Greece to Consider Cap on Cruise Ship Visits

Greece, a favorite spot for travelers, is contemplating limiting the number of cruise ships visiting its shores. The surge in cruise passengers is causing overcrowding on the islands, traffic issues at the ports, and negatively impacting the quality of life for locals. 

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, the Greek Prime Minister mentioned the possibility of reducing the number of cruise ships docking at Greek ports.

Post-pandemic, in 2023, Greece saw 7 million cruise passengers arriving from 5,230 cruise ships, which represents a 51.26% increase in passengers and a 9.41% rise in cruise ships compared to 2022.

The ports of Santorini and Mykonos are the primary hubs for this influx of cruise passengers. In 2023, Greece experienced a 50% increase in cruise arrivals, predominantly at these two ports.

Specifically, the port of Santorini welcomed about 800 cruise ships with 1.3 million passengers in 2023, marking a 17% increase from the previous year.

Mykonos follows as the second most popular port for tourists. In 2023, approximately 749 cruise ships docked at Mykonos, reflecting a 23% increase in cruise ship visits over the year.

At present, there is no cap on daily cruise arrivals at Greece's top destinations. The Greek Prime Minister stated that a cap on cruise arrivals is expected to be implemented in 2025. 

This new regulation might limit the number of ships allowed to dock or introduce a bidding system for cruise ships to visit the popular Greek ports. However, there are concerns that restricting cruise arrivals might negatively impact Greece's tourism industry, which constitutes about 25% of the country's economy.