Italy Bans Cruise Ships from Venice Lagoon

The Italian government announced the ban late on Tuesday, July 13, calling it "an important step for the safeguarding of the Venetian lagoon." Instead of sailing past St Mark's Square, and up the narrow Giudecca Canal, docking in the city-centre port, from August onwards, all cruise ships weighing more than 25,000 tonnes will dock at the industrial port of Marghera. The government said that a maximum of five berths will be created at Marghera, at a cost of €157 million/$185 million.