Hefty New Cruise Tax Imposed in Greece
by Marsha Mowers
The Greek government has imposed a hefty, new Sustainable Tourism Development Fee for all cruise tourists during peak season from now until September 30, with a lower fee charged during the off-peak season. The move is an attempt at managing overcrowding at the country’s busiest ports.
In an email, Celestyal Cruises says the government fees will be as follows:
| July 01 – September 30 | €20 per person for each visit to Santorini and Mykonos €5 per person for all other Greek ports. |
| October 01 – October 31 April 01 – May 31 | €12 per person for Santorini and Mykonos €3 per person for all other ports. |
| November 01 – March 31 | €4 per person for Santorini and Mykonos €1 per person for all other ports. |
The fees will be collected based on disembarked ports for all guests at checkout and added to each individual disembarking guest account each day.
In an email, John Diorio Vice President & Managing Director, North America for Celestyal Cruises said the company remains fully committed to supporting sustainable tourism in their home islands of Greece.
“We will continue working closely with our industry partners, CLIA and the Greek Government to advocate for practical solutions and infrastructure that benefit both local communities and international visitors,” said Diorio.
“We are committed to keeping our joint guests and trade partners fully informed and to ensure the enjoyment of our guests throughout their experience with Celestyal. Please note that these fees are set and mandated by the Greek authorities and apply to all cruise lines operating in Greece. Celestyal does not determine or control these charges.”
The Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) recorded 5,490 cruise ships, carrying 7.93 million passengers in Greece in 2024. Piraeus, the port just outside of Athens, saw the highest number of arrivals, with Santorini second and Mykonos rounding off the top three.
