Starting this year Iceland has introduced a new fee which will affect cruise ship passengers. The new "infrastructure fee" of 2,500 Icelandic Krona (approximately €18) per person per day is now being charged to all cruise passengers staying in Icelandic territorial waters. This fee replaces the previous accommodation tax, which was abolished earlier this year.

The infrastructure fee applies to all cruise ships, regardless of whether passengers disembark or stay aboard. For example, on a four-day cruise, like the MSC Preziosa, which will dock in Iceland starting June 9, 2025, passengers will have to pay a total fee of approximately €70, reports Schiffe-und-Kreuzfahrten. This fee will be automatically added to the passengers' onboard accounts once the ship departs Icelandic waters.

MSC Cruises has clarified that this fee is mandatory for all guests on cruise ships visiting Iceland, and it will be applied automatically. The fee is not dependent on whether passengers choose to take shore excursions or remain on board, ensuring that every traveler, regardless of their activities, contributes to the infrastructure development in Iceland. This new fee will apply to all cruise ships visiting Iceland, and it is part of the ongoing efforts by the Icelandic government to manage the increasing demand and impact of tourism on the island's resources and infrastructure.