Latest news with #TheCruiseGuy
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
New data reveals reported crimes on cruise ships in first three months of 2025
The Brief The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released data regarding reported crimes on cruise ships from January to March of this year. There were 48 incidents of alleged crimes on cruises reported to the FBI during that time period, data shows. Those 48 reported incidents, include 33 sexual assaults, seven assaults with serious bodily injury, and seven thefts greater than $10,000. TAMPA, Fla. - The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released data regarding reported crimes on cruise ships from January to March of this year. By the numbers There were 48 incidents of alleged crimes on cruises reported to the FBI during that time period, data shows. Here's how that number compares to past years: This includes data from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation from Jan. 1 to March 31 of the following years: 2019 – 25 incidents 2020 – 18 incidents 2021 – 1 incident 2022 – 17 incidents 2023 – 32 incidents 2024 – 47 incidents 2025 – 48 incidents Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "The unfortunate reality is that serious crimes can and do happen on the high seas," the FBI said in an August 2024 message for travelers. Those 48 reported incidents, include 33 sexual assaults, seven assaults with serious bodily injury, and seven thefts greater than $10,000, 2025 data shows. Some cruise experts said these numbers will cause some passengers to avoid cruises. The other side But, other experts argue context is important: Millions of passengers board cruise ships every year, especially as the industry has bounced back since the COVID pandemic. READ:Horrified passenger films roaches crawling inside Spirit Airlines plane "Ships weren't full at that time. You know, there were the COVID restrictions,"Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based industry expert known as The Cruise Guy, said of 2020-2022 crime stats. In fact, Port Tampa Bay expects to break the all-time cruise passenger record this year as the cruise industry continues to boom, officials told FOX 13. However, experts said travelers in general should always be vigilant. "Going on a cruise anywhere in the world, I mean, it's very important to not let your guard down," Chiron added. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Fox News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Mexico rolls back its controversial new tax on cruise ship visitors
A tourism tax was rocking the boats in the cruise industry, imposing a charge on passengers. A $42 immigration levy for every passenger on cruise ships that dock in Mexico was voted in by the country's congress back in December, The Associated Press reported at the time. The Non-Resident Duty was to begin collection on Jan. 1 of this year. Then, due to strong criticism, the tax was pushed back to July. Now the tax has been dropped to $5 and will be implemented on July 1, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) confirmed to Fox News Digital. "On behalf of the FCCA and our member cruise lines – representing over 95% of cruise capacity in the Caribbean and Latin America – we thank the Federal Government of Mexico for working with us to reach an 'in transit fee' agreement," the FCCA told Fox News digital. The association added that the move "safeguards cruise tourism to the country and aims to enhance the benefits for local communities whose livelihoods depend on it." The fee will gradually increase to $10 on Aug. 1, 2026, then will jump to $15 on July 1, 2027, through July 2028. Starting August 1, 2028, the fee will rise to $21. Before the tax delay was announced, Fox News Digital spoke with Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based cruise industry expert known as "The Cruise Guy." He anticipated that some sort of "amicable solution" would be made between cruise industry executives following the initial tax announcement. He also said that cruise passengers may opt "to skip" visiting Mexico if they had to pay an additional fee. About 16.9 million passengers from the United States cruised in 2023, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
