Cruise Fares Set to Increase with New Green Tourism Taxes
The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Passengers are facing higher cruise fares due to new green tourism taxes, as warned by the consumer watchdog Which?. These little-known levies aim to offset the environmental impact of cruising on popular ports, potentially surprising guests and increasing overall holiday costs.
Details of the New Sustainability Charges
Port fees and taxes are typically included in cruise fares, but extra sustainability charges during peak periods may be added separately. For instance, popular destinations such as Santorini and Barcelona have introduced additional fees to manage overtourism and environmental damage.
In Santorini and Mykonos, there is a €20 (£17) per person tax to disembark between 1 June and 30 September. This reduces to €12 (£10.50) in shoulder seasons (April, May, October, and November) and drops further to €4 (£3.50) from November to March. Other Greek ports impose charges of €5 (£4.30), €3 (£2.60), and €1 (87p) respectively.
Iceland has implemented a daily fee of ISK 2,500 (approximately £15) for every 24 hours a ship spends in its ports. In Barcelona, cruise passengers staying for more than 12 hours will pay a regional tax of €4 (£3), or €6 (£4.50) for under 12 hours, starting this month. Mexico is also introducing a $10 (£7.50) environmental tax in August.
How the Taxes Are Monitored and Applied
These fees are monitored via scannable cruise cards when passengers exit the ship, with the charge added to onboard accounts. Typically, the fee is refunded or not charged if passengers choose not to disembark. If a ship skips a port due to extreme weather or other reasons, the taxes will be refunded, either to payment cards or as onboard credit.
Expert Advice from Which? Travel
Jo Rhodes, a travel expert at Which?, commented: "Port fees and taxes will be included in the upfront price of your cruise, though some cruise lines quote these separately on the final booking page. These mandatory charges apply at every port of call, whether you leave the ship or not.
"However, extra sustainability fees – which help manage the impacts of overtourism – may be added to your onboard account during the voyage, depending on the destinations you visit. Mostly they only apply if you disembark, so make sure you’re not charged, or the fee is refunded, if you and your travel companions decide to stay on board."
This development highlights the growing trend of environmental levies in tourism, as destinations seek to balance economic benefits with sustainability concerns. Passengers are advised to check for these additional costs when planning their cruises to avoid unexpected expenses.
