New accommodation fee for cruise ship guests in Iceland

Local authorities in Iceland are introducing a new accommodation fee for cruise ship guests in the island's territorial waters from January 2024. The fee is 1,000 ISK (approx. 169 CZK) per cabin/night and is intended to contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in the country.

The new charge will starting in July 2024 and until the end of the year affect the Nordic sailings of the MSC Preziosa (July and September 2024). Guests will be charged a fee to their on-board account upon departure from Iceland. Clients may be exempt if the whole cabin chooses not to disembark at any Icelandic port (in which case they must inform the ship's staff in advance). If only part of the guests occupying the same cabin decide to go ashore and visit Iceland, even if only in one Icelandic port, they will be charged the full amount for the cabin.

In year 2025 the levy will affect cruises on the MSC Poesia (June 2025), MSC Preziosa (May-August 2025) and MSC Virtuosa (June 2026). The cruise company will pay the tax for the guests in advance, the amount will be charged to the ship's account after departure from Iceland. The rules for the exemption remain for the time being the same as in 2024.