Mérida, Yucatán — Yucatán has strengthened its position in the international cruise industry after securing more than 170 ship arrivals for 2026 and confirming 156 preliminary arrivals for 2027, state tourism officials announced.
The state’s Tourism Promotion Secretariat (Sefotur) reported the figures following its participation in the Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 summit, held from April 13 to 16 in Miami, Florida.
Sefotur head Darío Flota Ocampo said the participation aligns with Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena’s strategic vision to boost tourism and economic development by attracting investment and strengthening international markets.
During the event, Yucatán held approximately 30 business meetings with executives from major cruise lines, suppliers, and destinations, strengthening commercial ties and opening new opportunities for cruise arrivals at the port of Progreso.
The state expects over 496,000 passengers from the 2026 arrivals, with preliminary scheduling already showing 156 ships for 2027, reflecting industry confidence in the destination.
Key developments include the return of Royal Caribbean International and the addition of luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Virgin Voyages, the latter scheduled for its first arrival in February 2027.
Meetings also reinforced relationships with cruise lines that send the most ships to Progreso, including Carnival Cruises, Margaritaville at Sea, and Disney Cruises.
Flota Ocampo noted that one of the main factors driving cruise line interest is the modernization and expansion of the Progreso port, whose upgrades were presented during the summit.
He added that officials also informed attendees about the completion of the first phase of dredging the navigation channel and progress on subsequent phases, generating positive expectations for sustained sector growth.
Yucatán participated within the Mexico Ports Pavilion alongside Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Veracruz, and Guerrero, as well as leading companies like SSA Marine México and MPS, which specialize in port operations and sustainable waste management.
Tourism service companies such as Aviomar, Naviera M-29, Héctor Tours, Tecnotel, Total Gusto, and Tripping Cool also joined the state delegation, facilitating strategic meetings with key industry players.
The state delegation was led by Flota Ocampo and Raúl Paz Noriega, Undersecretary of Sustainable Tourism Development, who also met with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and participated in the “Meeting the Planners” event organized by the Cruise Planners Professional Alliance (CPAA). Jorge Carlos Tobilla Rodríguez, general director of the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Progreso, also attended.
Seatrade Cruise Global, celebrating its 50th anniversary, gathered over 13,000 participants and 3,200 cruise line executives from 123 countries, remaining the sector’s most important event. There, Yucatán reaffirmed its commitment to positioning itself as a strategic destination in the global cruise market.
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