We just got back from a two-week cruise that left from the port of Trieste, but before our cruise we spent three nights in Venice. I highly recommend staying in the Piazzale Roma area in a hotel or airbnb. It is the transportation hub. We easily arrived there by cab from the airport and then got a porter located in the square to take our luggage to our apartment as we had so much luggage. From the Piazzale Roma, not only can you catch the ferries everywhere, but you can sign up online to take the inexpensive hop on hop off boat which departs from there. There are nice walks to take from the Piazzale Roma and great restaurants and grocery stores. The large hop on hop off boat took us to the major tourist points of Venice and also to the Island of Murano and other islands. On our day of departure, we easily got a porter to take our luggage to the People Mover in the Piazzale Roma. We took that train to the second stop and got off at Tronchetto. When we went down the elevator, the buses were waiting for us to take us to our cruise ship in Trieste. You do have to make a reservation with your cruise line and our Holland America bus left at 11:00 AM. When we reached the Port of Trieste we were able to hire a porter to take our luggage to the ship. If you stay at a hotel in Venice sponsored by the cruise line, they will transfer your luggage ahead to the bus for you and then you can take a water taxi from your hotel. Plan to stay at least three nights in Venice. On your first day of arrival you will need to just sleep to recover from jet lag. Walking around Venice is very difficult due to having to climb up and down stairs over the many canals, so it is best to go places by boat.
