Holiday resort takes action against cruise ships: Soon only one per day allowed

The southern French coastal city of Cannes will allow significantly fewer large cruise ships to dock at its gates in the future. Starting next year, only one ship designed for more than 3,000 passengers will be permitted per day, according to the city hall. A total of 34 such giant ships will then be allowed in the Bay of Cannes each year. By 2027, this number will be reduced to 31. More than 6,000 cruise passengers per day will therefore no longer be permitted in the city.

The popular city on the Côte d'Azur wants to attract more smaller, more modern, and more environmentally friendly passenger ships . The boats should also be more aesthetically pleasing, according to a statement from the city hall. Starting in 2030, Cannes plans to only allow ships that can carry a maximum of 1,300 guests.

"The Bay of Cannes is an ecological treasure and a source of biodiversity that must be protected," said conservative mayor David Lisnard, justifying the move. Years ago, his city hall had already imposed strict environmental regulations on cruise ships.

Last year, 175 passenger ships reportedly docked in Cannes, bringing 460,000 people to the city. The large cruise ships do not dock in Cannes itself, but rather anchor in the bay outside the city. The passengers are then brought ashore in smaller boats, according to French media reports. The new regulation will take effect through a contract with the company responsible for the small port.

• The ship " Icon of the Seas" is considered the largest cruise ship in the world.
• A total of more than 1.2 million passengers embarked on cruises from the Hanseatic City of Hamburg in 2023—a record, according to the Hamburg Port Authority.
• In 2024, there were 34.6 million passengers on ocean cruises, according to "cruising.org".
• In 2023, there were 31.69 million passengers.