New cruise passenger fee for guests visiting Greek ports
Starting 21 July 2025, the Greek Government will introduce 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:
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
1. Booking & Charges Related to the New Fee
- 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.
2. Payment Logistics & Billing
- Can I pay the fee in advance before I travel or when I first get on the ship?
The fee will be added to your onboard account, only when you go ashore, so this is not possible.
- Do I need to pay the fee if I have booked an excursion?
The fee will not be included in the cost of your excursion and will be charged separately to your on-board account.
- Will this fee be itemized on our final onboard bill?
Yes, details of fees incurred, where and when will be provided on your final onboard bill.
3. Fee Collection & Use
- 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?
These new fees are part of the Greek Government’s Sustainable Tourism programme and align with similar fees that apply to hotels and accommodation. The fees are designed to support local infrastructure, promote sustainable tourism development, and enhance the overall visitor experience in Greece. 3. Fee Collection & Use
4. Hypothetical Scenarios (Emergencies, Missed Boarding, etc.)
- What if I am taken to hospital from the cruise ship, do I need to pay for every day I am in hospital?
This will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
- 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?
No, it is a port fee and is not charged daily.
- If I have to fly home in an emergency from a Greek port, do I have to pay the fee to go ashore?
Yes, if you disembark the ship the fee will apply.
- What if the ship arrives late, is the fee the same? Will MSC Cruises offer to pay some of the fee?
The fee is a port fee and is not time dependent, so the full fee will be charged, no matter how long the stay.
- What if the ship breaks down while in Greek port overnight? Do we have to pay to go ashore again the next day?
No, it is a port fee and is not charged daily.
5 .Fee Enforcement & Documentation
- 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.
6. Fee Calculation & Exemptions
- Do I need to pay the fee when I disembark to go the airport/travel home?
Yes, fees will apply to all guests, including those disembarking at a Greek port to travel to the airport, as well as guests returning home.
- Do I need to pay the fee even if I don’t go ashore?
No, the fee is only incurred when you physically leave the ship.
- Do I need to pay the fee if I just go to the dock and don’t leave the port?
Yes, the fee is applied as soon as you leave the ship.
- Is the fee charged per visit to a port or just once per port regardless of multiple visits?
The fee is only applied once, so you can make multiple visits to the same port on the same day without incurring extra fees.
- I have an overnight stay in the port on board the ship, if I visit the port on both days, do I need to pay the fee twice?
The fee is charged per port, so it is applied only once, even if the ship stays overnight.
- Does the time I go ashore matter, if I go ashore later in the day is the fee reduced?
The fee is a port fee and is not time dependent, so the full fee will be charged, no matter how long the stay.
- Do I have to pay the tourist fee if I go onto stay in a hotel if I’ve already paid the cruise tax fee?
The fee applies when you first leave the leave the ship, your activity during the stay does not change the fee.
- Is there any age exemption (e.g. under 2 or under 12)?
No, the same fee applies to all guests irrespective of age.
- Are there exemptions or discounts for disabled guests?
No, the same fee applies to all guests.