New cruise passenger fee for guests visiting Greek ports
Starting 21 July 2025, the Greek Government has introduced a new cruise passenger fee for all guests visiting Greek ports, as part of their Sustainable Tourism Programme. This fee, similar to 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.
Below is a summary of the fees, by Season, per person and per port:
| Travel Period | Mykonos & Santorini | All Other Greek Ports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun – 30 Sep | €20 p.p. | €5 p.p. |
| 1 Oct – 31 Oct | €12 p.p. | €3 p.p. |
| 1 Apr – 31 May | €12 p.p. | €3 p.p. |
| 1 Nov – 31 Mar | €4 p.p. | €1 p.p. |
For your convenience, MSC Cruises will pay this fee directly to the Greek authorities on your behalf. We will simply add the fee to your shipboard account the night before each visit to a Greek port. If you choose to stay on board and do not go ashore, the expense will be automatically removed from your account within 24 hours.
Please note that these fees are set and mandated by the Greek authorities and apply to all cruise lines operating in Greece. MSC Cruises does not determine or control these charges.
FAQs
I no longer want to travel on the cruise I have booked because of these fees; will I be able to change my booking free of charge?
Any changes you make to your booking will be subject to our terms and conditions.
Is this fee refundable if a Greek port of call is skipped or canceled?
The fee is only applicable if you disembark the ship. If you do not leave the ship, you will not be charged.
Can I pay the fee in advance before I travel or when I first get on the ship?
Do I need to pay the fee if I have booked an excursion?
Will this fee be itemized on our final onboard bill?
Does MSC Cruises keep any of the money? Will the Greek government pay MSC Cruises for collecting the fee for them?
The fees will be collected and will be transferred to the Government as per normal procedures. MSC Cruises does not receive any financial benefits, and the cost of collection is the responsibility of the cruise line.
Will the money be used to directly improve the cruise port infrastructure?
What if I am taken to hospital from the cruise ship, do I need to pay for every day I am in hospital?
What if I go ashore and don’t make it back to the ship in time, will I be charged for every night that I am stuck in a Greek port?
If I have to fly home in an emergency from a Greek port, do I have to pay the fee to go ashore?
What if the ship arrives late, is the fee the same? Will MSC Cruises offer to pay some of the fee?
What if the ship breaks down while in Greek port overnight? Do we have to pay to go ashore again the next day?
Will officials on the island ask for evidence that I have paid? Do I have to carry a ticket or receipt to show them?
Your cruise card will be evidence that you have paid the fee.
How will MSC Cruises determine whether we went ashore?
When you disembark the ship and your cruise card is scanned by our team, that will act as the record that you have left the ship, and the fee is due. This will be recorded against your on-board account and the relevant amount will be added.
