From July 2025, Greece will implement a cruise passenger tax at ports including Santorini and Mykonos. Business travellers and cruise operators should prepare for seasonal fees supporting sustainable tourism.
MSC Cruises has issued a formal advisory to passengers travelling to Greece, confirming that a new cruise passenger tax will take effect from 21 July 2025. The levy, introduced by the Greek government as part of its Sustainable Tourism programme, will apply to all cruise guests transiting through Greek ports—regardless of age or whether the port is a stopover or final disembarkation point.
The fee structure is tiered by season and destination, with the highest charges imposed during peak summer months (July to September) at Greece’s most visited islands:
- Santorini and Mykonos: €20/£17.22 per person
- Other ports: €5/£4.30 per person
Rates decrease during shoulder season (April, May, and October), with charges of €12/£10.28 for Santorini and Mykonos, and €3/£2.57 elsewhere. In winter, the fee drops to €4/£3.43 and €1/£0.86 respectively.
MSC Cruises confirmed that the tax will be automatically added to passengers’ onboard accounts, with the cruise line remitting the funds directly to port authorities. Guests who choose to remain onboard during port calls will have the fee removed from their account within 24 hours.
The Greek government has stated that revenue from the tax will be reinvested into local infrastructure and tourism development, aiming to balance visitor numbers with long-term sustainability goals.
Greece is not alone in introducing such measures. Mexico has also announced a new cruise passenger fee of $5/£3.67 per person, which is expected to rise to $21/£15.42 over the next three years. The move follows criticism from Mexican officials who argue that cruise lines have not contributed sufficiently to local economies. The fee will be charged in addition to existing port charges and will also be collected via passengers’ onboard accounts.
While cruise operators such as Royal Caribbean have pushed back against the new levies, citing passenger spending at destinations, authorities maintain that the additional revenue is essential for maintaining tourism infrastructure and ensuring equitable contributions from all travel sectors.
For business travellers and cruise operators alike, these developments signal a growing trend towards destination accountability and sustainable tourism funding—factors that may influence itinerary planning and cost forecasting in the months ahead.