MSC Cruises Alerts Passengers About New Greek Tourist Tax
MSC Cruises has issued a notice to guests planning to travel to Greece this year, highlighting the introduction of a new tourist tax. This move is part of Greece’s broader initiative to promote sustainable tourism. Starting from July 21, 2025, all passengers visiting Greek ports will be required to pay a cruise passenger fee.
The fee is similar to those already in place for hotels and other accommodation types. It aims to support local infrastructure, encourage sustainable tourism, and improve the overall visitor experience. Importantly, this mandatory charge applies to all guests, regardless of age, who transit through a Greek port—whether it’s a port of call or the final disembarkation point.
The new fee will be added to passengers’ onboard accounts, as MSC will pay it directly to the relevant port authorities. However, if a guest chooses to remain onboard and not go ashore, the expense will automatically be removed from their account within 24 hours.
Fee Variations Across Different Ports
The cost of the tourist tax varies depending on the destination and the time of year. The highest fees will apply to visits to Mykonos and Santorini, two of Greece’s most popular island destinations. During peak summer season, which runs from July to September, passengers will be charged €20 (£17.22) per person for visiting these islands.
In less popular ports, the fee during peak season will be €5 (£4.30) per person. The charges are lower during the shoulder season, which includes April, May, and October. For Santorini and Mykonos, the fee during this period will be €12 (£10.28), while other ports will charge €3 (£2.57) per person.
The lowest rates will be seen during the winter months. At that time, passengers visiting Mykonos and Santorini will pay €4 (£3.43), and those visiting other ports will be charged just €1 (£0.86).
Use of Funds and Broader Implications
The funds collected from the new tourist tax will be directed towards infrastructure and tourism projects across Greece. This initiative is part of a growing trend where cruise passengers are being asked to contribute to the local economies of the destinations they visit.
Greece is not alone in this approach. In Mexico, which is a common stop on many Caribbean cruises, a new fee has been introduced for cruise tourists. Initially set at $5 (£3.67) per passenger, this fee is expected to increase significantly over the next three years, reaching $21 (£15.42) per passenger.
This tax was introduced following criticism from Mexican officials, who have accused cruise lines of not contributing enough to the communities they visit. Major cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean have reportedly opposed the tax, arguing that passengers already spend money in each destination.
The new fee will be in addition to the existing port fees that cruise lines already pay in Mexico. Officials argue that since many airlines include a tourist tax in the price of a plane ticket to Mexico, cruise passengers should also be required to pay a similar fee.
