Protesters take action in Venice
The Venice locals have had enough of us cruisers taking over their beloved city and are fighting back armed with inflatables and clad in wetsuits they took to the water to protest against the cruise ships docking in Venice. 50 protestors along with supporters managed to hold up the cruise ships by up to an hour as they paddled in the Canal. The protest was timed to coincide with very busy day seeing 12 cruise ships due to head past St Mark’s Square – well above the daily average of 12. People are fighting against the ever increasing traffic into Venice believing that this is having a major effect on the city and deteriation of the buildings with one Carnival ship coming within 20 meters of the shore.
But Italy’s environment minister, Andrea Orlando, has said that in general the issue is cause for concern. “As much as there may be a high level of professionalism in the controls and in the management of the traffic, there is always a margin of risk,” he told La Stampa newspaper last week. Convinced that something needs to change, he has invited the various parties to present their suggested solutions to the government.
I first went to visit Venice about 15 years ago and then recently returned again last year on a Crystal cruise and I must admit I was very shocked about the difference I saw. The amount of people in St Mark’s Square was unbelievable and it was so packed you had to peer above the crowds to take in the scenery and it made it very tricky to see the square in all its glory. There were three ships in on the day that we arrived and this obviously has a big impact on moving around Venice and fully appreciating it. While it is great for the Tourist industry when cruisers pile off and head to their shops and cafes I feel it can take away seeing the city in its natural beauty.
Ideally the protestors want an alternative route to be found and ships docking in a mainland port. Venice is fighting back and the big ships might find that the welcome mat in no longer out for them or their passengers.
About Me
I have been working in the Travel Industry for 16 years and originally started out in Business travel. After doing this for a while I was given an opportunity to move into the cruising industry and haven't looked back since. I thoroughly enjoy my job and can't think of anything…
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