Are There Port Charges On A European Cruise?

Port charges, also known as port fees, apply when a cruise ship docks at a port of call. Local authorities require a fee, and the cruise line collects all port charges from the ports they will be heading to on an itinerary. These fees cover various services and facilities that the port provides. Port fees and taxes are not a fixed amount; they vary depending on several factors.

The number and location of ports of call on your cruise itinerary directly affect the cost of these fees. Some ports are very expensive, such as South American ones, which can be 500 per person. Different ports of call charge cruise lines varying amounts, with the total port charges dependent on the destinations you visit and how many stops are included.

All cruise ship passengers will pay the same port fees and taxes, regardless of the cabin type. Cruise lines know how much each port charges and the basis for the charge, ie per passenger, per passenger crew, per vessel. Taxes, fees, and port expenses vary by sailing and are based on several different factors. Guests can always view the most up-to-date pricing including taxes.

For most river cruises, port charges average between 150 and 165 per person but can also vary above or below these rates. Mediterranean cruises can range between 150 and 200, contingent upon the ports of call and nations visited. An intercontinental cruise should cost EUR 130-140 for a 7-night cruise. Port charges are not profit for the cruise line or its agent.