Yes — in order to cruise, you have to pay them and there's no avoiding them. Just as you have to pay your base cruise fare, you also have to pay port charges and taxes. These are necessary even if you don't actually get off the ship when the ship's docked at a port of call.

In 2026, the answer is increasingly "it depends," as cruise lines have shifted toward more transparent but complex pricing models. Traditionally, "Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses" were bundled into the final checkout price, but the base "sticker price" you see on an advertisement often excludes them. Port fees are charges levied by local government authorities for the ship to dock, use the harbor, and manage waste. Notably, in 2026, several regions like Greece and Alaska have introduced new "Sustainable Tourism" levies—for example, Mykonos and Santorini now charge per-passenger fees (ranging from €4 to €20) that may be collected separately or added to your onboard folio. While most major lines (like Royal Caribbean or Carnival) include standard port taxes in your pre-paid invoice, you must read the fine print to see if new local "entry taxes" or "day-visitor fees" are bundled or will be charged to your SeaPass account once the ship actually arrives at the destination.