Progreso, Yucatan — The expansion of Progreso’s deep-water port will be completed by September, allowing larger cruise ships to dock and significantly boosting tourism to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, state officials announced.
Dario Flota Ocampo, head of the State Tourism Development Secretariat (Sefotur), said dredging work by the state government will be finished in September, enabling larger vessels to maneuver and dock at Progreso’s cruise terminal.
“We will inform cruise lines worldwide that the port expansion will be completed in September so they can consider scheduling visits from larger cruise ships starting next year,” Flota Ocampo said.
He explained that the increase in cruise traffic won’t occur this year because cruise lines plan their itineraries two years in advance. “However, we informed them about these conditions at last year’s Seatrade Cruise Global, and Carnival announced that two larger next-generation ships would arrive in 2027.”
Regarding the expected tourism surge from larger cruise ships, Flota Ocampo said authorities from all three levels of government are already planning to ensure quality visitor experiences.
“We established a working group this week with various authorities to prepare for the potential arrival of many more tourists at Progreso port and improve their experience during their visit,” he stated.
The secretary will participate next week in Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, the largest cruise industry gathering, where Yucatan will promote the expansion work that will allow larger vessels to dock, leading to a sharp increase in tourists arriving at Progreso port.
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