Travelers who want to cruise responsibly should not avoid destinations with restrictions or fees.
More and more popular tourist destinations in Europe are introducing cruise ship restrictions and passenger fees as they face increasing pressure from overtourism. Some are reducing the number of liners allowed to dock each day, while others have imposed tolls on passengers.
For travelers who want to take a cruise but are trying to avoid the negative impact of oversized boats, tour operator Riviera Travel has shared how to responsibly visit destinations on the water.
European destinations impose taxes on cruise ships
Norway recently announced plans to implement a tourist tax for cruise passengers. Starting next summer, municipalities will be able to apply a three-percent tax on overnight stays and cruise ship arrivals. Starting next year, the French Riviera resort of Cannes is also imposing what the city council calls “drastic regulations” on cruise ships, halving the number of very large ships allowed in its port and limiting the daily number of passengers to 6,000.
The nearby Mediterranean city of Nice earlier this year announced restrictions on cruise ships, which came into effect on July 1. The Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini also introduced a fee on July 1, with cruise ship passengers now required to pay €20 during peak season. Venice also banned large ships in 2021, followed by Barcelona in 2023. Amsterdam is phasing out cruise ships from its port, aiming for a complete ban by 2035.
How to travel responsibly across Europe on a cruise
Will Sarson, product director at major cruise and tour operator Riviera Travel, says those who want to travel responsibly don’t have to avoid destinations with restrictions or fees. “Although cruise ship policies impose restrictions on larger ships, such as ocean cruises, there are alternative ways to visit these locations on the water,” he says. The answer is to choose smaller, less harmful types of boats.
Venice has banned large cruise ships of more than 25,000 gross tons from entering its historic Giudecca Canal, with ships now diverted to alternative ports such as Marghera. “Luckily, there are alternative ways to visit Venice by water,” Sarson says. “Sail in style in a smaller boat, such as a yacht. A yacht cruise is the perfect way to explore Venice while sailing to the historic city aboard a luxury ship.”
With this type of boat, you can get close to iconic places like the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Bridge of Sighs – now off-limits to larger ships.
Sail around the Balearic Islands on a clipper cruise
The Balearic Islands are also among the destinations that have implemented restrictions for large cruise ships. Palma de Mallorca has limited cruise ship arrivals to three per day, with only one allowed to carry more than 5,000 passengers. “While this restriction can be a problem for larger ships carrying thousands of passengers, there are alternatives,” Sarson says.
“A cruise with the Clipper [a fully equipped tall ship] to the Balearic Islands promises an unforgettable journey, sailing on a charming ship that takes you back to the golden age of sailing for an authentic experience.”
On this type of boat, you have no mooring restrictions, and you can hop off to visit Palma’s Gothic cathedral, stroll through the old town, and take in the views from the seafront.
Take a boat trip to Dalmatia and Dubrovnik
To combat overtourism, Dubrovnik limits cruise arrivals to two ships daily, with a combined maximum of 8,000 passengers. However, this should not be an impediment to visiting this Croatian city, according to Sarson. Instead, opt for a yacht trip such as Dubrovnik & Splendours of Dalmatia at Riviera Travel. This way, you can travel along Croatia’s sun-drenched Adriatic coast before heading to Dubrovnik and visiting its old town.
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