ships, and absurd freshwater consumption in a region already suffering from water stress,” the petition states.
The petition does note, however, that the organizers are not opposed to either development or tourism outright. Instead, they believe stronger collaborative measures are necessary.
“We believe in a model based on sustainability, respect for ecosystems, and justice for local communities,” the petition reads.
To create what the organizers believe would be a stronger, more environmentally-sound project, the petition calls for the current Perfect Day Mexico project to be completely and immediately cancelled.
This can be followed with “a rigorous, independent, and public environmental impact assessment” that includes a national debate about tourism for Mexico.
So popular is the petition that it has caught Royal Caribbean’s attention. The cruise line has responded to many of the petition’s negative claims.
Royal Caribbean is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement and will be holding a community meeting about the project.
“Perfect Day Mexico is designed to generate a positive and lasting impact on the economy, the local community, and the environment,” the cruise line said.
Royal Caribbean is focusing on a collaborative approach, which also includes all cruise lines continuing to call at Costa Maya to support the community and regional tourism.
In addition to Royal Caribbean, ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, TUI Cruises and more also visit Costa Maya.
The cruise line has pledged to conserve more than 100 acres of mangroves, restore natural waterflow, clean up the coast, and protect native sea turtle nesting sites.
A wastewater treatment facility and reverse osmosis plant are also part of Royal Caribbean’s plans, along with using 100% green energy no later than 2040.
About Perfect Day Mexico
Royal Caribbean announced Perfect Day Mexico in October 2024. At the time, Mara Lezama, the governor of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, expressed enthusiasm for the project.
“We are very excited that Royal Caribbean has decided to invest in Mahahual, a land of opportunity and hard-working people,” Lezama said.
The roughly 200-acre project will include the cruise line’s signature water park experience with more than 30 waterslides offering thrills for all ages.
Read Also: Royal Caribbean Officially Owns Future Site of Perfect Day Mexico
The park will also include the longest lazy river in the world, a cliff-diving experience, and a 100,000-square-foot pool (one of 10 pools at the destination).
“At Royal Caribbean, our ambition is bigger than ever, and so is our lineup of amazing experiences we are designing, all centered on our guests,” said Royal Caribbean’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kara Wallace.
Adults-only areas, an exclusive beach club, more than two miles of white sand beaches, 24 bars, and more will also be part of Perfect Day Mexico.
Other than 2027, no official opening date or itineraries visiting Perfect Day Mexico have yet been announced. Whether or not the protest petition might impact the cruise line’s plans remains to be seen.
