No more sailing into Venice past St Marks.

[homeinboca]

One of the great joys of this past summers Royal Princess cruise in Europe was sailing into Venice past St Marks Square. Alas, this will no longer be. It seems the Italian government has approved a plan to divert the ships away from St Marks by building a new channel and the ships will arrive directly to the port.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/italy-divert-cruise-ships-historic-venice-192139600.html

 

I'm glad we got to experience this.

 

Ron

[caribill]

"The Venice Port estimates the project will take two years to complete.

In the meantime, smaller ferries will be banned from passing through Venice and cruise ship traffic will be reduced by 20 percent, beginning in January. Last year, 645 ships arrived in Venice."

 

Not sure how they will reduce cruise ship traffic before the new canal is built.

[Ethel5]

"The Venice Port estimates the project will take two years to complete.

In the meantime, smaller ferries will be banned from passing through Venice and cruise ship traffic will be reduced by 20 percent, beginning in January. Last year, 645 ships arrived in Venice."

 

Not sure how they will reduce cruise ship traffic before the new canal is built.

 

I think there were plans to make big ships go on the outside - Giudecca Canal? Maybe that's how they'll reduce traffic 20%

[CCFC]

Always shooting themselves in the foot the Italians, they are broke and now do this. Madness in my opinion.

[Dorset Cruiser]

Always shooting themselves in the foot the Italians, they are broke and now do this. Madness in my opinion.

 

Think they are trying to save Venice for future generations!

[Pushka]

I'm disappointed but can understand.

[Woobstr112G]

I'm glad I was able to experience it at the start of four great T/A's. I do understand it was something necessary to maintain the wonders of Venice.....:):):)

 

Bob

[mskaufman]

Glad I went this year!

[Cruise Junky]

Wow the ban as of November 2014 is huge for the big ships. No more Grand Med. for Royal or Regal. Rules out the Solstice Class ships too.

[icat2000]

Think they are trying to save Venice for future generations!

 

Which is far more important than cruising down the Grand Canal.

[Kartgv]

This may breathe a little extra life into the smaller ships. The Ocean Princess, at 30,000 tons, would have no restrictions. We'll be going into Venice on her in Sept. 2014. She won't be doing Venice on any regular basis, as she goes all over the world, but we might see her or some other smaller ships change their routes in the future.

[caribill]

WIth the new channel taking two years to complete (at best), how can they have the big ships go a different route before then?

Edited November 6, 2013 by caribill

[luvcdays]

Good for them!!

[caribill]

More info from ABC news

 

A committee of citizens opposed to the cruise ship traffic in Venice called the ship diversion "a first victory for our movement," but said it will now concentrate its campaign on the environmental impact of the new canal, calling that project "devastating."

 

As of Nov. 1, 2014, ships larger than 96,000 tons, with a capacity of 3,000 to 3,500 passengers, will be banned from Venice.

 

Venice in the space of just over 15 years has become one of the world's most important cruise destinations, with up to nine cruise turnarounds a day in high season. The new measures would limit to five the number of cruise ships berthed at one time, and restrict passage to sunrise and sunset.

[Ethel5]

More info from ABC news

 

A committee of citizens opposed to the cruise ship traffic in Venice called the ship diversion "a first victory for our movement," but said it will now concentrate its campaign on the environmental impact of the new canal, calling that project "devastating." ........................SNIP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

I was told by a native two years ago that Elton John bought a house right on the Grand Canal. It's a 2-3 story yellow house right on the water. Apparently, he doesn't like the big ships on the Canal and was "fighting" them. I wonder if he is on the "committee of citizens."

[aquilegia]

I think there were plans to make big ships go on the outside - Giudecca Canal? Maybe that's how they'll reduce traffic 20%

 

The Giudecca Canal is the route the ships take now.

[English Tim]

There's still plenty of time to visit Venice before the new rules come onto place.

[Cruise Junky]

There's still plenty of time to visit Venice before the new rules come onto place.

 

Only next year if you want a new ship. No more grand med from Venice for a lot of new builds. The old smaller ships will have to take over

[Dorset Cruiser]

Which is far more important than cruising down the Grand Canal.

 

Exactly :)

[aquilegia]

Which is far more important than cruising down the Grand Canal.

 

Cruise ships have never cruised down the Grand Canal.

[Loonbeam]

The key point of the note above is that the PORT will be limited to 5 ships a day. This means more competition for available slots and less med runs to Venice overall. In short, less ships will go to Venice and we will probably see some changes to 2014-2015 itineraries.

 

That said, this is a real issue. I know people in Venice and the wave disruption caused by large displacement vessels even at very slow speeds is causing serious damage to the structure of the channel. The critical need is to slow the damage. Once the new route is in operation, they can look at ways to reinforce the original channel and possibly reopen it in the future.

[kruisey]

This is an ancient City which has to be preserved for future generations.

One can always use a local tour boat to see the beautiful seascape which will not disturb the frail structures that have been in place for centuries.:)

[capriccio]

The Giudecca Canal is the route the ships take now.

 

Thank you for noting that -- there is no way a cruise ship would make it down the Grand Canal (too narrow, curving and lots of very, very low pedestrian bridges) as anyone who has been to Venice would/should know.:D

[Ethel5]

The Giudecca Canal is the route the ships take now.

 

Thank you for noting that -- there is no way a cruise ship would make it down the Grand Canal (too narrow, curving and lots of very, very low pedestrian bridges) as anyone who has been to Venice would/should know.:D

 

Thank you for noting the correct canal. After a while the cruises just blur together! We did enjoy watching the Ruby sail by when we stayed at the Molino Stuckey.

[JanaJohn]

The key point of the note above is that the PORT will be limited to 5 ships a day.

 

With only 5 ships in port a day will that mean the end of the ships doing an overnight in port? Will they now get in and out on the same day so that more ships can visit?