Cruising Greece Just Got Pricier: New Fee Targets Overtourism

Starting July, Greece will charge cruise passengers a “sustainable tourism fee” to manage overtourism and fund improvements.

Higher Summer Fees for Popular Ports

From June to September, passengers pay €20 to disembark in Mykonos or Santorini. All other island ports charge €5. This seasonal fee applies to each passenger, per port, where they disembark. The government designed it to reduce tourist overload during the busy summer months.

Between October and May, fees drop to €12 for Mykonos and Santorini, and €3 for other island ports. The fee decreases further from November to March – €4 for top islands, just €1 elsewhere. This system encourages visits outside peak season, easing pressure on local infrastructure.

Cruise Companies Handle Payment

Cruise lines or their agents must pay the fee via a digital platform. Payments are made quarterly, based on passenger disembarkation data collected by each ship. Failure to pay can result in authorities denying ships access to island ports.

Why Greece Introduced the New Fee

Mykonos alone welcomed 1.29 million cruise tourists in 2023, causing concern about overtourism. The fee aims to support island communities, upgrade infrastructure, and protect fragile ecosystems. This aligns Greece with other nations like Italy, the UK, and the US that charge entry fees.

Cruise lines like MSC will add the fee to passenger accounts the night before island visits. If a guest stays onboard, the charge will be refunded within 24 hours. Expect this fee to become standard across all Greek island cruise itineraries going forward.