The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is seeking to convince French officials to reconsider a newly imposed restriction on large ships in the Nice-Cote d'Azur/French Riviera region.
The ban, set to take effect on July 1st, 2025, will prohibit vessels carrying at least 900 passengers from disembarking at the ports of Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer, citing concerns over overtourism and environmental impact.
The restriction, signed into effect by Nice mayor Christian Estrosi in late January, is expected to significantly affect the cruise shipping in the region.
Industry sources indicate that ~2/3 of the ~90 scheduled calls at Villefranche-sur-Mer in 2025 involve ships exceeding the 900-passenger threshold.
The ban would effectively prevent most contemporary and premium cruise lines, including Celebrity, HAL-Holland America, NCL-Norwegian, Oceania, and RCI-Royal Caribbean International, from calling at these ports.
CLIA has expressed opposition to the measure, advocating instead for a broader tourism management strategy that balances economic benefits with sustainability. Samuel Maubanc, CLIA’s director general for Europe, has emphasized the importance of considering long-term tourism solutions rather than outright prohibitions.
Estrosi has framed the decision as a necessary step to address mass tourism's negative impacts, asserting that large cruise ships bring passengers who contribute little to the local economy while increasing waste and pollution. His administration has also proposed stricter regulations on short-term vacation rentals, further signaling a broader shift in local tourism policy.
The restriction is expected to have a notable financial impact on the region. According to maritime industry groups, the ban could lead to local economic losses exceeding US$10 million, with regional effects surpassing US$600 million. CLIA, along with 20 other maritime organizations, has urged further dialogue and an economic assessment before the ban is implemented. The industry has also highlighted investments made by European cruise lines in environmentally sustainable ships, which will now face operational limitations in these ports.
The move follows similar restrictions imposed in other high-profile cruise destinations, including Venice, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and the Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer serve as key ports on Mediterranean itineraries, with Nice functioning as both a turnaround port and a gateway to the French Riviera. The restriction will require adjustments from cruise operators, particularly those operating larger vessels. Oceania, which has 4 ships exceeding the 900-passenger limit, has acknowledged the need to explore alternative ports. Frank A. Del Rio, Oceania’s president, has noted that the Mediterranean offers a variety of alternative destinations along the French and Italian Rivieras.
Industry experts suggest that the restriction could increase demand for small-ship cruising. Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group, has pointed out that while the full impact remains uncertain, the regulation may encourage travelers to book further in advance and prioritize smaller vessels and alternative ports.
Some small-ship operators are already capitalizing on the change.
Ponant, which operates vessels below the passenger limit, introduced a new 7-day roundtrip itinerary from Nice just weeks after the decree was announced. Azamara, whose ships carry 700 guests, remains unaffected by the ban but continues to monitor trends in overtourism and adjusts itineraries accordingly to avoid peak congestion in ports.
As the July 1st implementation date approaches, discussions between the cruise industry and local authorities are expected to continue.
CLIA maintains that the situation remains fluid and is advocating for solutions that allow for cruise tourism while addressing sustainability concerns.