The Royal Caribbean Group and the Mexican Government are evaluating moving the Perfect Day Mexico project to a new location.

Originally planned for the Costa Maya Cruise Port in Mahahual, the development was essentially rejected by Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, authorities cited environmental concerns about damage to the Mesoamerican Reef and coastal ecosystems.

According to a report by El Universal, the government is now in talks with Royal Caribbean to choose a different location for the project.

“Discussions are underway with the company to see if there is a location where the project could be developed without these environmental impacts, and it will be previously analyzed whether it truly has environmental viability or not,” Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo was quoted as saying.

“In this area (Mahahual), Semarnat and the governor herself are evaluating giving it an additional category of protection; for example, that only ecotourism can be developed there, under certain conditions,” she added.

First announced in 2024, the Perfect Day Mexico project included the construction of a private destination for Royal Caribbean guests in Costa Maya.

Set to be about the size of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the development was highlighted by a large waterpark with over 30 waterslides and what was said to be the world’s longest lazy river.

The project also included plans for an expansive retail and dining area with 24 bars and 12 regionally inspired dining options.

Scheduled for opening in late 2027, the development faced backlash from locals, with a Change.org petition demanding the project be halted, which reached nearly five million signatures.

While the Perfect Day Mexico project is not going ahead, Costa Maya continues to welcome cruise ships as scheduled.

The port is a major destination for vessels sailing to the Western Caribbean from homeports in Florida, Texas and the Gulf Coast.