Venice - Airport to/from a pre-cruise hotel to ship

[SandyR5]

Hi - We'll be starting our Med cruise in Venice. We want to come to Venice a day or two before the cruise. We will be booking air on our own. For those of you who have "been there/done that", how did you get to the hotel from the airport and from the hotel to the ship? Would you recommend the hotel you stayed at? How much are water taxis....if that's how you traveled? Thanks so much.

[kitty9]

If your pre-cruise hotel is near the Grand Canal, then you have to take a water taxi. If the hotel is near the airport, then a regular taxi is needed. Again, how you get to the ship depends on which hotel you stay at. Some will require a water taxi and others you can use a motorized taxi.

[Chick's pal]

There is also an express water bus that goes from airport to Piazza San Marco, with a stop at Burano. When we did this trip 3 years ago it was about 10 Euro per person. It's a 45-minute trip via water. Buy your tickets at the airport, they'll direct you to a (land) shuttle bus that takes you to the dock. Personnel on board were very helpful with getting luggage on and off the boat.

 

We stayed at Best Western Albergo San Marco, which was an adequate place. Of course the room was closet-sized, but it sufficed for one overnight and was just a few steps from Piazza San Marco. You can find it on the Best Western website. Remember, it's a safe, clean, reasonably-priced place in a superior location---not a luxury hotel.

 

At that time, Celebrity had a free shuttle boat between Piazza San Marco and the ship. I don't know if they offer that anymore. The dock for that boat was near the public garden just off the Piazza. If they do offer this, don't wait until the last shuttle to get to the ship, as everyone seems to do so, causing alot of lines and crowding.

 

You really should be checking the Europe boards for a ton of info on your trip.

 

HAVE FUN!

[SandyR5]

Thank you. That's the best reply I've received. Great info. (I also posted on the Europe board.)

[Wer2pats]

I can second the quote from Chickspal regarding the Best Western near San Marcos. The rooms are small but very clean. Remember, Venice is old and that goes for the hotel. If you use a wash cloth, they do not supply any. Take some that you don't mind throwing away. When you leave the Best Western, look for someone who is going back to the ship, share a water taxi with them (it comes right to the door) and the price is much less. They can take a couple or two with their luggage.

 

Pat