When you book a cruise, you will have to pay port fees for every port the ship visits, whether you intend to get off the ship or not.
These range from a few dollars to the whopping $42 per passenger fee that’s scheduled to be added for Mexican ports. That tax, which the cruise lines heavily oppose, was supposed to be implemented in January.
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In most cases, cruise ports work with the cruise lines when it comes to implementing fees. It’s quite common for an increase in fees to be negotiated along with specific improvements being made to the port and cruise terminal.
Nassau, for example, has completed the first stage of a massive overhaul of its port area that has been partially funded by higher port fees. Now, another popular cruise destination, St. Thomas, will raise fees in 2025.
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St. Thomas is part of the US Virgin Islands
Multiple major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Disney Cruise Line, make stops in Charlotte Amalie, the cruise port for the US Virgin Islands. Royal Caribbean described the port on its website.
“Charlotte Amalie is one of the world’s most beautiful harbors; blue waters peppered with sailing boats and green hills dotted with quaint little cottages make for picture-perfect brags. Just outside the lively port town, you’ll find ribbons of powdery sand beaches dotted with hammocks. Cruise to St Thomas and explore colonial landmarks like Blackbeard’s Castle or raise a pint of the local lager at quaint microbreweries,” it shared.
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While many Americans may not know this, St. Thomas is a territory controlled by the United States as part of the US Virgin Islands.
“St. Thomas may technically be part of the US, but with its colorful markets, unspoiled beaches, and the ever-present sound of steel drums, you’ll feel a world away,” Royal Caribbean added.
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St. Thomas port fees are going up
St. Thomas has become the latest cruise port with plans to increase port fees in the coming year.
“Cruise guests traveling to St. Thomas may need to pay not one, not two, but three higher fees in 2025 in order to fund critical infrastructure projects requested by cruise lines. The new fees will begin on two separate dates, and which fees guests pay will depend on exactly where their ships dock,” CruiseHive reported.
The fees were approved by the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) in Sept and discussed in a public meeting on Dec. 17.
All cruise ship fees for the US Virgin Islands are set through contracts with the cruise lines. The latest agreement calls for multiple increases.
“Port dues will increase by $3 per passenger and will fund the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project. The current rate is $6.84 cents and the new rate will be $9.84 per passenger. The Port Authority collects these fees directly,” a local St. Thomas news website reported.
There will also be a second fee for certain docks.
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“Additionally, the wharfage fees will increase by $0.44 cents per passenger for cruise ships entering the district and will fund the Port Authority’s marine operations and expenses. The current rate is $7.80 and will increase to $8.24. This fee will be collected by the West Indian Company when ships berth at West Indian Company Dock (WICO) in Havensight and by the Port Authority when ships berth at the Austin ‘Babe’ Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay and on St. John.,” the website shared.
Cruise passengers also pay a $1 marine terminal tax for every cruise to St. Thomas.
The increases came after Disney and Norwegian asked for Charlotte Amalie Harbor to be dredged by 40 feet. That will happen under the direction of VIPA, supported by the increased fees and paid partially by the US Virgin Islands government.
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