We are on the October 18th Diamond cruise that leaves from Venice. We will be arriving into Venice on the morning of the 18th just before noon. I am hoping that we can go directly from the airport to the ship, drop off our bags and then head out to do some touring of Venice. Any suggestions on how we go about this. I am thinking that we will either take a taxi or arrange for a driver to get from the airport to the ship. I think that the ship tenders in Venice so I am not sure if we will need to actully board the ship or if we can just drop off our bags. I am wondering about how we get from the tender point into Venice - is it walkable, do we need to take a water taxi? I am hoping that someone who has been there can fill me in on the details. Thanks in advance for the help.

Land Taxi!!!

Airport to ship - regular land taxi - about 30 Euros.

Ship to town - see if they're running a shuttle otherwise water taxi - also probably about 30 Euros - way too far to walk.

The ship will most likely dock in Venice.. I didn't see any ships tendering there even river boats were docked along the port. Easy on & off.
We used Venice limousine company for transfers and they were great.
If only 2 people they use Mercedes sedan, if 4 mini van (new Mercedes or VW Eurovan)..
Their website is
http://www.venice-limousine.com/

Yes, Ngaire told me before my cruise starting in Venice that "plain Jane" land taxi's are available right from the airport and we did this with no problem. Only thing I remember is that the taxi put us off in an area where we had to schlep our luggage over to another building where it was received, and later delivered to the ship. There were no porters to help us. We then walked over to another building where we checked our bodies in. Not a problem if you are pretty fit and have luggage on wheels.

How it works depends on how where the ship is docked. I have also had a taxi right up to the ship in Venice. There are a lot of docks there but a land taxi is the way to go from the airport to the ship. Definitely not a water taxi, more expensive and more hassle. Once at the ship they will direct you to the water taxis. Really the only way to get to Venice town.

Steph:

As info., PBS will be featuring Rick Steves' Europe...Venice Sidetrips., at 7:30PM EST, Wed., June 9.

Also showing on Wed., June 30 at 7:30pm EST will be Rick Steves' Europe...Cinque Terre: Italy's Hidden Riviera.

Cheers! Ray

Thanks for all the advice. I will be sure to catch the Rick Steve's programs. We visited Cinque Terre a few years ago - it really is a beautiful area. One last question - will our documents tell us where the ship is to be docked or is it a small enough area that a local taxi driver would know where to take us?

Ray,
The Rick Steves programs depend on your local PBS schedule. It isn't on ours in Phoenix those days.

Your documents have a sheet in them with the pier information. Just give that to the taxi driver and you should have no problems. Keep it out and handy.

Agree. Take the land taxi to the port. You will go through an entry gate where they will examine your docs then grab your bags. (Always tip well at this point..)
Grab the nearest taxi or whatever and give yourself as much time as possible to enjoy Venice. Not the time to cut back. Venice + $$$. Understand and you will have a great time. (If you plan to be in Venice for 2-3 days please email me and I will give you some hotel etc reccommendations etc.)M
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