The new Entry/Exit System (EES) has been causing chaos for travellers since its initial rollout back in October of last year.
In April, the launch of the automated digital border system for non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, entering the Schengen Area was completed, and it is now fully operational in 29 different countries.
However, the introduction of the new technology has meant that many popular holiday destinations have been hit with delays and long queues as a result of the new system.
Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, has been badly affected, while Italy’s Milan Malpensa Airport was previously dubbed one of the worst hubs for EES delays by travel expert Simon Calder.
Elsewhere, Ivan Bassato, Rome Fiumicino Airport’s chief aviation officer, told BBC News how waiting times have tripled, with the time taken for UK nationals to get through the border rising from seven minutes to 20 minutes.
Fortunately, there are other means of travelling to beloved locations – and cruising offers holidaymakers the chance to visit their favourite destinations without the long airport queues.
Here we explore how a Mediterranean voyage could mean avoiding border chaos altogether this summer.
Don’t hang around in Spain’s airports – just sail there
EES queues in Málaga Airport have been particularly bad for holidaymakers
Sailing to the likes of Málaga and Alicante on a cruise means there is no need to pass through these busy hubs
Alicante Airport is one of Spain’s busiest hubs, and the country’s police union previously reported that the airport is being pushed to ‘breaking point’ over the EES system and lack of staff, according to the Olive Press.
Meanwhile, Málaga Airport has also been affected, with one British holidaymaker left stranded in the hub with her daughter after missing her flight.
But you can bask in Spain’s sunshine without facing airport chaos.
P&O Cruises offers a 14-night Mediterranean – Spain And France voyage in August 2027, embarking from Southampton.
The ship stops in both Málaga and Alicante, giving passengers a full day to spend in each of the popular spots.
HOW TO DO IT: Departs from Southampton on August 15, 2027, with prices starting from £1,579pp.
Skip the queues in Italy… and cruise there instead
Italy is another destination with long EES lines, so hop on a cruise that stops in Genoa for a hassle-free day in Milan instead
Travellers have reported experiencing long queues in multiple airports in Italy, with both Milan Malpensa Airport and Milan Linate Airport facing unappealing wait times over the past few months.
However, it is possible to get a taste of authentic Italian cuisine and enjoy the country’s beautiful coastline without flying in.
To skip the lines, why not instead sail to Milan’s nearest cruise port, Genoa, on board Princess Cruises’ Seven-Day Western Mediterranean with Italy voyage.
On day five, the cruise stops in Genoa, Milan’s closest port. Passengers can reach the popular city in around one hour and 30 minutes by train.
HOW TO DO IT: Departs from Barcelona on August 15, 2027, with prices from £849pp.
Fred Olsen offers an 18-night trip in September 2026 on board its Borealis ship, sailing from Southampton.
The Discovering Italy With The Amalfi Coast voyage takes passengers through six different spots across Italy, with stops in Gibraltar, Spain, Portugal and France.
On day six, cruisers wake up in Olbia – a lively city with plenty of history to explore. The next day, the ship passes by the Amalfi Coast, allowing them to soak in the views of towns including Positano and Ravello.
The ship then stops in Salerno, which is located between the Amalfi Coast and the Cilento National Park, before heading to Sorrento the next day.
It passes by the Maratea Coast before making its final Italian stop in Cagliari, in Sardinia.
HOW TO DO IT: Departs from Southampton on September 28, 2026, with prices from £3,499pp.
Say au revoir to queueing in France
Instead of queuing in Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris Beauvais, hop on a cruise to Le Havre
Queues at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport have been declared particularly bad for EES delays, and Paris Beauvais Airport was named the tenth worst airport for EES lines by Which?.
But instead of wasting time queueing in the airport, you can spend a day at sea sailing from Southampton with Royal Caribbean, before stopping at Le Havre for the day.
From there, it’s possible to travel into the ‘City of Love’ in around two hours by car and explore the capital.
HOW TO DO IT: Royal Caribbean’s three-day Paris Getaway cruise departs from Southampton on September 17, 2027, with prices from £414pp.
Don’t get caught in chaos in Portugal
Lisbon is another busy hub, but it is possible to cruise there for the day instead to avoid chaos at the borders
Lisbon Airport has been particularly badly affected by the introduction of EES, with ex-UK and EU diplomat Rupert Joy declaring the new system in ‘disarray’.
He wrote on social media platform X: ‘Complete chaos at Lisbon airport. Loads of people missing flights despite arriving hours in advance because of insanely long queues to passport control. No one seems to be in control or to have any idea what to do.’
Another traveller said he’d experienced a similar scenario, writing: ‘Having the machines at the start of the queue before going through passport control just caused a massive queue leaving Lisbon.’
According to research conducted by consumer champion Which? the airport ranked the fifth worst for EES queues.
Instead of flying into Lisbon and waiting in the long airport lines, P&O Cruises offers a 10-night trip departing from Southampton.
The Spain, France and Portugal voyage calls at Lisbon on day seven, giving passengers the best part of the day to explore this vibrant city.
Other Portuguese ports include Leixoes, from where passengers can easily travel to Porto.
HOW TO DO IT: Departs from Southampton on August 25, 2027, with prices starting from £1,029pp.
Make like a local and sail into Amsterdam
Amsterdam is another busy airport, but MSC stops in the popular city on one of its cruises
According to Which? analysis, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ranked the second worst for EES queues.
So instead, why not hop on a seven-night voyage with MSC Preziosa, departing from Southampton and sailing to several European spots including Hamburg, Amsterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre.
Passengers will have the entirety of day five, between 7am and 6pm to explore the Dutch capital – unencumbered by border delays.
HOW TO DO IT: Departs from Southampton on October 30, 2026, with prices starting from £539pp.
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