Greek Isles - Venice to Rome Questions

[fpat]

Just booked the Ruby for this cruise, could someone explain the embarking procedures and the timing in Venice.

 

According to Princess

 

Boarding time is 12AM with departing the next day at 1pm

 

Does that mean we have from Midnight until 1 the next day or 1 the following day?

 

How is it getting on the ship at 12am and how did you coordinate your flights as it seems an odd time to me.

 

How is using the ship as a hotel to see Venice?

 

Thanks for any help and insights on this

[Cruise Junky]

You don't board at midnight, you board at normal time, around 12:00 noon. It's saying that the ship is there that day from 12:00 am until you depart because the cruise before yours enjoyed an overnight in Venice and those people don't depart until the normal 8 - 10 am but the ship go in the day before.

[BJS]

The overnight gives you an evening and the next day until about 1 hour before departure to enjoy Venice using it as a hotel. Princess may offer excursions that evening and the next morning but you will not know that until they are posted in the Cruise Personalizer. They will probably offer some type of a water taxi to St. Marks square for a charge on your ship board account - sometimes they automatically put it on your account and if you aren't going to use it you have to have it removed.

 

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[fpat]

Thanks for clarifying that for me

[Grego]

Princess will most definitely have a list of tours that you can choose from. You'll have choices of things to do that afternoon, that evening and the following morning until you actually depart.

 

This will give you a great chance to see St. Marks Square, Doge's Place, all the wonderful churches and historic sites of this great city. Don't miss the opportunity to take an evening gondola ride and walk the city streets.

 

There will be water taxis near where the ship is docked if you want to venture on your own.

[fpat]

Does any one know how early you can get on the ship in order to make the most of your time in Venice?

 

Also It says that the Ruby gets in to Rome at 4am what time do you have to be off the ship by?

[otogocruisin]

We did this cruise on the Star in November. We boarded around 2pm and in our stateroom were the tickets to the water shuttle to Piazza San Marcos. We left our hand luggage and left the ship right away. The water shuttle was just a short walk from the ship. There is a charge for this. if I remember it was $15 each. You are dropped off really close to Piazza San Marcos. We spent the afternoon and evening in Venice and then returned on the shuttle. They run every 15 minutes and they will let you know when the last shuttle of the evening is. We woke up early and used the shuttle tickets again to go back in to Venice. We had a wonderful morning. They will once again let you know when the last shuttle leaves. It was great and easy to use. It is an easy way to spend your time in Venice.

You are in for an incredible treat. It is the best sailaway. Don't forget to be on the port side as you sail past the Piazza to leave. It is beautiful. Have fun:D

Pam