Quintana Roo Sets 2025 Cruise Record With 7.4M Passengers

Quintana Roo posted its strongest year on record for cruise tourism in 2025, with Governor Mara Lezama reporting more than 7.4 million cruise passengers and 1,874 ship calls across the state’s ports.

Quintana Roo’s record year, led by Cozumel and Costa Maya

“In 2025, we experienced the best year in the history of cruise tourism in Quintana Roo,” Lezama said. “More than 7.4 million cruise passengers and 1,874 vessels arrived at our ports.”

State officials have pointed to Cozumel and Costa Maya as the primary gateways behind those totals. Lezama highlighted Costa Maya’s growth in her year-end update, citing 2.8 million passengers and 574 cruise ship calls in 2025.

Cozumel’s 2025 totals show heavy traffic, with a split in reported passenger counts

Data from the Quintana Roo Port Authority (APIQROO) shows Cozumel received 4.73 million cruise passengers in 2025, arriving on 1,300 cruise ships. APIQROO’s figures represent a 2.3% increase from 2024, when the island recorded 4.62 million passengers on 1,281 ship calls.

Lezama separately reported that Cozumel finished 2025 with 4.62 million cruise visitors and 1,300 ship calls, describing the year-end level as broadly comparable to 2024. The two sources align on the 2025 ship-call total, but differ on the passenger volume attributed to the year.

Peak-season surges pushed monthly arrivals above 160 calls

APIQROO’s monthly data showed particularly strong traffic in the busiest periods of the year. The port authority recorded 161 cruise calls in January 2025 and 162 in December 2025, putting both months above 160 arrivals.

Those totals exceeded the roughly 150 ship arrivals seen in January and December 2024, underscoring how consistently cruise lines continue to schedule Cozumel during peak season.

First-time ship calls and the draw of reefs and cultural attractions

Beyond the headline volume, APIQROO also counted 11 cruise ships that had not previously called at Cozumel, adding new names to the island’s itinerary mix. The ships cited included Star of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and MSC World America.

Tourism officials have attributed the island’s sustained demand to a combination of cultural attractions and Cozumel’s reef-focused natural areas, including coral reefs that remain a core draw for nature-driven visitors.

Royal Beach Club Cozumel: timeline, amenities, and public-access questions

Attention is also turning to a major cruise-focused project planned for the island: Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Cozumel, which is slated to open in 2026 (with planning materials describing a late-2026 opening).

The 17.1-hectare development is described as featuring exclusive beach space, pools, all-inclusive food and beverage options, and dedicated areas tailored for cruise passengers. The project has also generated public discussion, including social media questions about whether beach access could be limited.

According to the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), submitted to Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the development will not privatize the beach or restrict public access.

Environmental footprint and mitigation commitments outlined in the EIS

Royal Caribbean’s EIS describes an oceanfront site near Playa Sol and Playa Mía in Quintana Roo totaling 17.1 hectares. The filing states that 5.39 hectares would be used for construction, while 12.03 hectares would remain undeveloped and without buildings.

The EIS evaluates 15 environmental elements and outlines expected impacts across development phases, along with mitigation, restoration, and conservation measures.

• Severe impacts (in at least one phase): The EIS cites reduced vegetation cover (including medium sub-evergreen forest), impacts on mangrove specimens, loss of some native plant species, and reduced habitat for wildlife.
• Moderate impacts: The filing lists changes tied to soil quality and infiltration, groundwater quality, landscape alteration, and the loss of native fauna among the elements categorized as moderate.
• Compatible impacts: Air quality and noise are categorized as compatible impacts, with limited effects expected.

As part of its mitigation plan, Royal Caribbean said it would relocate flora and fauna, restore impacted areas, and implement detailed conservation measures. The company projects that 85% of cleared vegetation would survive through restoration programs, and that nine out of 10 animals affected by construction could be captured, relocated, or deterred without injury, with relocated fauna moved to nearby areas with similar environmental conditions.

What officials and cruise lines are watching in 2026 and beyond

Looking ahead, Lezama has tied the state’s record year to coordinated efforts among government, the private sector, and international partners, while pointing to continued cruise scheduling into the 2026–27 season. Cozumel officials are also pursuing a goal of 5 million annual passengers for the island in 2026.

In addition to the Royal Beach Club Cozumel opening in 2026, Royal Caribbean is also developing Perfect Day Mexico in the Costa Maya area, with a 2027 timeline, as cruise lines continue building out new offerings tied to Quintana Roo’s two busiest cruise gateways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many cruise passengers visited Cozumel in 2025?

APIQROO reported 4.73 million cruise passengers arriving in Cozumel in 2025 on 1,300 ship calls. Governor Mara Lezama separately cited 4.62 million visitors for Cozumel in 2025, also on 1,300 calls.

How many cruise passengers arrived across Quintana Roo in 2025?

Governor Mara Lezama said more than 7.4 million cruise passengers arrived statewide in 2025, with 1,874 cruise ship calls at Quintana Roo ports.

Will Royal Beach Club Cozumel restrict public beach access?

No. A review of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement submitted to SEMARNAT states the development will not privatize the beach or restrict public access.

How much of the Royal Beach Club site is planned for construction?

Royal Caribbean’s EIS describes a 17.1-hectare site, with 5.39 hectares planned for construction and 12.03 hectares designated to remain undeveloped and free of buildings.

What mitigation steps does Royal Caribbean describe in the EIS?

The EIS outlines mitigation, restoration, and conservation measures that include relocating flora and fauna, restoring impacted areas, and conservation programs. The filing includes projections that 85% of cleared vegetation would survive through restoration programs and that nine out of 10 animals would be captured, relocated, or deterred without injury, with relocated fauna moved to nearby areas with similar environmental conditions.