Cruise tourism in Greece reached an unprecedented milestone in 2024, with ~8 million passengers visiting 49 destinations across the country. While official figures are yet to be released, industry sources speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) have indicated that cruise arrivals have surpassed pre-COVID levels, marking a historic achievement for the sector.
According to data from the Hellenic Ports Association, cruise passenger numbers have experienced significant growth in recent years. In 2022, Greek ports received 4.6 million cruise passengers, a figure that increased to 7 million in 2023 before reaching 8 million in 2024. Santorini remains the country’s most visited cruise destination, despite the seismic activity that affected the island earlier in the year. As a precautionary measure, government authorities temporarily restricted cruise ship access to Santorini at the peak of the geological disturbances in January and February.
To ensure passenger safety while maintaining cruise operations, the ministries of Maritime Affairs, Tourism, and Civil Protection have proposed a new joint ministerial decision. This regulation would allow cruise ships to access Santorini at times separate from domestic passenger ferries, ensuring safe maritime traffic management. According to the Santorini port authority, 5 cruise ships carrying a total of 6,000 passengers are scheduled to arrive in March, with an additional 35 calls expected in April. The first cruise ship of the season is set to call at the island on March 23rd, bringing 1,200 visitors.
As part of broader efforts to manage the impact of cruise tourism, a new per-passenger tax will be introduced during the summer peak season. Visitors arriving in Santorini and Mykonos aboard cruise ships will be subject to an EUR20 (~US$22) fee, while a reduced rate of EUR5 per person will apply to other Greek ports. This initiative aims to mitigate the effects of overtourism while supporting local infrastructure and sustainability efforts.