I’m on board Uniworld SS Venezia

[Got2Cruise]

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be onboard after not cruising since 2019. It’s like riding a bike, you recall easily. Lol 

 

Fabulous time during the precruise portion. We have already met a bunch of great folks from that portion. 
 

I’ll try to post a couple pics everyday, mostly to give others the idea what to expect on this itinerary. Milan pics I’ll post later. View from our cabin  And thanks everyone for your good wishes

[pontac]

Where is the cruise from - and to?

[Host Jazzbeau]

9 minutes ago, pontac said:

Where is the cruise from - and to?

You can book it with various pre- and post-extensions, but this is the route of the river cruise itself:

 

Note that this is NOT subject to the Venice ban on cruise ships in Venice proper.

 

[Mrs. Claypool]

We did the same cruise on the Venezia last month. The food was fantastic, the best I’ve tasted on river or ocean . If Tomaso from Slovakia is still the head chef, then you’re in for a treat. 

[Got2Cruise]

 

Million Dollar View from SS Venezia

Day 1 Evening

[jpalbny]

Have a fantastic time! And welcome back to cruising!

 

We have looked at this cruise from time to time but have not booked it yet. Looking forward to following along on your journey.

 

Glad to hear that you enjoyed Milan - we were there for 3 days on our own last year and had a great time.

[Ritabob]

Looking forward to your photos and updates.

[Got2Cruise]

Day 2 AM early morning preopening tour of Doge Palace not a soul around. 

Butler Ivan performing sabering ceremony 

 

 

 

 

Relaxing afternoon 

 

[Got2Cruise]

At 6:30 pm a smaller daytripper type boat picked us all up to ferry across the canal to St Marks Basilica for a private entrance for the Uniworld pax only. Amazing once in a lifetime experience. We were able to view the original crypt and also the golden altar encrusted with jewels.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Got2Cruise

[jpalbny]

The private evening tour of an otherwise empty St. Mark's Basilica is one of the main reasons that I want to do this itinerary! What an experience that must have been.

[gnome12]

We had it on an Aegean Odyssey cruise from Istanbul to Venice in 2015.

[Second seating]

Got2Cruise "St Marks Basilica for a private entrance for the Uniworld pax only." 

This was spectacular, we did this cruise the second season it was offered.  We were docked where we could walk to St. Marks.

Second seating

[Kristelle]

thanks for the photos - enjoying seeing your trip as it unfolds.

[Host Jazzbeau]

2 hours ago, jpalbny said:

The private evening tour of an otherwise empty St. Mark's Basilica is one of the main reasons that I want to do this itinerary! What an experience that must have been.

I'm not sure that Uniworld guarantees that their group has St. Mark's completely to itself.  We've done this after-hours tour twice:  the first time was as a Crystal shore excursion and my memory is that our group was alone in the church; the second time was with walksofitaly and there were other groups sharing the evening with us – but each group got to see the altarpiece and the crypt on its own.  So if you're ever in Venice and your ship doesn't offer the tour, consider this one:

https://www.walksofitaly.com/venice-tours/alone-in-st-marks-basilica-tour/

 

[Got2Cruise]

18 hours ago, jpalbny said:

The private evening tour of an otherwise empty St. Mark's Basilica is one of the main reasons that I want to do this itinerary! What an experience that must have been.

It was beyond expectations. The guide was excellent almost a historian. To be able to sit there would have been enough. But to be able to see the Golden Altar close up was a wowza. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

Sitting in the dark church as they gradually turn the lights on and everything starts to sparkle was a transcendental experience!

[Got2Cruise]

Day 3 am Vicenza or Padua was the choice. We chose Vicenza which we enjoyed very much. Authentic Italian city but nice and quiet. The highlight was Teatro Olimpico a working theater since 1500’s. 

[Got2Cruise]

Day 3 pm and Day 4 we spent time in Burano. Loved Loved Loved. A picture postcard come to life. 

[Got2Cruise]

Day 4 - a short boat ride to the Island of Torcello before it is open to the public. What a lovely surprise. Torcello is known as the birthplace of Venetian civilization. The cathedral circa 625 AD has amazing mosaics. No photos allowed inside but perhaps Google it. It was amazing especially considering it’s age. 
 

After the cathedral a stop at a beautiful restaurant for coffee and biscotti. Another restaurant on the island, Cipriani’s is where Ernest Hemingway used to hang out. 
 

I’m so glad we were given the opportunity to visit Torcello, it was a lovely respite. 

[Got2Cruise]

The Azamara ship is in Chioggia today also. Compare sizes😆

[texasstar]

Aren't you glad you are on the small ship!  Your trip sounds fantastic.  Enjoy!

 

[Second seating]

14 hours ago, Got2Cruise said:

The Azamara ship is in Chioggia today also. Compare sizes😆

After cruising on Uniworld the large ships lost us!   We now prefer Windstar!!!  They are larger than a river cruise but acceptable in size and great food!

[Got2Cruise]

Day 5 Chioggia 

 

After lunch we selected the excursion to the wine estate in the countryside. 

[jpalbny]

Looks like a wonderful day! Thanks for posting.

[Got2Cruise]

Day 6 Catajo Castle, a villa in the hills. No indoor photography allowed but the inside had amazing frescos on each wall. 

 

Then we cruised back to Venice for our last full day, Saturday.