Italian Riviera - What to Expect When Cruise in Port
 

Hi,

I am considering an itinerary for the Italian Riveira based in Santa Margherita Ligure and also on the CT (yes, I know I can day trip from the SML but am wanting to experience the CT without being part of the day tripper problem) for May 2026.

I understand the stress on the CT when there is a cruise at La Spezia. But what about Portofino? Does that also put stress on the CT as well as SML/Rapallo/Camogli?

Just wanting to gauge my schedule accordingly. Thanks!

Moved to Europe Forum and tagged for Italy

The month of May can get very rainy in this area and not all cruise people are interested in long hikes.
Whenever the coastal 5Terre trail gets crowded, the upper trails are usually fine.
All depends oon what you plan to do.

Thank you. FYI, I was also asking about how it is in Rapallo and Santa Magherita Ligure, not JUST the CT.

I was not asking about the weather but the crowds from the cruise ships in either port.

I'm no expert, but I think some cruises that include Portofino offer excursions to the Cinque Terre, Rapallo, etc. I'm sure it could be tedious, but perhaps you could check the itineraries for cruises that might be in a nearby port on the days you might be in the area? I hope others with greater knowledge will chime in....

Sorry, I can't help. The contamination of rather small Ligurian ports (where is not much to do or to see) by big American cruise vessels is a rather new phenomena.

I was in Camogli from June 22 to 28th this year. Didn't see cruise ship people there but when we went to Portofino for the day it was jammed with cruise ship people -there were 2 big ships anchored off and lots of large yachts and there were tenders coming and going the whole time we were there. We went to Villefranche sur Mer in France afterwards and it was worse in terms of cruise ships.

Thank you, rcg. That's exactly the information I was looking for.

Should there be ship(s) docked while I'm there, will plan a day away from the fray. Perhaps to. San Fruttuoso.

May might be different but San Fruttuoso was also jam packed, we stopped there to change ferries on our way to Portofino from Camogli. I dont think they were cruise people, just a mix of locals and tourists but it was sardine city there.
Camogli was nice and not jammed with people. I mean there were definitely tourists there but it was not a mob scene at all.