A number of European destinations are facing the wipeout of their cruise industries, with calls cancelled in both Iceland and France.
Dozens of cruise lines are planning to cancel their visits to Iceland over a new infrastructure fee, which was imposed at the beginning of the year.
Icelandic national broadcaster RUV reports harbourmasters across the country as having received very little notice about the new fee.
The payment, set at ISK2,500 per passenger per day for ships on international cruises, equates to about US$18 (A$26) for every passenger on the ship, and is expected to generate ISK1.5 billion (A$17m) for Iceland.
A letter to a port authority in Iceland from MSC Cruises alleges the new fee is a fivefold increase on the accommodation tax levied on the industry before 2024.
“This new proposed infrastructure fee is at a level where it could affect our assessment of the viability of Iceland in our future itineraries and plans,” the letter said.
“We are seeking your kind assistance and swift support as our partner in Iceland to raise concerns and questions with the relevant local and political stakeholders about the wisdom of the introduction of a significant new tax that will likely affect or put at risk the presence and contribution of cruise tourism to local Icelandic communities, businesses, and its economy.”
Cruise Iceland Chair Sigurdur Jokull Olafsson said he hopes the country’s government will revisit the issue.
“We would have, first of all, wanted to see this implemented in stages so it wouldn’t hit operations as hard as it does now,” he told RUV.
“It’s reasonable for this sector to contribute…but it must be implemented with adequate notice,” Olafsson added.
Some of the biggest cruise operators in Iceland include MSC, as well as Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Viking, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Aurora Expeditions, and Windstar.
Meanwhile, Christian Estrosi, the Mayor of Nice, has announced a ban on “low-cost” cruises to the French Riviera city, among a number of measures to combat overtourism.
The Nice ban will target ships carrying more than 900 passengers, with Estrosi describing these cruise guests as travellers who “consume nothing and leave their waste behind”.
His goal is to eliminate these cruise calls from Jul, adding he is working to “cancel all cruises that can still be cancelled ahead of drafting a banning order,” Riviera Radio reports.
Cannes is looking at a similar ban, according to media reports, with brands such as Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Cunard Line, Norwegian, and Viking set to be impacted.
Cruise Lines International Association was contacted for comment on the news in both Iceland and France. MS