Passengers embarking on a cruise in 2026 could discover issues are a bit of totally different in some cities with the likes of Amsterdam and Barcelona tightening up guidelines
Many ports equivalent to Barcelona are fighting cruise visitors (Picture: Getty)
A number of standard European locations have been fighting the results of overtourism, and the issue could be particularly pronounced in areas with main cruise ports.
A every day inflow of vacationers can result in overcrowding in areas round main ports, and enormous cruise ships also can contribute to issues equivalent to air pollution. Because of this, plenty of cities are taking a look at choices from capping passenger numbers to banning bigger ships and imposing vacationer taxes.
Under is a round-up of the favored cruise locations the place passengers can count on to see modifications in 2026.
Amsterdam will restrict the variety of cruise ships allowed in 2026 (Picture: Getty)
Amsterdam
Town of Amsterdam has already applied a €15 (About £13.07) per cruise passenger vacationer tax launched final 12 months, and in 2026, it plans to cap the variety of sea-cruises visiting to 100 a 12 months. By 2035, the town centre cruise terminal is about to be relocated to a much less central location, and the quantity of river cruises may also be halved with a goal of simply 1,150 a 12 months by 2028.
Cannes
On January 1, the glamorous French metropolis of Cannes applied a brand new rule that ships docking within the space might solely carry as much as 1,000 passengers. It is also limiting the variety of passengers who can disembark to six,000 a day. It’s not the primary French metropolis to impose such guidelines, Good has additionally restricted the variety of cruise ships to 65 yearly.
France can also be contemplating a €15 per particular person vacationer tax for all passengers arriving by boat, and this could be charged for every cease at a French port. The French senate supported the movement in late-2025, though there’s no phrase but on when it might be applied.
The sunny Spanish metropolis of Valencia additionally has plans to ban mega-cruise ships in 2026, and the mayor beforehand introduced that solely smaller ships could be allowed to dock. The plans had been a part of a wider challenge to cut back overcrowding within the metropolis.
Barcelona
Barcelona is lowering the variety of cruise terminals at Adossat Wharf, with two set to be demolished by the tip of the 12 months. This may scale back the town’s cruise passenger capability from 37,000 to 31,000 a day. Town is planning to construct a brand new terminal away from the town centre with shuttle buses in a bid to cut back overcrowding.
Norway
Norway’s restrictions on cruise ships give attention to the environmental impression fairly than passenger numbers, and in 2026, ships might want to meet strict emission requirements to enter its fjords. By 2032, the nation will ban all non-zero emission ships.
From summer season 2026, particular person municipalities in Norway may also be allowed to impose a 3% tax on cruise passengers and vacationers staying in a single day, so passengers visiting sure areas could also be charged an extra payment.
Cruise passengers in Santorini and Mykonos face further prices (Picture: Getty)
Greece
Stepping off the boat within the standard ports of Santorini and Mykonos will get costlier this summer season. In the course of the peak season of June 1 to September 30, a €20 payment per particular person is in place, which is about £17.50. At different Greek ports, the payment is a extra affordable €5 (round £4.30) throughout peak instances, with reductions in the course of the shoulder and off-season.
Journey information and skilled vacation recommendation plus chosen affords and competitions Subscribe Invalid electronic mail
We use your sign-up to supply content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may increasingly embrace adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You possibly can unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Have a narrative you wish to share? E mail us at webtravel@reachplc.com
Guarantee our newest tales all the time seem on the high of your Google Search by making us a Most well-liked Supply. Click on right here to activate or add us as your Most well-liked Supply in your Google search settings.
Leave a Reply