Cruise fans on the West Coast are about to have a major new option.
09.02.2024 - 19:29 / travelandleisure.com / Royal Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Line is saying arrivederci to Venice, cutting the canal city from its cruise itineraries in 2024 and 2025.
The cruise line confirmed to Travel + Leisure it will no longer include stops in Venice as part of its plans years after the city declared its waterways a “national monument” and banned large cruise ships. Since then, Norwegian said it has been ferrying visitors to the famed city by tender, but it was no longer a viable option.
“Due to the restrictions on large cruise ships to sail into the Venice Lagoon and dock at the usual piers, large cruise ships calling to Venice are required to anchor outside of the lagoon and utilize tender boats to access the Port of Venice,” a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson told T+L. “While we have made every effort possible to maintain these calls to Venice, the tender operation and overall experience this provides our guests has fallen short of the standard we aim to deliver.”
Going forward, Norwegian will modify its 2024 itineraries that previously included Venice, replacing it with port visits to either Ravenna, Italy; Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia; or Koper, Slovenia. In 2025, the cruise line will replace stops in Venice with either a sea day or another port, depending on availability.
“We recognize that Venice is one of the world’s greatest destinations, cherished by both our guests and crew, and as such acknowledge the inconvenience and frustration this disruption may cause,” the spokesperson added. “We appreciate the understanding of our loyal guests and travel agent partners.”
Major cruise lines have utilized different options to get guests to Venice. MSC Cruises, for example, stops in Marghera, which sits just across the water from the city. Others, like Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, stop in Trieste, which sits on the border near Slovenia. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises both stop in Ravenna, about a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Venice.
Venice has been making efforts to limit over-tourism for years. The city, which has received multiple reprieves from being included on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites in danger, also plans to implement a tourist fee for day visitors this spring and aims to limit the size of tour groups allowed this coming summer.
Cruise fans on the West Coast are about to have a major new option.
Calling 2023 a landmark year for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, CEO Harry Sommer said the company had its first full-year profit since 2019.
Although Norwegian Cruise Line has cut trips to the Middle East this year due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the company is seeing strong demand for trips to other regions — in particular, the Caribbean.
Solo travellers can set sail on an array of solo-friendly cruise lines to mingle at sea or enjoy solace aboard a swanky ship.
Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages offer completely different experiences. And I've cruised with both.
River cruise line American Queen Voyages has shut down, canceling all future cruises and instructing future guests to apply for refunds.
One of America's most beloved cruise operators, American Queen Voyages, has shut down.
One look at Norwegian Cruise Line's older and newer vessels will make you realize just how much bigger, bolder, and more irresistible cruise ships are becoming.
Global travel retailer Gebr. Heinemann made an important acquisition at the end of January at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, named after Israel’s first prime minister. The Hamburg-based company bought the shares of James Richardson in the duty-free joint venture retail business JR/Duty Free, which was established in 2017.
The Bahamas plans to charge cruise lines 10% on goods and services provided on the their private islands, according to reports.
A top cruise line has cut the iconic city of Venice from its itineraries in 2024 and 2025 as the Italian destination continues to clamp down on visitors.
Carnival Cruise Line has signed a deal with leading German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build its fourth Excel class cruise ship, set to launch in spring 2027.