Are Cruise Ships Still Allowed In Venice?

The Italian government announced in 2021 that all cruise ships, except small boutique ships and river vessels, were being banned from central Venice, including the existing cruise port. However, their absence since has been credited with improving water quality in the lagoons. Mainstream ocean cruise lines, such as Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and MSC, have ships that call on Venice, and as of 2020, ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Cruise ships currently dock in the city center.

The Italian government issued a decree banning large cruise ships from the center of Venice from August 1, but the ships will remain in the lagoon for passengers who want to visit Venice. Protesters argue that other cruise ships could be permanently diverted to ports at Genoa or Trieste.

In 2021, large ships were barred from entering Venice, but the ban is yet to be enforced. By next year, the largest of the cruise ships, up to 13 of all cruise ships entering the Venice lagoon, will be redirected to other terminals. The story made waves around the world: cruise ships banned from Venice. On March 31, the Italian government issued a decree that would see no cruises allowed in Venice. The dockdepart from Marghera Trieste, Chioggia, and Ravenna. Cruise companies often are not too transparent, and Italy barred huge ships from using the Giudecca canal to enter Venice’s historic center in July 2021.