Pre-Cruise Hotel Package

[tuitionowed]

I'm writing this review because when I was planning I just couldn't get enough details on how this would work out.  We flew to Venice in order to sail from Trieste in October on the Oosterdam.  We felt we needed the most uncomplicated travel service we could find so we paid up.  I'm hoping that you will read my comments and make the best decision for yourself.  

 

We met the HAL representative at the Venice airport right after collecting our luggage.  The very friendly rep helped with our luggage and escorted us to our own water taxi and informed us of the procedures.  We had a water taxi to ourselves and sailed through the Grand Canal (nice tour!) and stopped at the Molino Stucky Hilton on Giudecca.  At the taxi dock we were greeted by another HAL rep who grabbed our luggage with the help of a bellboy and escorted into the hotel HAL desk.( We did have to wait for our room but our luggage was stored and we took off for lunch.  After lunch on Giudecca we used the hotel's private water taxi (no cost) and sailed off to San Marco Square.  Our hotel room was large, quiet hotel, and breakfast was included (food was just okay).  Luggage is supposed to be left outside your room, collected in the night, and sent off to the ship in Trieste. 

 

In the morning, we were taken by water taxi to the City Center Transportation area.  Documentation was checked and we boarded buses with snacks provided.  It was at least a 2-hour drive to Trieste.  On arrival we went through security and check-in and we were onboard and in our cabins.

 

Yes, this service is expensive.  However, there was peace of mind and personal service was excellent. 

[Mary229]

Thank you so much for this review and the detailed account.  We had similar exceptional service on the Yukon tour.  We didn’t need the service but it was part of the package and we were won over.  We are using the service again in Buenos Aires this winter. I hope our next experience is as good as yours.  

[Loreto]

I appreciate your review!  We have paid up to let HAL handle the details, and have never regretted our decision!  I was curious as to the precruise hotel arrangements for Venice/Trieste and it sounds like you made the right choice.