Petition Against Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico Hits 5 Million Signatures

Petition Against Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico Hits 5 Million Signatures

A petition asking the Mexican government to bar Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico project recently hit five million signatures.

Published on the Change.org platform, the petition was created in late May and asks Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo to stop the development.

First announced in late 2024, the project aimed to build a new private destination at the Costa Maya Cruise Port in Mahahual.

In addition to enhancing the existing structure at the facility, the development included the construction of a large water park, an extensive retail area and various beach clubs.

Despite Royal Caribbean’s plans Perfect Day Mexico in late 2027, the project was recently stopped by the Mexican government.

As reported by Cruise Industry Newsthe country’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources stopped the project in May.

The authority cited environmental concerns about damage to the Mesoamerican Reef and coastal ecosystems as the main reason for the decision.

Calling Perfect Day Mexico a “destructive project,” the petition claims that Mahahual is a fishing town inhabited by local communities and “not an amusement park.”

The document adds that the region is “one of the last places where the jungle meets the sea, where coral reefs still pulse with life, and where sea turtles return each year to nest,” noting that nearby Tulum and Playa del Carmen have “already succumbed to the logic of profit.”

The petition also compared the project with Royal Caribbean’s private island of CocoCay, saying that the development in the Bahamas caused the “exclusion of local populations, massive destruction of biodiversity and near-exclusive enrichment of a multinational corporation.”

The petition adds that the project “threatens the very existence of Mahahual,” bringing risks to the region’s protected mangroves and coral reefs.

“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 said.

With a size comparable to Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Perfect Day Mexico was expected to welcome more guests than Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The company’s private island destination in the Bahamas hosted approximately 3.5 million passengers in 2025.

Royal Caribbean and the Mexican government are now in discussions to move the development to a new location in the country.

The Perfect Day Mexico project included the construction of a water park with over 30 waterslides and what was said to be the world’s longest lazy river.

Plans also called for large retail and dining areas, with nearly 40 bars and regionally inspired dining options.

Norwegian Makes First Overnight Visit to Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Makes First Overnight Visit to Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Cruise Line recently made its first overnight visit to Great Stirrup Cay as part of a last-minute itinerary change.

According to a statement sent to guests, the Norwegian Encore became the first ship to spend the night docked at the private island destination on Jan. 22, 2026.

The two-day visit replaced a previously scheduled call to Costa Maya, Mexico, which had to be cancelled due to port availability.

“We’re thrilled to introduce an extraordinary, first-of-a-kind experience: an overnight stay at our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay,” Norwegian said in its statement.

“This will mark the first overnight visit offered to Norwegian Cruise Line guests. This moment gives you a rare opportunity to be among the first guests to experience Great Stirrup Cay after dark, truly making cruise history,” the company added.

Initially scheduled to arrive at the island at 4:00 p.m., the Norwegian Encore docked at the destination’s new pier at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, due to a medical emergency.

The 4,200-passenger ship remained at the port through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, when it departed for Miami.

Norwegian said that guests were able to enjoy the island until midnight, which served as an all-onboard time.

The company said bars onshore opened shortly after arrival at the island, while light bites and convenient grab-and-go favorites were served at Abaco Taco.

“As the sun sets, the energy shifts to an unforgettable evening celebration, with all nighttime activities focused on the vibrant Great Life Lagoon, the all-new pool area,” Norwegian continued.

While the beach was closed at sundown for guests’ safety, the company also offered a “Glow Party under the Stars” from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

In addition to an overnight visit to Great Stirrup Cay, the seven-night cruise onboard the Norwegian Encore also included visits to Roatán in Honduras and Harvest Caye in Belize.

Carnival Breeze Cruises Cancelled Due to Drydock Change

Carnival Breeze Cruises Cancelled Due to Drydock Change

Carnival Cruise Line is cancelling five cruises onboard the Carnival Breeze that were scheduled to take place in January and March 2027.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the sailings will no longer go ahead due to a change in the ship’s maintenance plans.

Sailing from Galveston, the Carnival Breeze was set to offer short four- and five-night itineraries to the Western Caribbean and Mexico.

Affected sailings include the cruises set to depart on Jan. 11, Mar. 5, Mar. 13, Mar. 18, and Mar. 22, 2027.

The changes come after a short-term alteration in itinerary and drydock plans for the Carnival Breeze during the specific timeframe, Carnival explained.

“We sincerely apologise for this change and thank you for your understanding,” the company continued.

According to the letter, guests will be offered the option to either reschedule their bookings or receive a full refund of the fare paid for the original sailing.

“We have a variety of alternatives and are confident that you will find another Carnival Cruise that is filled with an equal amount of fun,” Carnival said.

Guests who opt to reschedule their reservations will have their cruise rate protected on a comparable sailing in similar accommodations.

Additionally, Carnival is also offering an onboard credit based on the duration of the cancelled voyage, which will be automatically posted to guests’ onboard accounts.

Passengers who were originally set to embark on Jan. 11, 2027, and from Mar. 17, 2027, through Mar. 22, 2027, will receive $25 per person, up to a maximum of $50 per cabin.

For guests who were sailing on the Mar. 5, 2027, departure, Carnival is offering a $50 onboard credit per person, up to $100 per stateroom.

Passengers who opt not to reschedule their cruises will be automatically refunded after July 21, 2025.

Refunds could take up to three weeks to be processed, the company said.