News that major changes are to come into force for cruise ships sailing in and out of Venice from next year has left big question marks over how the developments will affect cruise holidays
The number of cruise ships exceeding 40,000 tonnes and sailing in the Giudecca
Canal – for those classic Venice-at-your-feet views – will be reduced by 20
per cent from January 2014, while those exceeding 96,000 tonnes will be
banned entirely from crossing the canal from November 2014, Italian media
reported this week.
Individual lines have been reluctant to comment on how itineraries beyond 2014
will be impacted, with most deferring to the global cruise-industry body
Cruise Lines International Association. CLIA has said: “With regards to
individual cruise-line itineraries and how individual cruise lines might be
affected, we can’t comment.”
The body has issued a blanket statement that leaves passengers none the wiser
about itineraries and fails to address the logistical implications for
larger ships affected by the outright ban. “CLIA sees the outcome as a
positive and ongoing commitment… to finding a sustainable and long-term
solution for the city. This goal is shared by the cruise industry.” It added
that it expects its “mutually beneficial” long-term relationship, in
reference to the sizeable contribution made by cruising to the city’s
economy, to continue.
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 tonnes 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.
And 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, or visit the city,” 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 (at 225,282 tonnes), said its 2014 itineraries won’t be affected. Celebrity Cruises has 26 sailings next year that include a port call in Venice and said it is “reviewing deployments for 2013 and 2014 to ensure they comply with new regulations.” 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 for our 2013 and 2014 itineraries.”
How it will do so is unclear but the fact remains that, for many, the spectacular sail in and out of Venice is the raison d’etre for choosing it as a cruise destination, regardless of environmental concerns. Ms Archer added: “Being able to leave the ship with ease and stroll to the heart of the city is a major draw. Not being able to do so will be a huge disappointment for many and might be reason enough for the less-mobile not to choose a Venice cruise. The thought of having to join 3,000-plus people being bussed into Venice [from another port] could also be a major deterrent.”
Ships that visit Venice (but are not based there) and are unaffected by tonnage restriction include Saga, Silversea, Seabourn, SeaDream, Azamara, Oceania and Voyages to Antiquity. Carl Caterall from Saga Holidays said: “Our largest ship, Saga Sapphire, is 37,301 tonnes and as such is unaffected, even with the reduced capacity for ships of 40,000 tonnes or more. 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.
Matteo Secchi, spokesperson for Venessia.com, a local group that strives to preserve the fabric of Venice, said: “It’s not the best solution but at least we will no longer see the big ships passing by the St Mark’s Square basin.”
This is not the first time curbs on cruise traffic have been enforced. David Selby, managing director of cruise consultancy Travelyields, highlighted a similar example in the Norwegian fjords where there is an upper limit on the number of passengers allowed per day.
The ban could also lead to additional revenue opportunities for cruise lines. “This is actually a good move for the cruise lines,” added Mr Selby. “If they have to dock outside Venice, they will sell more tours. It is a marque port – the cruise lines will continue to call and passengers will still be able to see the famous landmarks.
“Americans who want to see Venice will still come, even if they don’t get to enjoy the sail through the city, but Europeans may be less interested in it as a port of call.”
Ships in excess of 96,000 tonnes
MSC Preziosa
MSC Fantasia
Costa Magica
Costa Fascinosa
Celebrity Equinox
Celebrity Silhouette
Regal Princess
P&O Ventura
“Many people will have booked 2014 cruises that either sail from or into Venice, or visit the city,” 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 (at 225,282 tonnes), said its 2014 itineraries won’t be affected. Celebrity Cruises has 26 sailings next year that include a port call in Venice and said it is “reviewing deployments for 2013 and 2014 to ensure they comply with new regulations.” 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 for our 2013 and 2014 itineraries.”
How it will do so is unclear but the fact remains that, for many, the spectacular sail in and out of Venice is the raison d’etre for choosing it as a cruise destination, regardless of environmental concerns. Ms Archer added: “Being able to leave the ship with ease and stroll to the heart of the city is a major draw. Not being able to do so will be a huge disappointment for many and might be reason enough for the less-mobile not to choose a Venice cruise. The thought of having to join 3,000-plus people being bussed into Venice [from another port] could also be a major deterrent.”
Ships that visit Venice (but are not based there) and are unaffected by tonnage restriction include Saga, Silversea, Seabourn, SeaDream, Azamara, Oceania and Voyages to Antiquity. Carl Caterall from Saga Holidays said: “Our largest ship, Saga Sapphire, is 37,301 tonnes and as such is unaffected, even with the reduced capacity for ships of 40,000 tonnes or more. 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.
Matteo Secchi, spokesperson for Venessia.com, a local group that strives to preserve the fabric of Venice, said: “It’s not the best solution but at least we will no longer see the big ships passing by the St Mark’s Square basin.”
This is not the first time curbs on cruise traffic have been enforced. David Selby, managing director of cruise consultancy Travelyields, highlighted a similar example in the Norwegian fjords where there is an upper limit on the number of passengers allowed per day.
The ban could also lead to additional revenue opportunities for cruise lines. “This is actually a good move for the cruise lines,” added Mr Selby. “If they have to dock outside Venice, they will sell more tours. It is a marque port – the cruise lines will continue to call and passengers will still be able to see the famous landmarks.
“Americans who want to see Venice will still come, even if they don’t get to enjoy the sail through the city, but Europeans may be less interested in it as a port of call.”
Ships in excess of 96,000 tonnes
MSC Preziosa
MSC Fantasia
Costa Magica
Costa Fascinosa
Celebrity Equinox
Celebrity Silhouette
Regal Princess
P&O Ventura
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