Nice restricts large cruise ships as part of tourism management strategy

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Nice restricts large cruise ships as part of tourism management strategy

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Gene Sloan Cruise team lead | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Jan 29, 2025

Nice, France, has joined a growing list of cruise destinations imposing restrictions on large ships. Starting July 1, vessels carrying over 900 passengers will be prohibited from disembarking in Nice and the nearby port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. This move aims to manage the influx of cruise passengers to the picturesque city along the Cote d'Azur.

Mayor Christian Estrosi emphasized his opposition to large cruise ships, stating, "I don't want floating hotels to drop anchor in front of Nice." He criticized cruises that pollute and contribute little economically while leaving waste behind. The mayor's comments were translated from an article in local newspaper Nice-Matin.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), representing the cruise industry's interests, expressed surprise at this decision. According to CLIA, no large ships were scheduled to call on Nice in 2025; only smaller vessels can enter its harbor. Larger ships typically dock at Villefranche-sur-Mer, located about four miles away. For 2025, three large and 34 medium-sized ships are expected at Villefranche-sur-Mer. The CLIA stated that such bans "only serve to stigmatize the cruise industry."

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Statistics from the local chamber of commerce indicate that cruise passengers spend about $40 per day in Nice, less than other visitors. This spending pattern makes them less desirable in terms of revenue generation.

Nice follows other popular destinations like Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Santorini, Key West, and Venice in enacting regulations to limit cruiser numbers. Some places have opted for passenger taxes instead or alongside ship size limits.

In Alaska's capital Juneau and other ports, per-passenger head taxes have been charged for years. Iceland recently increased its tourist tax from $7 per person for overnight guests to an $18 fee per visit or port for cruisers. Mexico also raised its tourist tax from $35 to $42 and extended it to include cruise passengers starting mid-2025 after a delay due to pressure from cruise lines.