With immediate effect ( well if I'm being honest from November 1st 2013) Cruise ships over 40,000 tonnes can no longer sail in the Giudecca Canal in Venice. Previously, cruise could ships pass within 300 meters of St. Mark's Square, granting a stunning view to those aboard the ship but presenting a jarring sight against the backdrop of Venice's Byzantine architecture.
Venice in the space of just over 15 years has become one of the world's most important cruise destinations, with up to nine cruise turnarounds a day in high season. The new measures limit the number of Cruise Ships berthed at one time, and restrict passage to sunrise and sunset.
Ships larger than 96,000 tons, with a capacity of 3,000 to 3,500 passengers, will be banned from Venice ( The Canal and Venice Lagoon) altogether, so bad news for pretty much the entire Royal Caribbean fleet and any other cruise line with generally larger vessels. Although this may be short term loss, at least these measures will help preserve Venice for many generations to come.
