Mayor Criticized Over Cruise Ship Show Amid New Limits

The Mayor of Nice, who also serves as the President of the Nice-Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area, has faced widespread backlash after what many are calling a choreographed display involving the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Voyager of the Seas off the coast of Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Just two days after the metropolitan government enacted new restrictions on cruise ship arrivals—banning vessels carrying more than 2,500 passengers—Voyager of the Seas, with roughly 3,100 on board, anchored offshore. In a move some interpreted as political theater, Mayor Estrosi boarded a port authority boat and attempted to hand-deliver a letter detailing the new policy to the ship’s captain.

However, his attempt to board the ship was blocked. According to reports from local media, maritime law requires that foreign-flagged vessels grant explicit permission for boarding—a request the captain refused. Video footage captured Estrosi waving the letter toward the vessel and shouting, “You are not allowed to be here, you are nothing!”

Online Backlash and Political Timing

Social media users quickly condemned the mayor’s actions, accusing him of seeking attention rather than acting out of genuine concern. With municipal elections set for 2026, many questioned the motives and timing of the episode, labeling it “a ridiculous PR stunt” and “a desperate move for attention.”

Union Rebuke and Procedural Missteps

The incident took another turn when the Alpes-Maritimes Maritime Union (UM06) issued a statement contradicting the mayor’s narrative. They revealed that Voyager of the Seas had, in fact, received prior authorization from the same metropolitan authority overseen by Estrosi. The union strongly criticized what it called “an attempted illegal boarding,” emphasizing that there had been no formal objections lodged against the ship’s scheduled stop.

“This stopover had been validated in advance by the Nice Metropolitan Area itself, and has not been the subject of any denunciation since,” the union stated. They asserted that the vessel adhered fully to the standing regulations.

Legal Overreach and Expert Concerns

Legal experts have raised eyebrows at the mayor’s actions, noting that enforcement of maritime laws is typically under the purview of national agencies like the Préfecture Maritime or the relevant port authority. Estrosi’s hands-on approach has prompted criticism for potentially overstepping his jurisdiction.

Despite public disapproval and questions about legality, Estrosi declared his intent to pursue legal action against the cruise operator for breaching environmental restrictions. Yet with evidence indicating prior approval and no reported violations, legal analysts suggest that such a case may carry little weight—similar to the symbolic gesture of the letter delivery itself.

Lingering Doubts and Reputational Impact

As Estrosi returned to land without achieving his goal, critics say the entire episode has only fueled skepticism about his leadership and motivations. Rather than reinforcing his environmental stance, the incident appears to have cast doubts over his credibility and intentions.