earliest disembarkation on GEM in Venice ???

[cruiselovers21]

Hello!

Did anyone do the GEM from Venice and remembers the earlierst possible time to disembark ?? The brochure says 8:00 am, but mostly its much earlier.

Our flight leaves at 9.15 from VCE. with online check in, we could make it...

just wondering if anyone knows...

 

thanks

[ojjyb]

Off the Gem last weekend. We docked around 7.30am, however the first call off the ship wasn't until 8am. I don't think you'll get off the ship much before 8am.

 

It takes about 15 mins to actually get off the ship (quite a walk) to the luggage area, then you'll need to find a cab. It will then take around 20 to 30 mins to get to airport so personally I think you'll be cutting it a bit fine but GOOD LUCK!

[sunshine nana]

The first people got off before 8 am pulling their own luggage. That is the way to go. Do not put your luggage out the night before. Pull it off yourself if you can carry it down a few steps, you'll be out and getting in a taxi before others are allowed to leave the ship.We were told we could not take our own luggage off and then we sat on our aft balcony and watched many people do it.

[hamrag]

We did this 9th October. Ship docks 7.30am, clears customs by 7.45am and then first passengers, pulling own luggage are called. Brisk 10 minute walk ship to cruise terminal. It is laready 8.00am at best. Jostle with another couple of hundred people from Gem, MSC Magnifica, Costa Victoria and a Royal Caribbean ship. Bear in mind most of the MSC & Costa passengers are Italian, and know how to hail a taxi in the local language! With a fair wind, your luggage is in taxi and leaving by 8.15 for the 15-20 minute (fast) ride. At best it is now 8.30 and probably at least 8.45.

 

You have already checked in on-line, as we did, but does not count....the only boarding pass that gets you on the plane is the airport one.....you need to queue to check-in luggage. Then you need to negotiate security & passport control, on a good day 15 minutes. The airport is extremely busy, and handling of people/luggage is highly inefficient.

 

You need to change for a flight no earlier than 10.30. No argument, the current arrangement is highly flawed. Sorry, but better to know at this stage. Remember NCL state 8.00am arrival Venice, and anything earlier is a bonus especially at this time of year when weather can be changeable!

[teddytubby]

We were on same cruise & I agree with everything Hamrag has stated.

 

Hopefully it will work out for you but you will need plenty of luck on your side to catch your flight.

 

Ted

[Cowdengelly]

Dont even think about it unless you have already booked a bed in the nearest coronary unit.

 

Marco Polo airport is a nightmare on a cruise morning.

[cruiselovers21]

Ok .... Thank you!!! I changed the flight to the next day... so we stay a extra night in Venice! Thanks everyone!

[cruiselovers21]

Ok .... Thank you!!! I changed the flight to the next day... so we stay a extra night in Venice! Thanks everyone!

[hamrag]

Ok .... Thank you!!! I changed the flight to the next day... so we stay a extra night in Venice! Thanks everyone!

 

Now that is a result....enjoy that day in Venice!

[hamrag]

Ok .... Thank you!!! I changed the flight to the next day... so we stay a extra night in Venice! Thanks everyone!

 

Now that is a result....enjoy that day in Venice!

[odblnt]

cruiselovers21,

 

Are you on the Greek Islands cruise next week?

 

If so, our rollcall is here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=919312

 

While our coordinator is already on board with name tags, we're a friendly bunch and always welcome one (or two) more. A lot of our folks are going to stay on board for the Trans-Atlantic so we're not worried about that flight out of VCE.

 

Pete