Cruise ships to be banned from Venice Lagoon
Apr 4th, 2021, 07:15 PM
#21
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The cruise lines aren't going to Venice because it has a port they're going because Venice draws people. The sort of places that a port might matter are the little known stops that fill out the schedule.
Glancing at one cruise seven stops . My guess is outside of Venice only Santorini and Mykonos are going to be well known to most of the passengers. Taking Venice off the cruise likely means the ship doesn't enter the Adriatic at all.
Glancing at one cruise seven stops . My guess is outside of Venice only Santorini and Mykonos are going to be well known to most of the passengers. Taking Venice off the cruise likely means the ship doesn't enter the Adriatic at all.
Apr 4th, 2021, 09:22 PM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sure but if they want to see Venice, go see Venice, doesn't necessarily have to be on a cruise ship.
The people who cruise more than once really love it, apparently. Maybe because it's all-inclusive? They don't have to figure out logistics?
So there must be those who would prioritize being on a cruise over going to Venice.
The people who cruise more than once really love it, apparently. Maybe because it's all-inclusive? They don't have to figure out logistics?
So there must be those who would prioritize being on a cruise over going to Venice.
Apr 4th, 2021, 10:08 PM
#23
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Many of those Med cruises are billed as being cheaper . Seven stops including lodging. Prices are starting at just over €700 for the seven days. Upgrade to €800 and you even get an open bar.
But if the cruise instead of Venice , Santorini and Mykonos was going to Corfu,Montenegro a couple of similar stops my guess even €700 would be a harder sell.
It's the magicians trick. Pretty assistant distracting the crowd. Take Venice out and the crowd is less likely to be impressed.
But if the cruise instead of Venice , Santorini and Mykonos was going to Corfu,Montenegro a couple of similar stops my guess even €700 would be a harder sell.
It's the magicians trick. Pretty assistant distracting the crowd. Take Venice out and the crowd is less likely to be impressed.
Apr 6th, 2021, 06:59 PM
#25
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree that this is a good thing for Venice. However, I have to say that when I was in Venice off a cruise ship, we spent quite a lot of money! On blown glass, souvenirs, coffee, lunch, a really nice dinner, water taxis and gondolas (who else but tourists takes a gondola?) We were on the square in a light rain when we were the only people there- ordering prosecco and listening to the orchestra!
Apr 6th, 2021, 10:53 PM
#26
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only time I’ve been to Venice was during a driving trip years ago, a summer back in the early 70s. The city was busy even then but I don’t recall seeing any cruise ships. I dread to think what Venice is like now.
Apr 7th, 2021, 12:56 PM
#27
<<The only time I’ve been to Venice was during a driving trip years ago, a summer back in the early 70s. The city was busy even then but I don’t recall seeing any cruise ships. I dread to think what Venice is like now.>>
There is another lockdown in Italy so Venice is like a ghost town. Hard to know what it will be like when this is over.
There is another lockdown in Italy so Venice is like a ghost town. Hard to know what it will be like when this is over.
Apr 22nd, 2021, 10:24 PM
#28
Oh man, so much to see in Ravenna, but I dread to see the kinds of crowds that may come with a cruise port.
May 8th, 2021, 09:46 AM
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well the thing about cruise ships being banned is a little more complicated.
There will be a couple of cruise ships still going up the Giudecca Canal this summer.
They still haven't decided on a long term plan for diverting tourist. There are enough supporters of cruise ships, because of jobs and tourism money.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/v...021/index.html
Ultimately it's the national parliament which decides. Makes it sound like local govt. and people can only make a supplication.
But how does Italian politics work, the legislators representing the city and Veneto would try to win votes from legislators of other regions? Is there the same type of tug of war over money between the provinces, since any major infrastructure work to build a new cruise ship terminal would require major funding?
There will be a couple of cruise ships still going up the Giudecca Canal this summer.
They still haven't decided on a long term plan for diverting tourist. There are enough supporters of cruise ships, because of jobs and tourism money.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/v...021/index.html
Ultimately it's the national parliament which decides. Makes it sound like local govt. and people can only make a supplication.
But how does Italian politics work, the legislators representing the city and Veneto would try to win votes from legislators of other regions? Is there the same type of tug of war over money between the provinces, since any major infrastructure work to build a new cruise ship terminal would require major funding?
May 8th, 2021, 10:09 AM
#31
<<But how does Italian politics work, the legislators representing the city and Veneto would try to win votes from legislators of other regions? Is there the same type of tug of war over money between the provinces, since any major infrastructure work to build a new cruise ship terminal would require major funding?>>
Good question. Goodness knows. I do know that locally "il sindaco" ie the Mayor of Venice is thought to care nothing about Venice as he is based on the mainland where he gets most of his votes, there being now only 50,000 residents of Venice, which is about ⅓ of the number just after WW2. I also remember last time I was there watching a long Italian programme about Venice which said amongst other things that the landing fees paid by these massive ships go not to the Venetian port authorities but to Rome so it would not be surprising if that is where the decisions are made. My suspicion is that the situation will be resolved when there is no alternative as with the Mose flood barrier - they have been messing about with it for over 20 years and finding reasons not to activate it but the huge floods of November 2019 forced their hand and it is now in use whenever acqua alta is forecast. I was surprised that it wasn't mentioned in the article because it is one of the issues that militates against the cruise ships entering the lagoon - the activation of the Mose could play havoc with their timetables.
Good question. Goodness knows. I do know that locally "il sindaco" ie the Mayor of Venice is thought to care nothing about Venice as he is based on the mainland where he gets most of his votes, there being now only 50,000 residents of Venice, which is about ⅓ of the number just after WW2. I also remember last time I was there watching a long Italian programme about Venice which said amongst other things that the landing fees paid by these massive ships go not to the Venetian port authorities but to Rome so it would not be surprising if that is where the decisions are made. My suspicion is that the situation will be resolved when there is no alternative as with the Mose flood barrier - they have been messing about with it for over 20 years and finding reasons not to activate it but the huge floods of November 2019 forced their hand and it is now in use whenever acqua alta is forecast. I was surprised that it wasn't mentioned in the article because it is one of the issues that militates against the cruise ships entering the lagoon - the activation of the Mose could play havoc with their timetables.
Jun 17th, 2021, 09:22 AM
#32
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am in complete agreement with the ban. I didn't realize how many jobs would be affected and that is devastating, but hopefully the jobs will be re-created in other places where the cruise shop dock.
Not only are the cruise ships destroying the fragile waters of Venice where they dock, but remember a cruise ship actually crashed into Venice (was that 2020 or 2019?)
I love Venice, but if we don't all work to preserve it, it will continue to disappear.
Not only are the cruise ships destroying the fragile waters of Venice where they dock, but remember a cruise ship actually crashed into Venice (was that 2020 or 2019?)
I love Venice, but if we don't all work to preserve it, it will continue to disappear.
Aug 26th, 2021, 08:18 AM
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well now Venice is implementing a tourist fee for day trippers.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/tra...-tax-entry-fee
So visiting from a nearby city or staying in say the Mestre (do a lot of people do that or are hotels much cheaper?) will incur the fee, as well as probably cruise ship passengers.
Not sure it will deter people but the capacity limits obviously will limit the numbers. I guess the fee will compensate for having reduced traffic.
Want to see if it improves the situation but really, people almost have to get vaporetto tickets which are priced pretty high already, maybe has something of a deterrent effect.
Maybe another tack would be to raise day-vaporetto tickets and maybe have hotels give guests a special card which gives them discounts on vaporetto tickets.
That way they don't have to implement turnstiles, which would probably cause a big bottleneck, unless they really impose a low number for the capacity limits.
Tourists who wish to visit Venice will have to book a ticket in advance for a fee and enter the city through electronic turnstiles, CNBC reported via Italian newspaper La Stampa.
The entry fee will change according to the season. In high season, tourists can expect to pay as much as $12 (€10) and during less popular visiting times, the price could drop to about $3.50 (€3).
Visitors may have to book early, if they plan on visiting Venice during its most popular month as the city will implement strict daily tourist capacity limits.
However, tourists who are staying in local hotels will be exempt from the entrance fee. (Overnight guests in the city already pay a nightly tax.) Residents, their relatives, and children younger than six will also be exempt.
The entry fee will change according to the season. In high season, tourists can expect to pay as much as $12 (€10) and during less popular visiting times, the price could drop to about $3.50 (€3).
Visitors may have to book early, if they plan on visiting Venice during its most popular month as the city will implement strict daily tourist capacity limits.
However, tourists who are staying in local hotels will be exempt from the entrance fee. (Overnight guests in the city already pay a nightly tax.) Residents, their relatives, and children younger than six will also be exempt.
So visiting from a nearby city or staying in say the Mestre (do a lot of people do that or are hotels much cheaper?) will incur the fee, as well as probably cruise ship passengers.
Not sure it will deter people but the capacity limits obviously will limit the numbers. I guess the fee will compensate for having reduced traffic.
Want to see if it improves the situation but really, people almost have to get vaporetto tickets which are priced pretty high already, maybe has something of a deterrent effect.
Maybe another tack would be to raise day-vaporetto tickets and maybe have hotels give guests a special card which gives them discounts on vaporetto tickets.
That way they don't have to implement turnstiles, which would probably cause a big bottleneck, unless they really impose a low number for the capacity limits.
Jul 29th, 2022, 07:33 AM
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So it's not just rising sea levels that threatens venice.
The wakes created by boats increase the erosion of buildings and walkways.
Italians call it moto ondoso.
Now a Swiss company is proposing electric hydro foil boats, which create as much wake as a hand rowed gondola.
But the catch is that the hydrofoils can only be used above certain speeds so they wouldn't work to replace vaporetti for instance.
They may be useful for trips out to the airport or to other islands, away from the lagoon and canals where slower boats operate.Read in CNN: https://apple.news/A0E4Ozd0NRUOsN3ulh9d5MA
I guess Venice is not long for this world.
The wakes created by boats increase the erosion of buildings and walkways.
Italians call it moto ondoso.
Now a Swiss company is proposing electric hydro foil boats, which create as much wake as a hand rowed gondola.
But the catch is that the hydrofoils can only be used above certain speeds so they wouldn't work to replace vaporetti for instance.
They may be useful for trips out to the airport or to other islands, away from the lagoon and canals where slower boats operate.Read in CNN: https://apple.news/A0E4Ozd0NRUOsN3ulh9d5MA
I guess Venice is not long for this world.
Jul 29th, 2022, 03:33 PM
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The city agreed to it. Probably the national govt. as well.
When each cruise ship disgorges hundreds of visitors at a time, it's a lot of money to local restaurants and shops.
In fact, earlier in the thread it talks about so many people whose jobs depend on cruise ship visitors. Many of the business owners and workers at those businesses probably are concerned about the long-term damage to the city's environment but they're more worried in the short term about keeping the businesses open and keeping those jobs, making a living to support their families.
Sep 24th, 2022, 06:15 AM
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The PBS science series Nova will have an episode about efforts to stave off rising sea levels threatening Venice.
It will air this Wednesday, the 28th.
They will cover the MOSE project as well as other efforts.
Episode is called Saving Venice but it seems you have to search for Nova and upcoming episodes in your DVR.
It will air this Wednesday, the 28th.
They will cover the MOSE project as well as other efforts.
Episode is called Saving Venice but it seems you have to search for Nova and upcoming episodes in your DVR.
Last edited by scrb11; Sep 24th, 2022 at 06:19 AM.
