I loved Venice when I first visited, almost two decades ago. I lived there for a few months. Went back again just for a week a little while later, around 2005. Sounds like tourism has gotten way bigger even just since then. I don't think the giant cruise ships started coming in until later in the 00s. (There were small ships, but I remember reading about some change in that decade that started allowing the gigantic ones. The city later tried to ban them but has not been successful.)

I always wanted to go back, but I wonder if it's worth it or if I should just remember when I was there originally.