Travellers heading on a trip to a Greek island this summer may find themselves hit with an unexpected expense.
Greece‘s new ‘sustainable tourism fee’ has now been introduced to cruise passengers from July 21.
Between June 1 and September 30, tourists disembarking a ship at Mykonos and Santorini will have to pay €20 each, equivalent to £17.35.
The fee decreases in October and between April 1 and May 31, during the shoulder season, to €12 (£10.41).
Between November 1 to March 31, the charge lowers to €4.
Charges also apply to other ports on Greek islands and travellers will be charged €5 (£4.34) during the summer months.
While in the winter, cruise tourists will be hit with a €1 (87p) charge, and in shoulder season €3 (£2.60).
The new fee will be charged per passenger and will apply for each port they disembark at.
Greece’s new ‘sustainable tourism fee’ has now been introduced to cruise passengers from July 21
Between June 1 and September 30, tourists disembarking a ship at Mykonos and Santorini will have to pay €20 each, equivalent to £17.35
It will be down to the cruise company to declare and pay the charge on a quarterly basis.
Will Sarson, a cruise expert at Riviera Travel, urged people to check what costs are included in their cruise bookings.
He said: ‘Preparation and conducting checks are key to preventing unexpected charges.
‘Being charged for unprecedented costs can leave you short of spending money, restricting your ability to make the most of your trip.
‘Tourist tax and port fees are among the costs that could catch you out, so it’s crucial to be aware of these fees when going on a cruise.
‘While these fees may have been included in the cruise fare, thoroughly review the cruise line’s terms and conditions to be aware of what costs are included.
‘If you’re still uncertain, contact the cruise line for confirmation. Being aware of what fees have been paid will give you a clearer picture of your finances for the holiday.’
The new charges have been put in place to help tackle over crowding caused by tourism.
The fee decreases in October and between April 1 and May 31, during the shoulder season, to €12 (£10.41)
Mykonos is expecting to host 900 cruise ships this season with tourist arrivals expected to reach 1.5 million.
While footage from Santorini showed thousands of selfie-hunting holidaymakers have packed the narrow streets in a desperate bid to capture sunset views adored by influencers.
However, the tax hasn’t been welcomed by the port authorities in Mykonos. Speaking to Greek Reporter, Athanasios Kousathanas-Megas, the president of the Mykonos Port Fund, said that the tax was a ‘curse’ for the island’s economy.
He said: ‘I believe that the price difference will create problems in choosing a cruise ship from 2026.’
