Is Europe banning cruise ships? Not exactly.

Will some of Europe’s most popular cruise destinations be forced to shutter their doors to cruise holidays? Read on to find out! We will examine the truth behind the recent rumours.

It’s the question on every cruise holiday-maker’s mind: will Europe restrict access for cruise ships following the recent complaints about overcrowding? Are cruise ships and their ‘low-cost’ passengers responsible for ruining some of Europe’s best destinations?  In recent weeks, the once-powerful cruise ship industry has come under fire for unleashing a tidal wave of overcrowding, pollution, and so-called ‘low-cost clientele’ on the world’s most cherished ports.

EU shutting the door on cruise ships? Here’s the truth behind the headlines

Rumours are swirling that cruise holidays are sinking fast, with some claiming Europe is pulling the plug on these floating giants. But is there any truth to the doom and gloom? Not exactly. While cruise ships have hit choppy waters recently, the reality is far less dramatic than the scaremongers suggest.

Let’s clear the air: Cruise ships are NOT being outright banned, but they ARE facing increasing restrictions in some key ports.

Some of the world’s most famous cruise destinations are battening down the hatches against huge passenger vessels – and their supposedly ‘low-cost clientele.’ In a series of shock moves that have left holidaymakers and cruise lines reeling, local leaders from the French Riviera to Iceland are firing warning shots at these floating resorts, calling them ‘monsters of the seas’ and threatening to pull the plug on their port calls.

The European ports with restrictions:

Venice

Venice’s centuries-old canals have been anything but calm. Now, only ships under 25,000 tonnes can dock in La Serenissima. Larger vessels must use alternative ports outside the city.

Amsterdam

From 2026, the Dutch capital will limit cruise visits to 100 a year. By 2035, ships will be banned from the city centre entirely, when a new terminal opens elsewhere.

Barcelona

Already a major cruise hub, Barcelona has closed one terminal and caps the number of ships at seven at any one time.

Bordeaux

Riverside grumbles have led to reduced ship calls. Last summer, the city’s mayor demanded an outright ban, with proposals to move the cruise dock out of sight.

Balearics

Palma has a five-year deal allowing only three ships each day, with just one carrying more than 5,000 passengers. Over in Ibiza, daily docking has been cut to two.

Nice/Villefranche-sur-Mer

Mayor Estrosi’s ban on ships carrying more than 900 passengers takes effect from summer 2025.

Santorini

The Greek showstopper now charges cruise visitors €20 a head, with a daily cap of 8,000 passengers.

Mykonos

Following Santorini’s lead, Mykonos is introducing a €20 fee per cruiser. It also has plans to cap arrivals, but final numbers aren’t out yet.

Marseilles

France’s second city has no formal ban, but protests and petitions have raged against cruise vessels. Tensions remain high.

Dubrovnik

Famous for its historic old town, Dubrovnik allows only two ships a day, with a max of 8,000 passengers combined.

Zeebrugge

The Belgian port enforces a two-ship cap per day to keep Bruges from being overrun.

Valencia

From 2026, Spain’s third city will slam the door on mega-ships.

Iceland

The new daily passenger tax of around 16 euros is already in force, prompting some itinerary reshuffles.

Norway

A wave of regulations is on the horizon, restricting ship size and emissions, particularly around the fjords. Larger ships get a stay of execution until 2032, but smaller ones must go zero-emission by next year. A tourism tax is also in the works.

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