DESTINATIONS FEES AND LOCAL CHARGES

Certain destinations may apply mandatory local taxes, entry fees, infrastructure charges or passenger levies that are imposed by local or national authorities. On this page, you will find detailed information about destination-specific fees.

GREECE

Cruise passenger fee for guests visiting Greek ports

Starting 21 July 2025, the Greek Government has introduced a new cruise passenger fee for all guests visiting Greek ports, as part of their Sustainable Tourism Programme. This fee, similar to those already in place for hotels and other types of accommodation, is designed to support local infrastructure, promote sustainable tourism, and enhance visitors’ experience.

 

Please note that this mandatory fee applies to all guests, regardless of age, who transit through a Greek port – including ports of call as well as the port of disembarkation. 

 

Below is a summary of the fees, by Season, per person and per port:

 

Travel Period Mykonos & Santorini All Other Greek Ports
 1 Jan – 31 Mar  €4 p.p.  €1 p.p.
 1 Apr – 31 May  €12 p.p.  €3 p.p.
 1 Jun – 30 Sept  €20 p.p.  €5 p.p.
 1 Oct – 31 Oct  €12 p.p.  €3 p.p.
 1 Nov – 31 Dec  €4 p.p.  €1 p.p.

 

For your convenience, MSC Cruises will pay this fee directly to the Greek authorities on your behalf. We will simply add the fee to your onboard account the night after every visit to a Greek port. If you decide to stay on board and do not go ashore at a Greek port, the expense will not be added to your account.

 

Please note that these fees are set and mandated by the Greek authorities and apply to all cruise lines operating in Greece. MSC Cruises does not determine or control these charges.

 

I no longer want to travel on the cruise I have booked because of these fees; will I be able to change my booking free of charge?

Any changes you make to your booking will be subject to our terms and conditions.

Is this fee refundable if a Greek port of call is skipped or canceled?

The fee is only applicable if you disembark the ship. If you do not leave the ship, you will not be charged.

 

 

Payment Logistics & Billing

Can I pay the fee in advance before I travel or when I first get on the ship?

The fee will be added to your onboard account, only when you go ashore, so this is not possible.

Do I need to pay the fee if I have booked an excursion?

The fee will not be included in the cost of your excursion and will be charged separately to your on-board account.

Will this fee be itemized on our final onboard bill?

Yes, details of fees incurred, where and when will be provided on your final onboard bill.

 

 

Fee Collection & Use    

Does MSC Cruises keep any of the money? Will the Greek government pay MSC Cruises for collecting the fee for them?

The fees will be collected and will be transferred to the Government as per normal procedures. MSC Cruises does not receive any financial benefits, and the cost of collection is the responsibility of the cruise line.

Will the money be used to directly improve the cruise port infrastructure?

These new fees are part of the Greek Government’s Sustainable Tourism programme and align with similar fees that apply to hotels and accommodation. The fees are designed to support local infrastructure, promote sustainable tourism development, and enhance the overall visitor experience in Greece. 

 

 

Hypothetical Scenarios (Emergencies, Missed Boarding, etc.)

What if I am taken to hospital from the cruise ship, do I need to pay for every day I am in hospital?

This will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

What if I go ashore and don’t make it back to the ship in time, will I be charged for every night that I am stuck in a Greek port?

No, it is a port fee and is not charged daily.

If I have to fly home in an emergency from a Greek port, do I have to pay the fee to go ashore?

Yes, if you disembark the ship the fee will apply.

What if the ship arrives late, is the fee the same? Will MSC Cruises offer to pay some of the fee?

The fee is a port fee and is not time dependent, so the full fee will be charged, no matter how long the stay.

What if the ship breaks down while in Greek port overnight? Do we have to pay to go ashore again the next day?

No, it is a port fee and is not charged daily.

 

 

Fee Enforcement & Documentation

Will officials on the island ask for evidence that I have paid? Do I have to carry a ticket or receipt to show them?

Your cruise card will be evidence that you have paid the fee.

How will MSC Cruises determine whether we went ashore?

When you disembark the ship and your cruise card is scanned by our team, that will act as the record that you have left the ship, and the fee is due. This will be recorded against your on-board account and the relevant amount will be added. 

 

 

Fee Calculation & Exemptions

Do I need to pay the fee when I disembark to go the airport/travel home?

Yes, fees will apply to all guests, including those disembarking at a Greek port to travel to the airport, as well as guests returning home.

Do I need to pay the fee even if I don’t go ashore?

No, the fee is only incurred when you physically leave the ship.

Do I need to pay the fee if I just go to the dock and don’t leave the port?

Yes, the fee is applied as soon as you leave the ship.

Is the fee charged per visit to a port or just once per port regardless of multiple visits?

The fee is only applied once, so you can make multiple visits to the same port on the same day without incurring extra fees.

I have an overnight stay in the port on board the ship, if I visit the port on both days, do I need to pay the fee twice?

The fee is charged per port, so it is applied only once, even if the ship stays overnight.

Does the time I go ashore matter, if I go ashore later in the day is the fee reduced?

The fee is a port fee and is not time dependent, so the full fee will be charged, no matter how long the stay.

Do I have to pay the tourist fee if I go onto stay in a hotel if I’ve already paid the cruise tax fee?

The fee applies when you first leave the leave the ship, your activity during the stay does not change the fee.

Is there any age exemption (e.g. under 2 or under 12)?

No, the same fee applies to all guests irrespective of age.

Are there exemptions or discounts for disabled guests?

No, the same fee applies to all guests.

Iceland

Iceland infrastructural fee

We inform you that Icelandic authorities apply an infrastructure fee to all cruise guests visiting Icelandic ports. For 2026, the fee is ISK 1,600 (approx. €11) per person per 24-hour period in Icelandic ports, reduced from ISK 2,500 in 2025. As this itinerary includes three nights in Icelandic waters, the total fee will be ISK 4,800 (approx. €33) per person. Please note: MSC Cruises will include the Icelandic Infrastructural fee in the total cruise fare where applicable for all Guests. This fee applies to all guests whether they disembark or remain onboard while the ship is docked.

Japan

Japan Exit Fee

Please note that, effective July 1st , 2026, the International Tourist Tax introduced by the Japanese government since January 2019 will be increased to JPY 3,000 per person. It is applicable to all passengers with a cruise booked from July 1st each time they leave Japan by sea or air and travel to another country, including both foreign visitors and Japanese nationals. The amount of JPY 3,000 will be collected on board our ships calling at Japanese ports and converted into US dollars using the exchange rate applicable on the departure date. The amount of the tax will be charged on the passenger’s cruise card. Exemptions apply to: infants under the age of two.

La Romana (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

Dominican Republic entry exit fee

With reference to cruises that have the Dominican Republic among its destinations please be aware that the Dominican Republic authorities charge entry and exit fees to international visitors in the country. These mandatory fees are structured as follows:

  • Exit Fee: A charge of USD 20.00 per guest applies to all embarking guests without exception.
  • Entry Fee (Tarjeta de Turista): A charge of USD 10.00 per guest is required for all disembarking guests – Dominican citizens, legal residents, guests holding a valid Dominican visa and Brazilian nationals are exempted from paying the entry fee.


To ensure a smooth and efficient transit experience through the cruise terminal, MSC Cruises is paying fees directly to the local authorities on behalf of the passengers. The amount will be debited to the passenger onboard account. These fees are set by the authorities of the Dominican Republic and apply to all cruise lines and travellers, regardless of age. MSC Cruises does not determine or control these charges.

MSC Fly & Cruise guests flying into La Romana (LRM) are considered in transit and exempt from Dominican Republic entry and exit fees only if the inbound flight arrives on the same day as cruise embarkation and the outbound flight departs on the same day as cruise disembarkation.

In all other Fly & Cruise cases (different airports or different travel dates), the mandatory fees apply and will be charged to the onboard account.

Venice (Italy)

How does the Venice Entry Fee work?

  • Starting from April 3rd till 26th July 2026., daily visitors entering Venice between 8:30 and 16:00 are required to pay an access fee before arriving. This fee amounts to €5 if paid at least four days prior to your arrival in Venice, or €10 if paid three days or less before your visit. You can find more information about the Venice Access Fee and make the payment on the following link: https://cda.veneziaunica.it/en/access-fee.

After completing your payment, you will receive a QR code. Please be prepared to present it if requested by local law enforcement while you are in the Ancient City.

Please note that:

  • - Guests booked on MSC shore excursions in Venice do not need to pay this fee directly, as it is included in the price of the tour.

  • - Guests travelling to and from the Stazione Marittima Cruise Terminal to complete embarkation and disembarkation procedures are not required to pay, provided they do not enter the Ancient City.


Complete details, including a list of exemptions and payment, can be found here: https://cda.veneziaunica.it/en/exemptions.


All Guest, including those exempt from payment, must present a QR code to local authorities: -    Guests who pay the fee will receive the QR code automatically.  -    Exempted guests must apply online to obtain their QR code, please check this link for more detailed information.

While there are no physical barriers to enter Venice, law enforcement may approach you and ask you to show your QR code or any other proof of exemption at any time during your stay. Failure to provide this could result in a fine.

Please note that MSC Cruises cannot be held liable for non-compliance with the above.

We strongly advise all guests planning to visit the Ancient City to obtain their QR code before entering.

How do I pay the Venice Entry Fee?

While there are no physical barriers to enter Venice, law enforcement may approach you and ask you to show your QR code or any other proof of exemption at any time during your stay. Failure to provide this could result in a fine. 

Please note that MSC Cruises cannot be held liable for non-compliance with the above.

We strongly advise all guests planning to visit the Ancient City to obtain their QR code before entering.

MSC Excursions

Guests booked on MSC shore excursions in Venice do not need to pay this fee directly, as it is included in the price of the tour.

MSC Stay Cruise Venice

If you have booked a hotel stay in Venice through the MSC Stay & Cruise programme, you are exempt from paying the Venice Access Fee. However, you still need to register for the exemption and obtain your QR code.