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Petition Against Already-Rejected Perfect Day Mexico Tops 5 Million Signatures

Catie Kovelman
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Petition Against Already-Rejected Perfect Day Mexico Tops 5 Million Signatures

Key Aspects:

  • Even after getting rejected by the Mexican government, Perfect Day Mexico is still feeling the heat online.
  • A petition against the cancelled resort surpassed 5 million signatures weeks after the rejection was announced.
  • Royal Caribbean is currently discussing the relocation of its planned resort with Mexican officials.

The cruise community is continuing to rub salt in the wound for Royal Caribbean following Mexico’s rejection of Perfect Day Mexico.

Even with Royal Caribbean officially blocked from building the 200+ acre resort in Mahahual, locals and cruise fans alike haven’t ceased protesting.

A Change.Org petition that was created to stop the project surpassed 5 million signatures as of June 15, 2026, weeks after the Mexican government halted Royal Caribbean’s plans on May 19, 2026.

The petition has come a long way from when Cruise Hive first reported on it in August of 2025, when it only had 278,000 signatures.

Perfect Day Mexico, at least how it was originally imagined, has indeed been stopped in its tracks. However, the opposition likely won’t go away as the Mexican Government is in talks with Royal Caribbean to potentially relocate the private resort elsewhere in the country.

Why Was Perfect Day Mexico So Controversial?

Perfect Day Mexico was supposed to be a massive resort with a record-breaking water park. While it’s a “perfect day” in the eyes of many cruise guests, the locals have never been convinced.

“Mahahual is not an amusement park. It is a fishing town inhabited by local communities who live facing the sea,” the petition stated.

View of Perfect Day Mexico
View of Perfect Day Mexico

Mahahual is home to around 2,800 permanent residents, some of whom started the petition because they felt Perfect Day Mexico threatened the local environment and their way of life.

As a small fishing village, changes in their access to the sea, the beaches, and the mangroves could come with detrimental consequences.

A harmful impact to the local ecosystem and marine wildlife could put the villagers’ food and livelihoods at risk as well.

“Royal Caribbean plans to receive up to 20,000 tourists per day: bringing with them tons of chemical sunscreen, plastic waste, mega-cruise ships polluting the water, and absurd levels of freshwater consumption in a region already suffering from water scarcity,” the petition added.

“All of this while destroying still-living mangroves and coastline, without a serious environmental impact assessment, and stripping local communities of their own territories,” it continued.

It’s ultimately the environmental impact, particularly to the mangroves, that caused a Quintana Roo judge to halt the project in January to allow for further environmental assessments. These same concerns contributed to the final rejection.

To Royal Caribbean’s credit, the cruise line has made an effort to support the community of Mahahual, such as by rehabilitating the roads in the area.

If the cruise line does get permission to build elsewhere in the country, it will be because the new destination either does not pose the same environmental barriers or the concerns that do arise can be ethically managed.

US Embassy Issues New Safety Alert for Popular Bahamas Cruise Port

Melissa Mayntz
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US Embassy Issues New Safety Alert for Popular Bahamas Cruise Port

Key Aspects:

  • The US Embassy has issued a security alert advising against renting jet skis in the Bahamas, especially in Nassau.
  • Multiple sexual assaults on US women have been reported in relation to watercraft rentals near the cruise port.
  • The US Department of State’s Level 2 travel advisory also notes the risk of jet ski rentals and sexual assault.

Cruise guests visiting the capital city of the Bahamas will want to exercise a bit more caution when looking for the best deal for a jet ski experience. On June 15, 2026, the US Embassy issued a security alert about the lack of safety regulation enforcement for jet ski operators.

More specifically, there have been seven different reports of US women facing sexual assault from jet ski operators in areas near the Nassau Cruise Port, including Junkanoo Beach, Saunders Beach, Cabbage Beach, and beaches on Paradise Island.

The assaults have reportedly occurred on isolated islands near Nassau after the women rented the equipment and followed their tour operators for the excursion.

Additional safety concerns include unlicensed operators and accidents. Cruise Hive has previously reported on such incidents, including in February 2025 when a Royal Caribbean passenger was injured in a jet ski accident at Perfect Day at CocoCay. In that crash, the guest was hit by one of the guides at high speed.

Since August 2024, six US citizens have been hospitalized in Nassau from jet ski accidents. Three of those travelers required emergency medical evacuations to the US for treatment.

The alert also says that in August 2025, a US citizen riding a jet ski was killed after a collision with an unlicensed operator driving an unregistered boat off Paradise Island. It is unknown whether or not that individual was a cruise guest.

The embassy advises US citizens to avoid renting jet skis altogether, specifically in troublesome areas.

“Beware of solicitations from jet ski operators near the Cruise Port, Junkanoo Beach and Arawak Cay, and the small islands east of Paradise Island,” the advisory reads.

Furthermore, all cruise guests and other tourists should be aware that jet skis cannot be rented to anyone under the age of 18. Should a tour operator be offering rentals to younger visitors, they are in violation of local laws.

US government employees working in the Bahamas are completely prohibited from jet ski rentals or usage on New Providence (Nassau) and Paradise Island.

US Department of State Shares Similar Warnings

The travel advisory for the Bahamas issued by the US Department of State also specifically notes problems with boating and jet skis.

“Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred,” the advisory states. “Sexual assaults by jet ski operators have also been reported.”

Specific issues include that personal watercraft may not be safe or inspected to meet the best regulations, some operators offering rentals may not be licensed or insured, and weather forecasts may be ignored, resulting in unsafe conditions for the small watercraft.

Overall, the US Department of State has a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” travel advisory for all of the Bahamas.

Cruise Lines Warn Guests

While cruise guests are free to enjoy ports of call at their leisure and are not restricted to using only recommended tour operators, cruise lines warn against such choices.

Read Also: 11 Most Dangerous Cruise Ports You Should Be Cautious About

Recommended operators have generally been checked for compliance with local laws as well as licensing and insurance requirements. This does not necessarily mean such activities are without risk (guests typically have to sign waivers), but it is a step toward a safer experience.

No cruise guest wants their oceangoing vacation marred by an accident, assault, or injury. Being aware of travel advisories, safety warnings, and alerts can help travelers make the best possible choices to enjoy their getaway.

Galveston Cruise Port Under Tropical Storm Watch as Season’s First Storm Brews

Lissa Poirot
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Galveston Cruise Port Under Tropical Storm Watch as Season’s First Storm Brews

Key Aspects:

  • Potential Tropical Cyclone One has prompted a Tropical Storm Watch for Galveston Bay.
  • Forecasters predict it could become the first named storm of the hurricane season.
  • The storm is expected to strengthen by June 17, 2026, with several cruise ships scheduled to be in the area as it moves northward along the coastline.

A developing weather system in the Gulf of Mexico has prompted tropical storm watches along portions of the Texas coast, including the Galveston Bay area, where the popular Port of Galveston is located, where multiple cruise ships are scheduled to call in the coming days.

The National Hurricane Center issued advisories on potential Tropical Cyclone One on June 16, 2026, as the disturbance moved toward the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

Forecasters said the system could strengthen into the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season before making landfall. If it becomes a named storm, it would be called Arthur.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s latest forecast, the system is producing maximum sustained winds of 30 miles per hour and is expected to move generally northwestward toward the Texas coastline before turning northward inland.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Port O’Connor, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River, including Galveston Bay. The National Hurricane Center said tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area beginning on June 17, 2026.

Potential tropical cyclone one
Potential Tropical Cyclone One (Photo Credit: National Hurricane Center)

Widespread rain is expected across Southeast Texas through at least June 19, 2026, with some areas potentially seeing several inches of accumulation.

While no cruise lines have announced itinerary changes, the storm’s track places one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports under a tropical storm watch as officials continue monitoring the system.

Multiple Ships Scheduled During Watch Period

Galveston, Texas, is the fourth-busiest cruise port in the United States and has become one of the industry’s fastest-growing homeports.

The port handled a record 1.8 million cruise passengers in 2025 and serves as a year-round embarkation point for vessels from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises.

The developing weather system arrives during a busy week for the port with Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas scheduled to arrive on June 18 carrying up to 4,198 guests, during the period covered by the storm watch. The company’s Symphony of the Seas is expected on June 21 with up to 5,518 passengers.

More From Cruise Hive

Several ships homeport in Galveston, including Royal Caribbean’s 3,344-guest Mariner of the Seas, which is currently in Cozumel, Mexico, and expected to return to port on June 18 after a day at sea. The ship is also scheduled to return to sea on a subsequent 4-day cruise departing on June 18.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Breeze and Carnival Jubilee, which both homeport in the Texas town, are expected to return with a combination of up to 5,950 passengers on June 20 with same-day departures on subsequent cruises, followed by sister ship Carnival Dream on June 21.

Arriving later in the week is MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape, which also calls Galveston home.

The storm system is developing during what NOAA has forecast to be a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season. In its 2026 outlook, the agency predicted between 8 and 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes.

For now, the Port of Galveston has not announced any operational changes, and cruise lines serving the port have not advised guests of itinerary modifications.

The National Hurricane Center will issue regular updates as the system moves toward the Gulf Coast.

Cruise Guest Faces Charges Over Secretly Photographing Another Passenger

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Guest Faces Charges Over Secretly Photographing Another Passenger

Key Aspects:

  • A 25-year-old Illinois man has been charged with digital voyeurism after an incident onboard Allure of the Seas.
  • On May 31, the man allegedly attempted to photograph a teen girl without consent, including photos underneath her dress.
  • Security video footage confirmed the incident and the man was arrested when the ship returned to Port Everglades.

A 25-year-old man, Matthew Stilwell of Illinois, has been arrested on charges of digital voyeurism after allegedly attempting to photograph under a young teen’s dress onboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas.

The incident happened during the ship’s recent May 30, 2026 sailing, an 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

On Sunday, May 31, the first full day of the sailing and a day at sea, Stilwell was in one of the ship’s gift shops near the teen girl. He allegedly attempted to photograph or video her without her consent multiple times, including underneath her dress. The young girl reported the incident to her mother and onboard security footage confirmed the accusation.

Local reports indicate that Stilwell knew the teen prior to the incident, though the nature of that connection has not been disclosed.

Stilwell was arrested at Port Everglades on Sunday, June 7, when Allure of the Seas returned to Fort Lauderdale. It is unknown whether or not he was confined onboard the ship or faced any other consequences from the cruise line.

According to the arrest report from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Stilwell now faces three charges of digital voyeurism. He is currently being held in the Paul Rein Detention Facility on $22,500 bond.

Digital voyeurism is secretly attempting to photograph or record someone without their consent. In Florida, these are felony charges.

Allure of the Seas Boardwalk
Allure of the Seas Boardwalk (Photo Credit: Aleksandr Dyskin)

Royal Caribbean has not commented on the incident, as is common when charges may be pending or other legal action may be taken. Similarly, the victim has not been publicly identified to safeguard her privacy.

There were no related itinerary changes or diversions for the 225,300-gross-ton Allure of the Seas, and the Oasis-class ship is continuing to cruise as planned.

Shocking Rise in Similar Incidents

This latest incident comes just weeks after multiple crew members from Disney Magic were arrested in San Diego at the end of April in what was later revealed to be a child sexual abuse situation involving the possible distribution of inappropriate materials featuring minors.

Many cruise guests are on the alert for such dangerous situations, but the incident aboard Allure of the Seas proves that predators could be familiar people, whether onboard a ship or not.

Cruise lines have taken what steps they can to minimize the risk of secret filming or recording without permission.

In early 2026, for example, Cruise Hive reported that Royal Caribbean implemented stronger restrictions on smart glasses that could discreetly film guests. MSC Cruises has had similar policies in place since December 2025.

While Stilwell did not use smart glasses in his attempt to record or photograph the teen, but rather was using the camera app on his phone, the increased concern over such situations has raised vigilance for all travelers.

There have been several cases in the past where illegal cameras have been installed onboard cruise ships by less reputable crew members or guests.

In May 2023, a guest onboard Harmony of the Seas (sister ship to Allure of the Seas) planted a hidden camera in a bathroom near the ship’s FlowRider. That guest was arrested and charged with video voyeurism.

Such incidents are rare compared to the hundreds of thousands of cruise guests who set sail every year and enjoy safe, memorable cruise vacations. Allure of the Seas can welcome 5,484 guests at double occupancy, or up to 6,780 guests when fully booked with all berths filled.

Carnival Guest’s Pier Jump Stuns Fellow Cruisers in Cozumel

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Guest’s Pier Jump Stuns Fellow Cruisers in Cozumel

Key Aspects:

  • A guest deliberately jumped off the dock in Cozumel recently and initially swam away from rescue devices.
  • Video of the incident has gone viral with more than 2 million views, nearly 15,000 shares, and thousands of comments.
  • The identity of the guest has not been revealed but he will likely face severe consequences from Carnival Cruise Line.

A calm afternoon in Cozumel quickly turned chaotic when a Carnival cruise guest decided to take an unauthorized dip right off the pier.

The strange incident was captured on video by a guest returning to Carnival Breeze at the end of a fun day in Mexico. The video, posted on TikTok with more than 2.2 million views, starts with the walk down the pier past several Carnival crew members holding fun signs and dancing as guests return to the ship.

In the background, however, the ship’s gangway is visible and a young man in a red shirt and patterned shorts runs up to the railing, drops what appears to be a backpack, and climbs the rail before falling toward the water.

He hits a pipe that runs alongside the pier as he falls, then splashes into the water. It is unknown whether or not he may have been injured, but as the video continues he is seen calmly floating and backstroking in the water.

At no time does the guest appear frantic or out of control in the water, nor does he appear to need assistance. In fact, when tethered life rings are tossed toward him for rescue, he ignores them and swims further away at times.

Despite the guest’s lack of concern, Carnival crew members react immediately with emergency procedures. Not only are life rings tossed toward the guest multiple times, but a ladder is brought down the side of the pier so he can climb out.

The more than 4-minute video lacks sound (other than a jazzy music overlay in the beginning), but other guests on the pier are clearly confused by his actions and concerned about the outcome. As crew members work to bring him back to the dock, other guests are asked to clear the area.

He finally does swim to a life ring and uses it as a leisurely ride to the dock as the ladder is lowered to him. The video cuts off before he is shown actually exiting the water, but a still shot at the end shows him soaking wet in a wheelchair.

@mzvictorious33

This was so scary and completely off guard 😭 #fyp #carnivalcruise #cozumel #jumpintheocean #overboard

♬ Saxophones getting louder – Slowed – AntonioVivald

Carnival Cruise Line has not commented publicly on the incident and no further identifying information about the guest is available.

The exact date of the incident is also not confirmed. Margaritaville at Sea Islander can be seen in the background, but both Carnival Breeze and Margaritaville at Sea Islander were visiting the popular Mexican port on Saturday, May 30 as well as Wednesday, June 3.

Though the video was posted online on June 4, it may have been recorded several days earlier.

Why Did He Do It?

Speculation is rampant about why the guest made the conscious choice to jump off the dock. More than 2,000 comments have been made on the now-viral video, which has also been shared nearly 15,000 times.

Some guests believe the guest may have been drunk, either from over-indulging in port or through the onboard drink package, or both.

Another possibility is simply a dare or a way to get attention in the hopes of going viral. This is less likely, however, as no one has claimed ownership of the dangerous stunt.

Close examination of the video seems to support the idea that he may have hit his head during the fall, but that does not explain his initial urge to climb over the railing in the first place. It could, however, explain any confusion in the water and why he did not reach out for the life rings right away.

Consequences He May Face

The quick stunt could have a very long-lasting impact on the guest, as it is a very real possibility that he may be banned for life from Carnival Cruise Line.

While the cruise line’s Cruise Ticket Contract does not explicitly cover jumping off a dock in a port of call, conduct policies do discuss dangerous behavior.

“Any illegal activity or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated,” the contract reads. “Any Guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety, or well-being of other guests or crew will be detained onboard and/or disembarked at their own expense and will be prohibited from sailing with Carnival in the future.”

Violations of the Code of Conduct also incur a $500 fine that will be charged to the involved guest’s Sail and Sign account.

Read Also: What Happens If You Jump Off a Cruise Ship?

Undoubtedly the guest’s actions were a violation of the policy as well as a waste of resources as crew members responded to the manufactured emergency.

The guest may also face fines or other penalties from authorities in Cozumel. It is unknown at this time if any charges have been brought against him, though a full investigation is sure to follow.

Not the First Pier Jumper

Interestingly, this is not the first time a cruise guest has decided to dive into trouble while their ship is docked. Cruise Hive has reported on other incidents, such as in June 2025 when a guest jumped off the dock in Juneau, Alaska. That incident appeared to be a stunt for viral likes and shares.

Other incidents have been more straightforward and honorable, such as the mother who dove into the water after her child fell from the pier at Celebration Key in December 2025.

Many times when an unfortunate situation develops when someone may fall off a dock (perhaps due to a medical incident), guests are quick to offer assistance, even jumping in after them if possible.

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