The shift of huge cruise ships from the waters surrounding Venice’s fragile islands is not without cost, as the Italian government has set aside nearly €60 million to compensate cruise lines and Venice’s own shipping terminal company.
The new rules, which took effect in August, ban the large cruise ships from their previous anchorage at the edge of the city proper and from passing through the canals within the city. Eventually, they will have a new berthing area on the mainland portion of the city, although some cruise lines have opted for cities such as Ravenna, and connecting to Venice by rail or bus.
€30 million is earmarked for cruise lines to make up for “rescheduling routes and refunding passengers who cancelled trips.” The remaining €27.5 million will go to the terminal operator and related companies, with about 20% to be paid out this year and the balance in 2022.
