MSC Cruises Announces New Cruise Tax for Greek Ports

MSC Cruises has informed guests about a new government-imposed cruise tax that will apply to all sailings visiting Greece starting July 21, 2025. The announcement was shared directly with passengers and outlines how the tax will be handled during their cruise experience.

The new fee will be mandatory for every guest, regardless of age. It applies to anyone who transits through a Greek port, including embarkation and disembarkation points. So even if Greece is just one stop on the itinerary, the charge will still apply.

MSC Cruises offers numerous routes that include Greek destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, and more. The cruise line explained that this new tax is part of a sustainable tourism initiative launched by the Greek government.

In the official message, MSC said, “This tax, similar to those already in place at hotels and other accommodations, is designed to support local infrastructure, promote sustainable tourism, and improve the visitor experience.”

To keep things simple for guests, MSC Cruises will prepay the tax on behalf of passengers and charge it to each traveler’s onboard account. The fee will be added automatically on the night before the ship calls at a Greek port.

If a guest chooses to stay onboard and not disembark while docked in Greece, the cruise line has stated that the amount will be refunded within 24 hours.

MSC clarified that it has no control over the tax. “This fee is established and enforced by the Greek authorities and applies to all cruise companies operating in the region,” the company added.

The amount of tax will vary based on the port and season. Here’s how it breaks down:

High Season (July 21 – September 30, 2025):

• Mykonos and Santorini: €20 per person
• All other Greek ports: €5 per person

Shoulder Season (October 2025, and April 1 – May 31, 2026):

• Mykonos and Santorini: €12 per person
• All other ports: €3 per person

Low Season (November 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026):

• Mykonos and Santorini: €4 per person
• Other destinations in Greece: €1 per person

The cruise line thanked travelers for their understanding and assured them that they are working to make the process as smooth as possible. The message was signed by Leonardo Massa, MSC’s Vice President for Southern Europe.

This new tax is part of a Greek law passed in 2024 and was confirmed by local authorities in late June 2025. It applies to all cruise lines operating in Greece, not just MSC.