MSC Cruises has issued a warning to guests travelling to Greece on any of its cruise ships this year.
Passengers have been advised that Greece will soon be introducing a tourist tax as part of its sustainable tourism aims.
MSC told affected customers: ‘Starting July 21 2025, the Greek Government will introduce a new cruise passenger fee for all guests visiting Greek ports, as part of their Sustainable Tourism program.
‘This fee, similar those already in place for hotels and other types of accommodation, is designed to support local infrastructure, promote sustainable tourism and enhance visitors’ experience.
‘Please note that this mandatory fee applies to all guests, regardless of age, who transit through a Greek port – including ports of call as well as the port of disembarkation.’
The new fee will be added to passengers’ onboard accounts as the cruise line will pay it directly to the port authorities.
MSC added: ‘If you choose to stay onboard and not go ashore, the expense will be automatically removed from your account within 24 hours.’
Cruise holidaymakers will pay the highest fee to visit Mykonos and Santorini, two of Greece’s most popular island destinations.
MSC Cruises has issued a warning to guests travelling to Greece on any of its cruise ships this year
Cruise holidaymakers will pay the highest fee to visit Mykonos and Santorini, two of Greece’s most popular island destinations.
Visiting either of these islands in peak summer season – between July and September – will incur a fee of €20/£17.22 per person.
In other, less popular ports, cruise guests will be charged €5/£4.30 per person during peak season.
The tax is lower in shoulder season – April, May and October – where cruise passengers will be charged €12/£10.28 to visit Santorini and Mykonos and €3/£2.57 at all other ports.
It’s cheapest in winter when guests will need to pay just €4/£3.43 on the two most popular islands and €1/86p elsewhere.
Funds raised from the new tax will be spent on infrastructure and tourism projects in Greece.
And Greece isn’t the only destination where cruise passengers are getting stung with a new fee.
Mexico, a stop on many Caribbean itineraries, will now charge cruise tourists a $5/£3.67 fee per passenger.
That fee is set to soar to $21/£15.42 per passenger over the next three years and it has been introduced following criticism of cruise lines from Mexican officials.
The new fee will be added to passengers’ onboard accounts as the cruise line will pay it directly to the port authorities
They’ve accused the cruise lines of failing to contribute enough to local communities in the ports they visit.
Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines have reportedly fought against the introduction of the tax, arguing that passengers already spend money in each destination.
The tax will be paid in addition to the port fees that cruise lines already pay in Mexico.
Officials argue that many airlines already charge a tourist tax within the price of a plane ticket to Mexico and they want cruise passengers to pay to.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .