Protests staged in Venice as cruise ships restart operations from city

The MSC Orchestra cruise ship exits the lagoon as it leaves Venice (Antonio Calanni/AP)

The first cruise ship since the pandemic began has made its way through the heart of Venice, escorted by triumphant water-spouting tugboats and elated port workers.

However, hundreds of people staged protests on land and in a small armada of wooden boats waving “no big boats” flags as the cruise ship travelled down the Giudecca Canal.