Europe without fingerprints: why cruise passengers avoid new border checks

Europe without the fingerprints is becoming increasingly appealing. New European regulations requiring all visitors from over 150 countries to register their facial scans and fingerprints will be fully operational by the start of the holiday season in April 2026. Airport passenger congestion and delays seem likely on incoming flights with the knock-on effect of uncollected luggage being off-loaded from carousels in preparation for the next arrival.

But there’s a get-out.

Passengers on cruises starting and ending in the UK are not subject to the regulations, regardless of how many European ports they visit and places they explore. Bob McGowan, Chief Experience Officer at Ambassador Cruise Line, one of a number of cruise lines offering ‘no-fly’ cruises from the UK, commented: “Guests of Ambassador’s no-fly sailings – which all depart from and return to one of seven UK regional ports, namely London Tilbury, Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol Royal Portbury and Portsmouth – need not fret about the new EES requirements before, during or after travelling with us.”

So, here are some examples of what’s on offer, fingerprint-free.

Northern Europe

The stunning scenery of the Norwegian Fjords makes for a popular destination with first-time cruisers. Olden and Stavanger are on the ‘must see’ list, along with Flam and its famous mountain railway. Starting at Flam the train negotiates steep climbs and tight turns to Myrdal, some 2,800 ft above sea level. If you want the best views, take the option to cycle back down the service road – there’s not much pedalling to do.

The historic port of Bergen is easily explored on foot and behind the colourful painted old buildings there are even older buildings just waiting to be discovered. Take the funicular to the top of Mount Floyen and you can enjoy spectacular views of the port, city and surrounding area.

Further south, popular Baltic cities of Gdansk, Riga and Tallinn are regular stops, as is Helsinki, home to the composer Sibelius. Check out the famous monument to him. Amsterdam is easily explored on foot, plus a canal cruise is highly recommended. The art galleries are full of paintings by Old Masters but if you want to visit Anne Frank’s house, be sure to book well in advance or go on a tour organised by the cruise line.

Atlantic Coast

The Atlantic coast of Europe gives cruisers access to many fascinating places. La Rochelle and A Coruna are two delightful ports, the latter being noted for the Tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse dating back to the first century. The Spanish port of Getxo is best known for the transporter bridge to Vizcaya. The gondola suspended from the bridge carries both pedestrians and vehicles. The nearby city of Bilbao is a fascinating mix of old and new. Don’t miss the street art around the Guggenheim Museum.

The Canary Islands are popular year-round and the smaller ones such as La Gomera and La Palma offer a relaxed old-world atmosphere that you won’t find in the more touristy places.

The Portuguese islands of the Azores and Madeira offer a lovely climate and ships docked in Madeira’s Funchal are right next to the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum. On the Portuguese mainland, Porto has a lot to offer including the Azulejos, the famous Portuguese blue tiles, which adorn the main railway station. Cross the River Douro by cable car or the famous double-decker Louis I Bridge to the lively riverside area of Vila Nova de Gaia, home to famous Port Houses such as Fonseca, Taylor’s, Sandeman and more. Most offer a tour, demonstration and tastings.

Further south the country’s capital, Lisbon, is famous for its old trams that operate on the steep streets and it was from here in 1497 that Vasco da Gama navigated the first direct sea route from Europe to India. Don’t forget to try the famous custard tart Pastéis de Nata, a delicacy with an international reputation.

Mediterranean

Passing Gibraltar and heading into the Mediterranean, Malaga and Barcelona are popular places to visit. In Barcelona the Sagrada Família, the amazing new cathedral, is a major attraction while soccer fans should head for the Camp Nou stadium.

Rome is not on the coast but most cruise ships stop at Civitavecchia, its nearest cruise port. Visitors can either take a cruise ship excursion or follow the crowds to the local railway station where a forty-minute journey will take you to the centre of the city. Make sure you head back in time and allow for the fact that Italian trains may not always be that punctual. Similarly, the popular port of Livorno is not far from Pisa and its famous Leaning Tower. On longer cruises, ships may go to further-flung destinations such as Split, Kotor and Dubrovnik, famous for its historic walled town.

These are just a few of many European highlights accessible on a cruise. Your floating hotel, with its restaurants, bars, theatre, spa and gym, takes you overnight from one fascinating place to the next. All this and no worries about airport queues, delays, how many cases you take or how much they weigh. Take as much luggage as you like, the captain won’t mind!

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