The Mayor of Nice, who also presides over the Nice–Côte d’Azur Metro, sailed out on a port-police launch to meet the RCI-Royal Caribbean's ship Voyager of the Seas, which was anchored off Villefranche-sur-Mer.
The ship, with a capacity to accommodate around 3500 passengers, had arrived just two days after the metropolis imposed new limits to restrict cruise vessels to a maximum of 2,500 passengers. Intending to deliver a letter that restated these measures, the mayor was halted at the gangway when the ship’s captain, citing maritime protocol mandating explicit permission before boarding any foreign-flagged vessel, declined his request. The moment was captured on film, with the mayor declaring that the ship was not permitted to be there, calling those on board "nothing".
The event prompted sharp criticism across local forums and social media, with commentators accusing the mayor of staging the event for attention, especially given the timing amid the approaching 2026 municipal elections. One user dismissed it as “a ridiculous PR stunt,” while others branded it a desperate bid for relevance.
The Maritime Union of Alpes-Maritimes (UM06) swiftly countered the mayor’s narrative. Their statement clarified that the arrival of Voyager of the Seas had been pre-approved by the metropolitan authority under his leadership. They also condemned what they termed an attempt at illegal boarding and affirmed that the ship complied fully with regulations and that no objections had been filed before or during the stopover.
Legal experts pointed out that enforcement of maritime regulations falls under the jurisdiction of national bodies—the Préfecture Maritime or port authority—not municipal officials. By confronting an international cruise vessel directly, the mayor was perceived to exceed his legal remit.
Despite the rebuke and lack of formal violations, the mayor announced his intent to initiate legal proceedings against the ship’s operator for flouting environmental restrictions. However, with documentation indicating prior approval and compliance, observers now suggest that the legal action may carry more symbolic weight than substantial footing.
The mayor’s sea sortie concluded with an unceremonious return to shore. The episode left critics questioning his motives and effectiveness, as the intended display of authority seemed to erode, rather than bolster, his standing in the maritime and political spheres.
For more Voyager of the Seas incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.