Swimmers Block Ships in Venice

[cruise planner]

Check out the story here;

Protesters dive into Venice's canal to block cruise ships - Telegraph

Pete

[Donna]

I would think, with little or no damage to the canals, they would welcome the extra tourist dollars to their local economy???

[cruise planner]

Yep, sort of like the old express about they want their cake and eat it, too.

I can understand their concerns about pollution, but it's not a huge problem because there are prevailing winds most of the time. And the ships move slowly through Venice, so they do not produce huge waves as some have stipulated.

I do understand the dilemma - it's basically that they've become too popular. Plus, there's also not any ports around to accommodate cruise ships with good transportation.

Sometimes I think the cruise lines need to do something to prove a point.

I remember many many years ago when the locals around Norfolk were complaining about all the sailors and how they wish they weren't there. This was back when the military would stand in line and get some (or all) of their pay in cash. (Shows how old I am, huh?) The Navy decided to prove a point about how much of an influence on the local economy that the sailors had, so they paid everyone in $2 bills. The entire town was flooded with $2 bills within a week, thus proving the point. The local townsfolk realized what a huge impact the sailors had and never complained about them again.

Perhaps the cruise lines could all get together and stop going there for a month - wouldn't take long before they all realized the impact cruise passengers have on the economy. The locals may not like them, but I'll bet they'll welcome them back in a hurry.

Pete

[Donna]

Pete,
Great idea, also sounds like the issues up in Alaska a few years ago, some locals complaining about the cruise ships, while others depend on the dollars they make because of the cruise ship industry in Alaska....Kind of a catch 22 again....hum??

[Manuel]

Originally Posted by cruise planner

Perhaps the cruise lines could all get together and stop going there for a month - wouldn't take long before they all realized the impact cruise passengers have on the economy. The locals may not like them, but I'll bet they'll welcome them back in a hurry.

Pete

I don't think that they would be missed. Venice has plenty of tourists and what really helps their economy are the people who stay in a hotel for a couple of days or more.
The cruisers mostly come ashore and look around and don't spend all that much.

TM

[cruise planner]

Yeah, but alot of cruise passengers will get there a day or two before the cruise, or stay a day or two after the cruise. So it would still impact their economy, big time. I know when we were there, we went a couple of days before and stayed in a B&B we absolutely loved! I talked to the owners and they said they get alot of people staying before or after their cruise.

Irregardless, Venice is a wonderful place to visit. The history, the buildings, the entire area is something special. We've been there 3 times and I would hate to see it suffer one way or the other. But the people are great, the food is very good, and the entire island is something you want to see at least once in your life, that's for sure!

Pete

[Manuel]

I have visited Venice as well and it is one of my favorite places in Italy.
However even the Mayor of the city recently said that they have too many tourists.
Their economy will be OK with or without cruiseships.

TM

[Snoozeman]

[green_rd]

I will admit that Venice sail away was massively cool, and we loved our pre-cruise time there. However, maybe the alternate port would not be such a bad thing for preserving a delicate city for future generations.