The French Riviera resort of Cannes is set to restrict cruise ships carrying more than 1,000 people from entering its harbour from January 2026.
Cannes city councillors agreed the measures on Friday, which will also only allow a maximum of 6,000 passengers to disembark per day.
Ships carrying more than 1,000 people will be required to transfer passengers to shore using smaller boats. Currently, many bigger cruise ships already use tenders to bring guests to shore in Cannes.
The Independent reports Mayor David Lisnard said: “Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits. It’s not about banning cruise ships, but about regulating, organizing, setting guidelines for their navigation.”
Cannes is a popular spot for Mediterranean itineraries, and on 13 July both MSC’s MSC Seaview and NCL’s Norwegian Epic are due in port. Both carry more than 4,000 passengers each, which combined would exceed next year’s daily visitor limit of 6,000.
Earlier this year, nearby Nice announced a ban on large cruise ships, but backtracked, proposing daily limits to reduce cruise ship port calls instead. In March, News agency AFP said that, after consulting with local leaders, a plan would be submitted to allow ships carrying up to 2,500 passengers to anchor in Villefranche-sur-Mer, but never more than one at a time.
