French
authorities have officially rolled out new rules that will reshape cruise operations
along the Alpes-Maritimes coastline (the French Riviera), home to some of the
Mediterranean’s busiest cruise ports, according to Seatrade
Cruise News.
The new measures are
designed to mitigate crowding while balancing the economic importance of cruise
tourism for coastal communities in the département (similar to a county) such
as Nice, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Menton.
The decree places
a cap on how many cruise passengers can disembark on any given day. On average,
ports across the département will be limited to an annual
average of 2,000 passengers per port call per day. On especially busy days,
that number can rise to 3,000 passengers disembarking at the same time, but
only if the annual average remains within the 2,000-passenger threshold.
The rules also
restrict how often large ships can call. Vessels carrying more than 1,300
passengers will be limited to one ship per day per anchorage or stopover area.
During peak summer season—July 1 through August 31—those large-ship calls are
capped at 15 per month. Notably, these limits do not apply to ships that are
berthed in ports.
Cruise lines that
have signed onto the Sustainable Mediterranean Cruise Charter will get priority
when it comes to scheduling and authorizations. The updated 2025 version of the
charter, signed earlier this year by most major cruise companies, strengthens
commitments around biodiversity protection, safeguarding cetaceans, reducing
waste and sea discharges, and cutting down on noise, light pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions. It also encourages the use of low-emission
transportation for shore excursions and asks cruise operators to help limit
overcrowding at popular tourist sites.
Cruise Lines
International Association (CLIA) acknowledged the collaborative process behind
the new rules, but noted that “as cruise itineraries are planned years ahead,
regulatory measures must take this long-term cycle into account, including
their economic implications for local communities.” CLIA also warned that “the
implementation of certain aspects of the decree may have an impact on the
economic vitality of the regions that welcome cruise ships and on the broader
tourism ecosystem,” stressing the importance of reviewing the effects and
making adjustments with stakeholders if needed.
Earlier this
year, both Nice
and Cannes
explored rolling out their own cruise restrictions, but those city-by-city
efforts ultimately evolved into a broader, coordinated regional approach to
managing cruise traffic, with CLIA participating in the planning discussions.
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