Travelers seeking to avoid potential chaos and long queues at European airports this summer may find an alternative in cruise travel, as the continent's new Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to cause disruptions. The automated digital border system, implemented for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area, has been fully operational since October and is now active in 29 countries.
Reports indicate that the EES has led to considerable delays at several popular tourist destinations. Lisbon, Portugal, has been significantly affected, and Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy was previously identified as a hub experiencing substantial wait times. According to BBC News, waiting times for UK nationals at Rome Fiumicino Airport have tripled, increasing from seven minutes to approximately 20 minutes.
This situation has led some travel experts to suggest that cruises offer a way to visit European destinations without encountering the lengthy airport queues associated with the new border system. Cruise lines are offering itineraries that include stops in cities like Málaga and Alicante in Spain, Genoa for access to Milan in Italy, Le Havre for potential trips to Paris, and Lisbon in Portugal.
For instance, P&O Cruises offers a 14-night Mediterranean voyage in August 2027 that includes stops in Málaga and Alicante. Princess Cruises provides a seven-day Western Mediterranean itinerary with a stop in Genoa, from which travelers can reach Milan. Fred Olsen is set to offer an 18-night trip in September 2026, exploring Italian coastal areas with stops in ports such as Olbia and Salerno.
Royal Caribbean has a three-day Paris Getaway cruise departing in September 2027, stopping at Le Havre. P&O Cruises also has a 10-night trip to Spain, France, and Portugal that calls at Lisbon. For those interested in the Netherlands, MSC Preziosa offers a seven-night voyage that includes a full day in Amsterdam. These cruise options allow passengers to experience these cities without navigating the EES queues at their respective airports.