Royal Caribbean's Waterpark Project Rejected by Mexico
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 20 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Project Rejection: Royal Caribbean's plan to build a 222-acre waterpark in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, was rejected due to potential ecological damage to the nearby Mesoamerican Reef, leading to strong opposition from environmental groups and local residents.
- Ecological Priority: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of ecological balance in the area, stating, "We must not do anything that affects that area," highlighting the government's commitment to environmental protection.
- Company Response: Royal Caribbean expressed disappointment at the Environmental Ministry's decision but respects it, reiterating the special nature of Mahahual and the need for its protection while remaining optimistic about responsible investment in Mexico.
- Future Plans: Despite the rejection of the waterpark project, Royal Caribbean stated it would not abandon plans for a private destination on the Mexican coast and will re-engage stakeholders in the coming weeks to create local jobs and support community programs.
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Analyst Views on RCL
Wall Street analysts forecast RCL stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 281.290
Low
275.00
Averages
327.80
High
400.00
Current: 281.290
Low
275.00
Averages
327.80
High
400.00
About RCL
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a cruise company, which owns and operates three global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises. It also has an interest in TUI Cruises GmbH, which operates the German brands TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Its ships offer a selection of worldwide itineraries that call on approximately 1,000 destinations on all seven continents. Royal Caribbean offers cruises and land destinations that generally feature a casual ambiance, as well as a variety of activities and entertainment venues. Celebrity Cruises offers a range of itineraries to destinations, including Alaska, Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, New Zealand, the Panama Canal and South America, with cruise lengths ranging from three to 14 nights. It also offers a range of private land destinations through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Policy Implications: President Claudia Sheinbaum's statement underscores the government's balancing act between tourism development and environmental protection, which may influence the approval processes for similar projects in the future.
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- Public Backlash: The project faced significant public opposition primarily due to concerns about its environmental impact, highlighting the local community's focus on sustainable development and ecological preservation.
- Policy Implications: President Claudia Sheinbaum's statement underscores the government's balancing act between tourism development and environmental protection, which may influence the approval processes for similar projects in the future.
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- First-Timer Growth: UBS analysts highlight a high rate of 'first-timers' in cruising, indicating substantial under-penetration compared to the broader travel market, especially when contrasted with Las Vegas's historically low first-timer rates.
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