Greek cruising is experiencing a golden age, as 2025 is expected to “lock in” new record levels in arrivals and passengers.
Already for the current year, which is still ongoing, an increase in ship arrivals and passengers is expected, potentially surpassing 10% compared to 2024, stated Mr. Apostolos Kamarinakis, President of the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) and CEO of Elefsina Port Authority, in statements to Tornos News.
This increase follows the upward trajectory of the cruise industry since 2024. According to data from the Bank of Greece, the past year closed with a 43.8% annual increase in cruise passengers (a total of 5 million), a 22.4% rise in revenue from cruises (€1.11 billion), and 156 more ship arrivals (to 5,308).
“The role of ports, as gateways for passengers to a destination, is of multiple and decisive significance for both the local and national economy, as well as for the broader tourism development of a region,” emphasizes Mr. Kamarinakis.
For 2024, Bank of Greece data showed that the total overnight stays of passengers outside cruise ships increased by 31.5% compared to 2023, reaching 12.38 million, positively impacting the formation of revenues from cruises (€1.11 billion).
At the same time, the outlook for the cruise industry in 2026 shows signs of further strengthening. For example, the largest cruise port in the country, Piraeus, is on a positive path for the new year, with planning data available to the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) predicting cruise arrivals at 950, up from 865 in 2025.
National “Berth Allocation” System Across Greece
Given the increased numbers, ELIME is expected to focus on developing a national “Berth Allocation” system for managing cruise visitors. Mr. Kamarinakis revealed that the possibility of a related proposal will be discussed at the next ELIME Board of Directors meeting, for implementing “Berth Allocation” nationwide across its members.
“Berth Allocation is an essential tool for Greek ports, aimed at smooth cruise operations and balanced tourist flow, ensuring that local infrastructure and communities are not overwhelmed,” he stressed.
The proposal will include a platform for managing reservations and berth allocation for cruise ships, which will be implemented in coordination between port management authorities and cruise companies. This will ensure the rational management of visitor arrivals and avoid congestion at destinations. The “Berth Allocation” system will ensure that cruise ships are assigned to specific time periods of arrival, preventing overcrowding from simultaneous passenger arrivals.
“An Increase in Cruise Destinations is Necessary”
Additionally, as Greek cruising strengthens, “it is important to increase the number of destinations and include more areas of the country, beyond the traditional ones,” emphasizes the president of ELIME. As he points out, “This has already begun, and we support it from our side by offering our members the ‘tools’ to meet the modern demands of sea tourism.”
However, the president of ELIME stresses that a necessary condition for a port to host cruise ships is investments in modern infrastructure, which can also benefit the surrounding areas.
“With proper planning and management, Greek ports can contribute to a more sustainable tourism model, respecting both the environment and the local community,” he states.
National Framework with Limits and Proportionality Clauses for Cruise Taxes
Regarding the cruise tax, which reaches €20 per passenger in Mykonos and Santorini, while in other destinations it remains at €5 during the summer, Mr. Kamarinakis emphasizes that while the need for financing infrastructure projects is understandable, “it is essential to have a national framework that sets limits and proportionality clauses.”
Outlook for 2025 at Greek Ports
Currently, many Greek ports are gaining a stronger footprint in the cruise industry, attracting more arrivals, passengers, and, consequently, revenue.
For 2025, total planned cruise arrivals in Piraeus are expected to reach 865, compared to 810 in 2024. At the same time, Piraeus is expanding its role as an important homeporting hub in the Mediterranean. By August 2025, of the total 578 cruise arrivals, 453 were homeport arrivals. In total, this year is expected to close with 674 homeport arrivals, up from 613 last year.
This boosts the local economy, as many cruise passengers, especially from the U.S., typically spend 1-2 nights in Athens before departing or after returning from their cruises, supporting the tourism and hospitality sectors of the capital.
ELIME’s data for 2025 provides the following outlook for the major cruise ports:
Mykonos and Santorini: In the flagship destinations of Greek tourism, Mykonos saw an increase in arrivals (864, compared to 768 last year), while Santorini had a slight decrease in arrivals (742, compared to 757 last year). This is due to a combination of factors, including the effects of seismic activity early in the year, the berth allocation (limiting arrivals to 8,000 passengers per day), and possibly the new cruise tax.
Ionian Islands: Corfu saw an increase from 463 arrivals in 2024 to 473 this year, while Kefalonia had 144 arrivals this year, compared to 122 last year.
Aegean Islands: Rhodes leads with 450 arrivals in 2025, up from 346 last year, while Kos also saw an increase from 70 arrivals last year to 79 this year.
Crete: The port of Heraklion, from 266 arrivals in 2024, has recorded 291 this year, while the port of Souda in Chania saw 188 arrivals this year, compared to 130 last year.
Peloponnese: The port of Katakolo in 2025 has recorded a total of 265 cruise arrivals, up from 217 in 2024, while Nafplio, from 122 arrivals in 2024, is expected to have 115 this year.
Lavrio: This port saw 150 cruise arrivals, up from 88 last year.
