The cruise industry is experiencing remarkable growth, outpacing the overall tourism sector. According to data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), approximately 31.7 million passengers are expected to embark on cruises in 2023, marking a 7% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, United Nations tourism data indicates that international tourist arrivals in 2024 are still 1% below the figures recorded in 2019. Notably, in 2023, around 2.3 million vacationers from the UK and Ireland set sail on cruises, surpassing previous records for annual cruise passengers, as reported by CLIA.
However, similar to trends observed in land-based tourism, some communities in popular cruising destinations are voicing concerns about the impact of high-volume arrivals. Last year, climate activists took to the streets to prevent cruise ships from docking in Amsterdam, highlighting growing tensions between tourism and local communities. In response to these pressures, various European ports are implementing restrictions and fees aimed at managing cruise traffic. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what you need to know before embarking on your next cruise adventure.
Restrictions in Arctic Norway
Svalbard, a stunning Arctic archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole, has become a favored cruise destination thanks to its breathtaking glaciers, unique ice caves, and diverse polar wildlife. However, to safeguard this fragile ecosystem, Norway has introduced strict measures to limit visitor numbers. In 2022, a ban on heavy fuel oil was enacted, and starting January 1, 2023, ships carrying more than 200 passengers are prohibited from entering Svalbard’s protected waters, although docking at Longyearbyen remains permissible.
Landings are confined to 43 designated sites, with strict limits on the size of groups allowed ashore at any given time. Additionally, regulations for wildlife viewing have been enhanced; visitors and Zodiac boats must maintain a distance of 980-1640 feet (300-500 meters) from polar bears and 490 feet (150 meters) from walruses. While larger vessels may find it challenging to visit the archipelago due to these restrictions, smaller ships like Swan Hellenic’s SH Vega and SH Diana, which accommodate 152 and 192 passengers respectively, comply with the new regulations. Their week-long Exploring Svalbard Cruise starts at £7,250 per person, inclusive of flights from Copenhagen.
Greek Island Fees
The picturesque Greek islands are celebrated not only for their natural beauty but also for the overwhelming crowds they attract. In January, the Greek government introduced new fees for cruise passengers arriving at popular ports such as Santorini and Mykonos, aimed at improving local infrastructure. During the peak travel season from June to September, visitors to the Cycladic islands will incur a fee of €20 per person (£16.85), while the charges will be lower during off-peak periods. Ports in other destinations, including Crete and Rhodes, will charge €5 (£4.20).
To reduce additional expenses, travelers are encouraged to plan their visits during less busy times. In Santorini and Mykonos, the fee will drop to €12 (£10.10) during the shoulder months of April, May, and October, and further decrease to €4 (£3.35) from November to March. For other ports, the fees will be €3 (£2.50) and €1 (85p) during quieter periods. Authorities in Santorini, which has seen as many as 17,000 cruise passengers on a single day, plan to cap daily cruise arrivals to 8,000. For those interested, Viking offers a Greek Odyssey cruise that departs from Piraeus, near Athens, on November 13, starting from £4,940 per person, aboard the Viking Star, which accommodates 930 passengers.
Venice Port Changes and Day Trip Fees
Since 2021, the enchanting city of Venice, Italy, has implemented restrictions on cruise ship arrivals, prohibiting large vessels from entering the historic center via the Giudecca Canal. Instead, these ships are rerouted to the nearby industrial port of Marghera, where passengers typically transfer to smaller boats or coaches to reach the city center. Consequently, Norwegian Cruise Line has removed Venice from its cruise schedules this year. Additionally, day trip cruise passengers could be subject to a €5 (£4.20) Venice Access Fee on 29 peak days between April and mid-July.
To avoid this fee, travelers are advised to schedule their visits during the shoulder season when crowds are generally smaller. River cruise line CroisiEurope offers intimate voyages aboard the MS Michelangelo, which accommodates 154 passengers, exploring Venice’s lagoon and its charming islands, such as Burano, Murano, and Mazzorbo, with prices starting at £523 per person for a five-day journey.
Restrictions in Spanish Ports
In January, authorities in Ibiza introduced new regulations that permit a maximum of two cruise ships to dock at the island’s port simultaneously. Similarly, the Port of Barcelona, which can accommodate up to 1 million passengers annually across its five terminals, is gradually phasing out cruise ship arrivals at its most central docks. The North Terminal ceased operations for cruise ships in 2023, and the South Terminal is slated to follow suit by the end of 2026, with vessels redirected to the Adossat wharf. Furthermore, Valencia’s mayor plans to ban large cruise ships from entering its port by the end of 2026.
For those seeking a no-fly option, Fred Olsen offers a two-week cruise from Newcastle that visits northern Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and southern Spain’s Cadiz and Malaga, where the cruise terminals are conveniently located near the city center, starting at £2,299 per person aboard the Borealis, which accommodates 1,353 passengers.
Iceland Fees
Iceland has become an increasingly popular cruise destination, but concerns over the impact of tourism have prompted officials to implement a new fee structure. As of January 1, a daily tax of 2,500 Icelandic krona (approximately £14.35) is now applicable to each passenger. This fee particularly affects ships that circumnavigate the island, often making multiple stops, including a night or two in Reykjavik. Due to this new charge, several cruise companies have canceled port calls in Grundarfjörður, Vestmannaeyjar, Akureyri, and Faxaflói, leading to some ships being rerouted, which has raised concerns within the industry, as noted by CLIA. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is offering a two-week cruise departing from New York in April that includes stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Reykjavik, Belfast, Dublin, Plymouth, Le Havre, and Southampton, starting from £894 per person.
Amsterdam Port Move
Every year, Amsterdam welcomes approximately 190 cruise ships, according to port statistics, but significant changes are on the horizon. Starting in 2026, the Dutch capital will limit the number of vessels allowed to dock at its city center terminal in the eastern docklands to a maximum of 100 ships. By the following year, all ships will be required to utilize electric shore power. Looking further ahead, by 2035, all cruise vessels will be mandated to berth outside the city at Coenhaven.
Europe’s New Entry Requirements
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has been in the works since it was first proposed in 2016, but it has yet to be implemented. However, it is anticipated that the European Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS will have a soft launch later this year, with EES expected to roll out in October 2025 and ETIAS following in the last quarter of 2026. Once this post-Brexit initiative is operational, travelers from over 60 visa-exempt countries, including the UK, will be required to obtain an ETIAS visa, costing €7, to visit Schengen Area countries. Without this authorization, entry could be denied, even for those traveling on cruise ships. Additionally, EES will mandate that non-European travelers submit personal data and entry and exit dates upon crossing Schengen borders.
