New Laws Add Restrictions To Popular Cruise Wildlife Encounters

Cruise guests hoping to enjoy up-close, thrilling interactions with dolphins in Cozumel and other Mexican ports are now facing major changes due to a new national wildlife law.

Royal Caribbean has begun notifying passengers of mandatory restrictions on its dolphin-focused tours, following the implementation of updated standards aimed at protecting marine mammals and ensuring guest safety.

The adjustments come under Mexico’s revised General Wildlife Law, also known as “Mincho’s Law,” which was formally adopted in late June 2025.

The new legislation prohibits a variety of physical, high-impact activities with dolphins that were previously popular on many tours.

“Effective immediately, the General Wildlife Law has been implemented and enforces new operations standards for dolphin habitats across Mexico. As a result of this change, several high-impact interactions in our tours offered are now mandatorily removed,”

Message sent by Royal Caribbean to impacted guests on 25th July 2025.

Banned Dolphin Interactions

The law specifically prohibits several common activities that have long been part of swim-with-dolphin excursions:

Grabbing or holding the dolphin’s dorsal or pectoral fins
Belly rides while holding the dolphin’s fins
Boogie board rides, where dolphins push the board
Foot pushes, where dolphins propel guests through the water
Dorsal tows, regardless of distance or duration

These experiences, often marketed as the most thrilling parts of dolphin excursions, have now been entirely removed in accordance with the law.

Guests Offered Excursion Alternatives

Royal Caribbean is offering affected passengers the chance to modify or cancel their excursions if they no longer wish to participate in the revised version.

According to the line’s excursion policy, tours may be cancelled without penalty up to 48 hours before the ship arrives in port.

Excursions can be cancelled or changed via the Royal Caribbean website, onboard at the Shore Excursions desk, or at Guest Relations.

Although the notice specifically referenced Cozumel, the law is nationwide.

Guests visiting other Mexican ports like Costa Maya or Puerto Vallarta should expect similar restrictions, and other cruise lines are likely to follow suit as compliance becomes standard across the industry.

What Dolphin Tours Can Still Include

Despite the changes, dolphin encounters remain available, albeit with a gentler approach. Permitted activities under the new law include:

Petting or rubbing the dolphin’s belly
Receiving a “kiss” on the cheek or hand
Feeding sessions
Taking photos or selfies near or with the animal

These lower-impact interactions focus on education, respect for the animals, and fostering appreciation for marine conservation.

Broader Wildlife Protection Trend

This move aligns with a wider trend in wildlife tourism regulation.

In March 2025, Honduras enacted similar laws restricting contact with sloths and monkeys due to animal welfare concerns.

Other destinations, such as parts of the Caribbean and Pacific, have also introduced legislation prohibiting tourist contact with endangered or sensitive species, including sea turtles.

While these rules may disappoint some travellers expecting more immersive experiences, they reflect an evolving balance between tourism and ethical wildlife care.

Excursions are often subject to local regulations, and cruise lines must adapt accordingly.

As dolphin tours in Mexico evolve, guests can still enjoy meaningful, respectful encounters that create lasting memories – just without the flips, tows, or rides that once defined them.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.