In Barcelona, disembarking cruise-ship passengers have been greeted by angry locals blasting water pistols. Italy banned large ships from Venice to try to defuse a growing backlash against visitors desperate to be pushed around on a gondola. Croatia is limiting cruise stops in Dubrovnik, where the historic old city often feels besieged by Game of Thrones fans. Greece plans to restrict calls to its islands next year, fed up with arrivals lining up for selfies in front of the blue roofs of Santorini.
Now, travelers are rethinking dreams of a European cruise.“It was kind of like they’re sick of us,” said Anne Thimm, a 63-year-old retiree and avid traveler from Shallotte, North Carolina, who complained of a visit to Spain and Portugal in 2022 that left a sour taste.
Ports are tired of the big ships depositing so many thousands of passengers their city is taken over … not an issue on small ship cruises. Small ships are always welcome.
