Virgin Voyages is advising guests of delayed disembarkation processes in Spain due to a recent change to EU border controls

Virgin said that “things are not working smoothly for cruise lines’ entry into Spain” due to a new digital border control system called the Entry/Exit System (EES), which has been live since April 10, 2026.

“In short, every non-European traveller entering or leaving Europe now has to undergo a quick biometric check, including a facial scan and fingerprinting, instead of getting a passport stamp,” the company explained in a statement sent to guests aboard the Valiant Lady.

“It’s a new way out of Europe, full stop. Every cruise line, every airport, every border. We’re all in this together,” Virgin continued.

The company said that the entire port of Barcelona was allocated eight new scan machines, despite it being one of the busiest cruise terminals in the world.

“We’ve been in contact with other cruise lines, and the first ships this week are seeing waits to disembark of 2-3 hours during peak hours,” Virgin added in its statement, which was issued in late April.

“We don’t like that either, so we’ve asked the local authorities for more kiosks. We have offered to pay for the infrastructure ourselves,” the company continued.

Virgin added that while the answer so far was no, “it is not giving up,” adding that it has adjusted its disembarkation process “to make it as painless as possible.”

As part of its summer season in Europe, the company is currently operating the Valiant Lady out of Barcelona for itineraries to the Western Mediterranean.

Through late July, the 2,770-passenger ship offers cruises to a series of destinations in France and Italy, in addition to other ports in Spain.