Cruise ships' return to Venice reignites tensions

Environmental protesters from the "No Grandi Navi" group demonstrate aboard small boats

The MSC Orchestra cruise ship sails across the basin as it leaves Venice

Saturday saw the first cruise ship cast off from Venice after almost one and a half years' suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic, reinflaming a war of words between supporters and opponents of the massive floating hotels.

They say stopoffs by tourist cruises create jobs in a city dependent on tourism -- itself massively undermined by the pandemic.