Cruise travelers are being warned about a new law in Mexico
- Cruise passengers are being warned about a new vape ban in Mexico that could result in fines, confiscation, or jail time for bringing vapes ashore in Mexican ports of call.
Packing for a cruise comes with a lot of considerations — from what you'll need on board the ship and in ports of call to what you shouldn't bring for lack of space in your compact cabin or due to cruise line rules.
Cruise lines prohibit an array of items on their ships to ensure safe sailings, but those aren't the only items that could get you into trouble for bringing on a cruise. The destinations you visit on a cruise also have their own sets of rules that cruise passengers need to keep in mind. Laws can change at any time, so it's important to always double check travel guidance for your ports of call before a cruise, even if you've visited the destinations in the past.
Passengers who are visiting cruise ports in Mexico, including Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Cabo San Lucas, on 2026 cruises are being warned about a strict new law that just went into effect in the country that applies to something many cruisers may have in their bags when coming ashore in ports of call.
Doug Parker shared more details on the new ban in Mexico that cruise travelers visiting the country need to know about, and more cruise news, on the Jan. 21 edition of Cruise News Today .
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Cruise passenger goes overboard in the South Pacific
Cruise News Today Transcript:
Cruise News Today with Doug Parker.
Good morning, here's your cruise news for Wednesday, January 21st.
A cruise passenger is missing after jumping overboard from a ship in the South Pacific. A 66-year-old American man jumped off of Star Breeze, operated by Windstar Cruises, early Sunday while the ship was sailing in French Polynesia.
Related: What not to forget when packing for a cruise, toiletries edition
Local reports say the incident followed an argument with his wife. The ship conducted an immediate search, joined later by French Navy patrol boats. The man has not been located, and the investigation is ongoing. The ship has since continued its itinerary.
This is the second man overboard of 2026.
Cruise passengers warned about new vape ban in Mexico
And cruise passengers heading to Mexico are being warned: leave your vapes on the ship.
As of January 17th, Mexico has banned the import, sale, and marketing of vapes and e-cigarettes. That means bringing a vape ashore during a port stop, even for personal use, could be considered illegal importation. Penalties include confiscation, fines up to $12,500, or even jail.
Cruise lines say vapes are still allowed on board in designated areas, but not ashore in Mexican ports. It should be noted that this is for all cruise ports in Mexico, not just Cozumel.
New petition started against proposed new Tampa Bay cruise port
And a follow-up to that story we brought you Monday, where opposition is growing against a proposed cruise port near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay.
Now, a Change.org petition started just four days ago has already collected more than 6,300 signatures. Local residents and environmental advocates say the development threatens fragile marine ecosystems and could overwhelm area infrastructure.
The 328-acre site near Rattlesnake Key is still very much in the planning stages. If approved, it would take three to five years to complete.
Related: New Bahamas cruise port planned for island far from Nassau
And cruise stocks were down on Tuesday. Carnival Corporation: down 3.1%, 28.02, Royal Caribbean: down 2%, 270.01, Norwegian: down 7.5%, 20.37, and Viking: down 1.6%, 68.35.
If you have a lead on a story, let us know: tips@cruiseradio.net.
I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great Wednesday.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Jan 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
