SIMIC

"We are here because we are against this passage but also against a model of tourism that is destroying the city, pushing out residents, destroying the planet, the cities, and polluting," said Marta Sottoriva, a 29-year old teacher and Venice resident.

Hundreds of people rallied on land and small boats fluttering flags saying "No big ships" surrounded and followed the 92,000-tonne MSC Orchestra as it departed.

But port authorities, workers and the city government welcomed the Orchestra seeing it as a symbol of business kicking off after the health crisis that hit hard at the cruise industry and the wider travel sector.