Tourist Taxes That Could Secretly Inflate Your Next Cruise Bill

5. French Polynesia – Environmental Protection Fee (~$2.50–$4/day)

Idyllic stops in Bora Bora, Moorea, or Papeete may feel like paradise—but that tropical serenity includes a quietly accumulating environmental protection fee. Typically ranging between $2.50 and $4 per person per day, this fee supports coral reef preservation, waste management, and sustainability efforts across the islands. Over a 10-day luxury cruise through French Polynesia, that adds up to $40 or more per passenger. While modest at first glance, the fee becomes significant on extended voyages and is often embedded within port taxes or daily charges, hiding in plain sight on your final invoice.