Environmental groups denounce that Royal Caribbean continues works in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, despite Profepa's closure order on February 2 for lacking environmental impact authorization. Videos from February 4 show machinery operating in the closed area, contradicting the company's promises. Additionally, a court has suspended land use changes for the Perfect Day project.
Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day project in Mahahual faces multiple legal and environmental hurdles. On Friday, February 2, the Federal Prosecutor's Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) imposed a total temporary closure on the works for lacking environmental impact authorization. Prohibited activities include filling and compacting a road in coastal lowland jungle vegetation with mangroves, as well as demolition and rubble collection.
The association Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS) reported that works continue, with videos from February 4 showing machinery removing jungle in the closed area. “The works continue despite the closure, which we will report to Profepa,” DMAS stated to El Financiero. The company had assured no works would proceed after the suspension but did not immediately respond to accusations of non-compliance.
Additionally, the Sixth District Court in Quintana Roo granted a definitive suspension halting the effects of changes to the Municipal Urban Development Plan, authorized to enable the megaproyect. These changes, per DMAS, are illegal and alter a plan that previously limited development due to cruise dependency.
Royal Caribbean expressed support for a public consultation if required by Semarnat during the Environmental Impact Manifestation evaluation. “We are the first interested in having that public consultation,” said Ari Adler Brotman, the cruise line's president in Mexico. The company argues Profepa's closure does not directly affect Perfect Day but targets demolition of an old water park, estimating a delay in opening until early 2028.
Mahahual, Mexico's second-largest cruise destination with 2.4 million visitors last year, lacks infrastructure to triple its influx with this project, raising environmental and social concerns.
