Venice – the last chance for a memorable sail away

Venice, probably one of the most iconic cities in the world. Famed as a romantic city with magnificent buildings and beautiful architecture, oozing history and all on water.

If you have never been to Venice, it is an ideal destination for a weekend break, you can soak in the history of the famous landmarks, take a gondola ride along the many canals and sample the fantastic food whilst watching the world go by…. mmmm…. take me back.

I was lucky to visit Venice my first time last year for a weekend break and had a great time walking around this very special island joined by the arch bridges across the canals. Experiencing the Grand Canal on a Gondola whilst being serenaded by an Italian, all very cheesy but when in Venice.. I also got to experience the sighting of several cruise ships leaving Venice, passing through the Giudecca Canal towards the Adriatic Sea.  Everyone on shore stood, watched and waved as these magnificent cruise ships passed us by and all on board waving back as they took in the fabulous sights of Venice passing them by. Cruise ships currently pass within 1,000 feet of Venice’s iconic St. Mark’s Square, giving passengers spectacular views of some of the city’s beloved Byzantine architecture.

6 months later I got to experience that sailaway and to this day still think it is possibly one of the best sailaways I have ever encountered, I really do not know if anything can top the beautiful sight of sailing so close to the city of Venice.  I’m hoping to do it again in November! You can see my photos and read my experience here http://www.cruise.co.uk/cruise-blogs/dawnonacruise/2014/05/02/the-fabulous-ventura-part-1-venice-at-sea/

However, as enchanting as it is to sail away into the sunset with the beautiful backdrop of Venice in all her glory, you will not be able to do this after 2015.

Yet again the courts have ruled that ships over a certain tonnage are no longer allowed to pass through the Giudecca Canal as this is just too close to the delicate frame of Venice. Having read various news articles on this topic, I am in agreement with this ruling as cruise ships are getting bigger and bigger and are overshadowing the city as they pass through. Not only is it the environmental damage that is an issue but the size of the ships and the safety of not only the city but those on board, in case the ship ever was to run aground. When you look at the following images, you can sort of understand why the Italians have made a stand against the cruise liners.

In a recent article in the press, plans was laid out for alternative route so that Venice could still benefit from the many thousands of cruise passengers that ascend on Venice each year,

The following is  from a press document – The Telegraph 09th August 2014

Several ministers including transport minister Maurizio Lupi approved the new guidelines at a meeting with port officials and regional political leaders in Rome on Friday.

“It seems to me to be a balanced solution which takes account of our duty to remove the skyscrapers of the sea from the canals of Venice, while safeguarding a world heritage city that is the envy of the world and protecting the city’s economy which is so linked to cruise tourism,” said Lupi.

The government also proposed the excavation of the Contorta-Sant’Angelo canal as an alternative route in Venice and ordered an environmental report on its potential impact to be completed within 90 days.

Proposed new route for large cruise liners:

Marghera commercial port and Marittima passenger port

Yellow line – commercial shipping route
Blue line – current passenger shipping route
Dotted line – proposed new route Contorta-Sant’Angelo Canal

But the opposition group “No Big Ships” has already condemned it as the worst choice and insisted that big cruise ships must be kept out of the lagoon altogether.

So the future of cruise ships to visit Venice is in doubt, all we know is that after 2015 you will not be able to cruise past the magnificent sights of Venice again.

Thankfully, the cruise itineraries for 2014/2015 still give you ample choice of ship, duration and destinations to choose from so that if you haven’t yet, you too can experience the most memorable sailaway ever…. call me now on 0800 408 6055 to book your lasting memory.

Dawn

x