Accessing Venice from Fusina

[Tim Bloomfield]

We are on the cruise from Rome Oct 7 ending in Athens on 21 Oct and stopping with Venice as one of the stops. However I believe we will actually dock in Fusina.

I would like to visit other places such as Padua and Ravenna by train from Venice, as we have been to the latter several times before. I have used Italian trains before and they are excellent.

So can anyone give me a definitive answer/s as to how we can access Venice. I have seen posts before which suggested you could only do that on a organised excursion. Another suggested you could take a Viking tender but would have to return at an early afternoon one as after that they were only for Viking excursion guests. Can we make our own way to Venice?

Any answers, particularly from anyone who has docked with Viking at Fusina would be hugely appreciated

[kctwinmommy]

First and foremost, you need to know if you're in Fusina or Chioggia. We were in Chioggia for our cruise. It should be on your itinerary that you received. I have also heard of a few ships having this changed somewhat last minute.

 

From the way things were when we were there, you would need to find your own transportation into Venice. From Chioggia, there were no tenders, only shuttle boats for those with booked excursions.

[mera84]

We are on the same cruise.  We received an email from Viking back in December '23 regarding the change from Chioggia to Fusina.  In the body of the email it noted the following concerning "shuttles".

 

"To ensure you enjoy time in central Venice, shore excursions to Venice will be operated from Fusina. Additionally, a motorcoach shuttle will be available for guests who wish to explore central Venice independently. Schedules for the Venice shuttle will be available on board."

 

We intend to wander on our own in Venice so will utilize the shuttle. Without a schedule of times, it makes it difficult to book some galleries and places of interest in advance.  

 

If you google maps the port area of Fusina you will see that there is a public water ferry that leaves Fusina but its probable a 30 minute walk from where the ship will dock due to the closed off port area. 

[Tim Bloomfield]

Thank you for that reply. I would prefer to get to Venice for onward travel on the water, but it seems that we will have to use the coach from Viking, which is nowhere near as attractive.

We didn't receive the email you got from Viking about Venice access.

[mera84]

Tim Bloomfield.  This is the full email we received. 

 

13DEC2023 Dear Viking Guest, Thank you for choosing Viking for your Italy, The Adriatic & Greece voyage. We would like to update you regarding your docking location in Venice. You may be aware that the Italian government announced that all cruise ships, except small boutique ships, would be moved to alternate docking locations, outside central Venice, in order to preserve the Venetian Lagoon, which is a national monument. Going forward, to support Venice in their goal of preserving the lagoon’s environment, all affected 2024 Viking voyages on your itinerary will now dock in Fusina (Venice) instead of central Venice. Fusina is approximately a ½ hour drive south of the Venetian Lagoon, depending on traffic. To ensure you enjoy time in central Venice, shore excursions to Venice will be operated from Fusina. Additionally, a motorcoach shuttle will be available for guests who wish to explore central Venice independently. Schedules for the Venice shuttle will be available on board. Fusina, (Venice) Italy Fusina is the gateway to Venice — a wondrous patchwork of graceful piazzas, tranquil canals, artful footbridges, and Gothic splendor. This impossibly romantic place is made dreamier still by a serene gondola ride. To view its riches up close, walking is best. All things Venetian begin in St. Mark’s Square, where its elegant bell tower rings over the rooftops, and the Byzantine-Gothic St. Mark’s Basilica seems to preside over all. Beyond St. Mark’s and away from the crowds, Venice is a hushed and fascinating city to explore, with medieval echoes marking your every step. Guests with Viking Air or Transfers If you have Viking Air or have arranged a transfer with Viking, you will be automatically transferred between the Fusina docking location and the airport or your extension hotel for embarkation or disembarkation. Independent Travellers (Guests travelling without Viking-arranged air or transfers) If you are embarking in Venice, please direct your driver to take you to the Venice Cruise Terminal (Stazione Marittima) to drop off your luggage. From there, Viking will transfer you to the ship in Fusina. Guests cannot go directly to the ship—you will be redirected back to the Venice Cruise Terminal. If you are disembarking in Venice, please direct your driver to meet you at the Venice Cruise Terminal (Stazione Marittima) where you will pick up your luggage. Please know your experience is important to us. We apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause. However, we hope you will join us in being supportive of Venice’s efforts to preserve the historic lagoon area for all to enjoy. You will see these changes reflected in your booking, in My Viking Journey, and on our website at a future date. Should you have any questions regarding this update, please contact Viking Reservations at reservations.anz@viking.com or call 138 747 (AU) or 0800 447 913 (NZ), Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, AEST. We look forward to welcoming you on board in the coming year and wish you a wonderful journey. Sincerely, Viking

[Tim Bloomfield]

Many thanks again.

[SueandJay]

Just heard from Viking today that the Fusina Cruise Terminal is now fully open and passengers can now access it directly. 

[HDS]

Sue and Jay, that is good news.  When are you travelling?

Our cruise shows Chioggia but I am researching Venice access to/from Fusina terminal as well as Chioggia.

[jollyjones]

For Fusina, look at the #16 vaporetto route. I don't know for sure, but it does look as though the ferry stop is a very short walk to the cruise terminal, and the ships are no longer at a commercial dock where you were not allowed to walk around independently. But that does need to be confirmed.

 

https://www.visit-venice-italy.com/water-bus-venice-line-16.html

[Tim Bloomfield]

Thanks all & looks promising for independent travel.

[snoopy2001]

We are on the Italian Sojourn cruise, going from Rome to Venice, and got this email from Viking:

 

10SEP2024

Dear Viking Guest,

Thank you for choosing Viking for your upcoming Italian Sojourn voyage. 

We would like to provide an update regarding your disembarkation location.

We previously advised that the Fusina (Venice) terminal would be

inaccessible to guests. We are pleased to inform you that the new terminal is

now open and ready for regular operations.

Guests with Viking Air or Transfers- You will be automatically

transferred from the ship to the airport or your extension hotel following

disembarkation.

Independent Travelers (guests traveling without Viking-arranged air or

transfers)- Please direct your driver to meet you at the Terminal Fusina:

Terminal Fusina (Venice)

Roportmoss Terminal via Autostrade del Mare  30176

Map

Should you have any questions prior to your departure, please contact your

travel advisor or call us at 1-855-300-3970, between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, PT.

We look forward to welcoming you on board and wish you a wonderful journey.

Sincerely,

Viking