Santorini has implemented new measures to limit the daily number of cruise ship visitors in an effort to reduce congestion on the popular Greek island. Starting June 1, local authorities have capped disembarkations at 8,000 passengers per day—roughly the number arriving from two or three cruise ships—significantly fewer than the previous influx of up to 17,000 visitors from seven or eight vessels during peak periods.

The restrictions apply primarily to the island’s key tourist centers, including the towns of Fira and Oia, which have historically experienced overcrowding due to the surge in cruise ship passengers. Alongside the visitor limit, the island has introduced a 20-euro port tax per passenger, a move that has met resistance from some cruise lines, resulting in the cancellation of certain port calls in protest.

Additional measures, first announced last year, restrict the number of passengers who may disembark at Athinios ferry port to 30 percent of a ship’s total passengers. The remainder must use Fira’s Old Port, accessing the town via a cable car or by climbing the 588 steps linking the port to the town center. The cable car often experiences long queues during busy periods.

Another notable change mandates that tender operations—the process of ferrying passengers from ships anchored in Santorini’s caldera to shore—are now managed exclusively by vessels of the Santorini Boatmen’s Association (SBA), rather than by cruise ships’ own lifeboats. To further regulate crowding, a limit of 500 passengers has been set for those waiting at the cable car or tender queues at the Old Port. Scheduling for tender operations is controlled by SBA vessels to maintain this cap.

A recent visit aboard Tui’s Marella Voyager, one of three cruise ships anchored in the caldera, indicates the new system is functioning smoothly. Passengers reported timely SBA tender services, well-maintained boats, and manageable crowds in Fira, allowing for a more comfortable experience compared to previous years. While some queues persisted, particularly at the bottom of the cable car, overall congestion appeared reduced.

Authorities acknowledge that ongoing adjustments may be needed throughout the summer season to balance visitor numbers and local capacity. The initial results suggest that Santorini’s approach to controlling cruise tourism could offer a more sustainable model for handling the island’s popularity while preserving the quality of the visitor experience.