Greece is set to introduce a €20 fee for cruise ship passengers visiting its most popular islands, including Santorini and Mykonos.

This move aims to manage the large number of tourists and protect the local environments of these beautiful places. The fee will vary depending on the island and the season, with higher charges for Santorini and Mykonos and lower fees for other islands like Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete’s port of Heraklion.
During busy tourist seasons, the charges will be higher to help manage the increased number of visitors, while off-peak seasons will see lower fees to encourage tourism during quieter times.
To further control the number of tourists, the Greek government plans to limit the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at these popular islands, especially during busy seasons.
Starting in 2025, Santorini will cap the number of cruise passengers at 8,000 per day. A digital system will be used to manage the arrival of cruise ships, spreading out ship arrivals throughout the day to prevent overcrowding and ensure a more pleasant experience for visitors.
The cruise industry in Greece is expected to see a 20% increase in arrivals in 2024, bringing more than 8 million passengers to the country.
Local authorities, including Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos, support these measures to limit cruise visitors, although they know that cruise lines will need to adjust their schedules, which are often planned years in advance, to follow these new rules.
The idea of a day-tripper fee is not new. Earlier this year, Venice implemented a similar fee, charging day visitors €5 to access the island.
This trial generated more than €2.4 million in less than three months, leading to proposals to double the fee in 2025.
The expected benefits of Greece’s new fee structure may inspire other popular tourist destinations to implement similar measures, helping to manage tourist numbers and protect local environments, ensuring sustainable tourism for the future.
TODAY’S BEST CRUISE DEALS!
Don’t miss these offers…
Related posts
- These Cruise Ship Ports of Call Are Most Likely To Be Cancelled
- Greek Odyssey Cruising With Marella – Ancient Wonders & Stunning Scenery
- Celestyal Cruises to Greece: What To Expect

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Passenger Brawl With Thrown Chairs Results In Cruise Bans
What began as a laid-back afternoon on the lido deck quickly descended into chaos aboard Carnival Sunrise over the weekend, when a physical altercation broke out between multiple guests. The…
Cruise Line Testing 45-Minute Dinner Options
Carnival Cruise Line is piloting a new express dining experience aboard Carnival Vista, designed to offer guests a quicker mealtime option after a full day exploring ashore. The trial is…
Hero Crew Member Saves Guests From Falling Glass On Cruise
Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas experienced a tense moment on 8th June 2025 when a large window at the Coastal Kitchen restaurant unexpectedly shattered as the ship…
Crew Member’s Lucky Escape After Overboard Incident
A crew member aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa was successfully rescued after falling overboard in Souda-Chania, Crete, Greece, on 3rd June, 2025. The incident occurred in the afternoon while the…