Ban is lifted on large ships in Venice

It seems the Italian coast guard has lifted the ban on large cruise ships to cruise from the Grand Canal in Venice.

This is great news for the cruise industry as most ships would have been banned under this new law which currently bans any ship over 96,000 tons

The ban was originally imposed as locals became angered by cruise lines sailing so close to shore and concerns about environmental issues but the Venice cruise passenger terminal has fought the decision and it has now been over turned.

It will make little difference this year but I am sure cruise lines will be planning to send their bigger more modern ships back there for 2016 as Venice is always a port of call in high demand. Many cruise lines now include an overnight stay in port on board ship to maximise your time spent there which has also been hugely popular.

Personally I am really pleased because I have never been to Venice and it has been very much on my wish list for some time now. I have always wanted to cruise the Grand Canal but thought I had missed the boat ( excuse the pun ) so now it looks like I will be able to fulfil my wish after all.