In May 2022, the former government and cruise operators signed a memorandum of understanding that set a limit of three cruise ships per day, one of them a ship with capacity of more than 5,000. This memorandum was applicable until 2026 but it wasn't binding; decisions ultimately lie with the State Ports.
From now on, the newly created ministry of the sea will have powers over the regulation of cruise ships in the Balearics, the director of the CLIA Cruise Lines International Association in Spain, Alfredo Serrano, having said that operators will be "open" to any new request. Companies need to know well in advance in order to market their itineraries.
For the anti-mega cruise ship platform, the limit was insufficient. It has therefore called for further reduction but is concerned about what might now happen under the new government. While this pressure group would preferably see the daily limit cut to one ship, businesses are seeking a relaxation of the regulation.
With modification for 2025 a possibility, the transport federation in the Balearics wants to ensure that there isn't concentration of arrivals; coach operators need to be able to provide the best possible service to cruise passengers.
The president of the Aviba travel agencies association, Pedro Fiol, argues that the regulation of Palma stopovers was made "without foundation". He questions the criteria used for setting the limit, insisting that the cruise lines are "the first to be interested in sustainability and the use of renewable energies".
In 2020, Palma was one of a number of ports that signed up to the Cruise 2030 Call for Action. Others include Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bergen, Cannes, Dubrovnik, Malaga, Marseille and Venice. This advocates the sustainable development of cruise tourism and the use of smaller cruise ships.
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The only ones who profit from these mega polluting ships are the illegal street sellers or cruise ship junkies - desperate to squeeze their necks into the ‘all you can eat’ buffet troughs. And what’s the real cost of these holidays from hell? The environment? The reputation of Palma? That’s a cost to high - for the people of Mallorca.
Lisa Julia has it right. With the daily docking fees going to Madrid and the passengers limiting themselves to buying fridge magnets and other low cost trinkets and rushing back to their ships for lunch and dinner, there ain't much to be had for Palma's coffers in terms of meaningful revenue streams. And the pollution cost Lisa refers to has to be paid for eventually by residents in taxes. I would like to see less ships per week with a better and fairer share of the revenue than at present.
From the Cruise 2030 call for action, both Venice and Amsterdam have now increased their position and banned cruise ships completely. These floating mega polluters put off paying tourists, by disgorging thousands of ‘cheap as chips’ wrist ban travellers - clogging up the narrow streets of Palma. They contribute little to the economy, but the cost of accommodating them is high. What they do and do massively, is pollute - the air, the sea, even the streets!!! Stand up for sustainable tourism. Fight climate change and think quality tourism … for the sake of Palma now and future generations.