Key Aspects:
- Amendments to Mexico’s wildlife laws now prohibit some signature interactions with captive dolphins, with Royal Caribbean now informing booked guests.
- Less intrusive activities with dolphins will still be available and tours are still being offered.
- These changes are not unlike other laws to protect sloths and monkeys in Honduras or other wildlife, such as sea turtles, in many cruise destinations.
Dolphin encounters, swims, and interactions can be amazing experiences for cruise travelers, creating lifelong memories and inspiring a love of these special marine mammals.
With a new law now in effect in Mexico, however, the exact interactions guests are permitted on these tours have to be scaled back. This is to safeguard guests as well as the wildlife, but it can be disappointing for travelers who have looked forward to the experience.
Royal Caribbean has reached out to guests booked on impacted tours to alert them to the changes, so it is no surprise that the activity has been altered.
“Recently, the tour operator for your ‘Dolphin Swim & VIP Experience All-Inclusive’ tour in Cozumel, Mexico informed us that adjustments have been made the the excursion,” the notification read.
“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.”
The activities that have been removed from dolphin visits include:
- Grabbing or holding on to the dolphin’s dorsal or pectoral fins
- Belly rides astride the dolphin while holding its fins
- Boogie board interactions where the dolphin pushes the board
- Foot pushes with the dolphin propelling a guest
- Dorsal tows of any length or duration
This may not be a comprehensive list of the types of interactions now prohibited, and different tour operators may call these types of interactions by different names.
Royal Caribbean is giving guests the opportunity to change their excursion choices if they no longer wish to participate in the impacted tours. There is no indication whether or not cancellation fees might be waived for imminent tours.
According to the cruise line’s excursion FAQ, cancellation fees may apply depending on when guests opt to cancel.
“Excursions can be modified or cancelled up to 48 hours prior to port arrival without penalty,” the website reads.
Guests can cancel tours from the Royal Caribbean website or onboard by visiting the Shore Excursions desk or the Guest Relations desk.
While the notification email only mentioned tours in Cozumel, the fact that this is a national law and similar tours at other ports of call, such as Costa Maya, are sure to be likewise impacted.
Similarly, other cruise lines may also notify their guests of these widespread tour changes, as the new law is nationwide and not just focused on Royal Caribbean.
What Can Dolphin Tours Still Include?
It will naturally be disappointing for guests to learn that these signature activities with dolphins are no longer possible, but what types of interactions can still happen?
There are many different activities that can be part of dolphin encounters without violating the new amendments to Mexico’s General Wildlife Law, also called “Mincho’s Law.” The law’s adjustments were approved in late June 2025.
While “exploitative” shows and potentially harmful interactions are no longer permitted, simpler activities are still available. This could include receiving “kisses” from the mammals, taking selfies, offering belly rubs, petting the dolphins, and feeding them.
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Exactly what types of interactions are available will likely vary by tour operator and are always subject to change. The top priority, of course, will always be the animal’s welfare.
This change to dolphin interactions is not unlike laws enacted in Honduras in March 2025, limiting what guests can (and mostly can’t) do with sloths and monkeys, both of which have been popular wildlife attractions.
Similar laws are in place in many areas to protect delicate and endangered species. For example, it is generally illegal to touch sea turtles while snorkeling, though some tours offer limited options depending on the location and type of interaction.
Tours are often adjusted based on changes in local laws, guest preferences, and other factors. While dolphin tours will now be different in Mexico, they can still be a magical and amazing experience for cruise guests.
