Venice’s sinking ships
A new ban on big liners from next year has left passengers unclear on how they’ll see the city, writes Teresa Machan
MAJOR changes coming into force for cruise ships in Venice from next year have left big question marks over how the developments will affect cruise holidays.
The number of cruise ships exceeding 40 000 tons and sailing in the Giudecca Canal will be reduced by 20% from January 2014, while those exceeding 96 000 tons will be banned entirely from November 2014, Italian media reported.
Individual lines have been reluctant to comment on how itineraries beyond 2014 will be affected, with most deferring to the global cruise-industry body Cruise Lines International Association.
CLIA said it saw the measure as part of “a positive and ongoing commitment… to finding a sustainable and long-term solution for the city”, a goal shared by the cruise industry. It said it expected its “mutually beneficial” relationship to continue, a reference to the contribution made by cruising to the city’s economy.
Neither CLIA nor the cruise lines have been able to shed any light on how the percentage cut, which comes into force in January, preventing one-fifth of all cruise ships over 40 000 tons from entering the Venice lagoon, will be decided.
With a limited time frame in which to find alternative docking arrangements, it is fair to assume that some itineraries will be affected. Furthermore, some passengers booked to sail on one of the larger ships from November next year will not be sailing into the heart of Venice at all.
“Many people will have booked 2014 cruises that either sail from or into Venice,” said Jane Archer, Telegraph Travel’s cruise expert. “They must be wondering if their ship will be one of those no longer permitted to cruise there from January, and whether they will get the cruise they have paid for.”
Royal Caribbean International, which operates two of the world’s largest passenger ships, said its 2014 itineraries wouldn’t be affected.
Celebrity Cruises has 26 sailings next year that include a port call in Venice. It said it was “reviewing deployments for 2013 and 2014”. It added: “We recognise that visiting Venice during a cruise is a highlight of our guests’ holiday and we expect to continue with our scheduled port calls to Venice in 2013 and 2014.”
Ships unaffected by the tonnage restriction include Saga, Silversea, Seabourn, SeaDream, Azamara, Oceania and Voyages to Antiquity.
Carl Catterall from Saga Holidays said: “As [this policy] frees up Venice for smaller, more personable ships, we see it as a good thing for both visitors to and residents of the city.” — ©