A fundraiser to support Venice devastating flooding was organized by the Port Authorities. Pino Musolino, President of the Port of Venice sent a letter to all cruise lines calling to Venice, asking for their help and support. 

"As a public administrator in charge of managing the most important economic and employment sector in Venice area (the lagoon ports employ over 19 thousand workers, of which 4500 in the cruise sector alone) I think it is necessary to support the population that must overcome this tragedy.

It would be a message of great importance to you and to the entire cruise sector if you decide to raise funds to support our stricken city and its inhabitants. It would be a tangible sign of your ties to Venice and a concrete sign that it is possible to build a relationship of trust between the cruise industry and the Venetian community.” Reads the letter signed by Pino Musolino.

First to respond was the Italian Cruise Line, Costa Cruises announcing a donation of 100,000 euros to the Municipality of Venice for the first urgent interventions intended to support the Venetian community immediately. The company announced it is welcoming the appeal of the president of the port of Venice Pino Musolino.

"Venice is a precious gem for all of us and we feel the need to contribute to provide concrete help in the management of this emergency". Costa Cruises has announced that they are at the disposal of the government and local authorities to discuss together how to provide further support, based on the intervention priorities that the institutions will define once the extent of the damage is clearer.

Venice saw its second-worst flooding on record late Tuesday when water levels reached 1.87 meters (6 feet, 1 inch) above sea level, the highest flooding in 50 years.