Mayor of Nice Confronts Cruise Ship Over Tourism Limits
A heated standoff erupted off the French Riviera on July 3, 2025, when Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi confronted Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas for violating new cruise tourism restrictions. The 137,000-ton vessel, carrying over 3,000 passengers, anchored at Villefranche-sur-Mer despite recently enacted limits.
Estrosi, aboard a police boat, attempted to board the ship to enforce rules that took effect on July 1. However, crew members denied him access. Video footage showed Estrosi demanding to speak with the captain, declaring the ship’s presence unauthorized under the new regulations.
The rules cap daily cruise visitors at 2,500 for Villefranche, limit Nice dockings to ships with fewer than 450 passengers, and restrict total annual arrivals to 65 ships. Estrosi had initially proposed stricter limits in January, including banning ships with over 900 passengers, but eased the policy in March after pushback from local businesses.
Despite clear warnings to cruise lines, Voyager of the Seas remained for its full 13-hour stop before departing for Corsica. It is scheduled to reach Italy on July 5 and complete its Mediterranean cruise on July 7.
Estrosi warned of legal action, stating, “All shipping companies are already fully informed. If the ship does not raise anchor, we will prosecute.”
The incident underscores rising tensions in Europe over mass tourism. Cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Amsterdam are also cracking down on large cruise ships to protect the environment and local quality of life.
Smaller ships like Silver Whisper and SeaDream II now dominate calls to Villefranche under the new policy.
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