Cozumel, Mexico — The presence of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean Sea, which is currently affecting the island of Jamaica, has caused the rerouting of several cruise itineraries originally destined for that area. As a consequence, the port of Cozumel is preparing to receive four additional cruise ships beyond those already scheduled for this week, according to Vagner Elbiorn Vega, Director General of the Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo (Apiqroo).
From October 27 to November 2, 22 arrivals were originally scheduled at the port. However, the MSC Seascape, Valiant Lady, Brilliant Lady, and Icon of the Seas will now also call on Cozumel. These vessels are considered among the largest and most modern cruise ships in the world, solidifying Cozumel's status as one of the most important port destinations in the Mexican Caribbean.
Port Coordination for Extraordinary Arrivals
Elbiorn Vega explained that Apiqroo maintains permanent communication with the cruise lines and consignment agencies to coordinate the extraordinary arrivals and guarantee that the port infrastructure is ready to handle the demand.
"We do not yet have the complete information from the consignment agencies, but I estimate there will be at least three more unscheduled arrivals during the course of the week," detailed the official.
He further noted that Cozumel remains the national leader in cruise ship reception, both in terms of passenger volume and the number of port calls.
Economic Impact and Cruise Tourism Boom
The arrival of these additional cruise ships represents a significant economic spillover for the island, as each vessel transports between four thousand and seven thousand passengers and crew members who consume local products and services, thereby strengthening the tourism and commercial sectors.
Separately, Patricia de la Peña Sánchez, President of Original Group, highlighted that November will bring a strong season of cruise tourists, especially within the segment of themed adult travel. She detailed that the group will operate five double-capacity cruises—two Grand Temptation cruises with 1,900 cabins from Miami and three Desire Experience cruises with 630 cabins from Europe—focused on couples seeking exclusive, high-level experiences.
Cozumel Maintains Leadership Despite Slight Annual Decrease
According to data from Apiqroo, as of the end of September 2025, 908 arrivals of "floating hotels" had been registered, slightly below the 916 counted in the same period of 2024. In terms of passengers, the year's cumulative total is 3 million 343 thousand 698 cruise passengers, compared to 3 million 405 thousand 866 from the previous year, a difference of 62 thousand 168 fewer visitors.
Nevertheless, with the extraordinary arrivals resulting from the meteorological phenomenon and the start of the high winter season, Apiqroo forecasts closing the year with figures equal to or higher than those of last year.
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