Venice Cruises

ABOVE: Holland America's Rotterdam passes the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.

Venice, Italy is one of the most popular cruise ports in Southern Europe, handling more than 500 ship departures and 700,000 cruise passengers per year. The city is located within the Venetian Lagoon, which has a port entrance that leads to the Adriatic Sea. Its cruise-ship piers are within walking distance of the historic enter, and Venice's Marco Polo Airport is only about 6 km or 4 miles away.

Important tips:

• If your cruise line isn't providing transfers, you can reach your ship by land taxi from the airport for about €30 to €35. A water taxi is more fun, but you'll pay €90 or more for the trip.

• If you're staying in Venice before or after your cruise, I strongly urge you to read my Venice Cruise Terminal Hotels article before booking a hotel room. Do not assume that your cruise-travel agent knows Venice: I often get panicky e-mails from cruisers who have been booked into hotels that are a long distance on foot (or a painfully expensive water-taxi ride) from the cruise piers.

• For information on the port of Venice, see my Venice Cruise Terminal article. This article describes the two main terminal areas (Marittima and S. Basilio) and has a link to the port's official Web site.

Other transportation advice

Arriving in Venice
How to reach the city by plane, train, car, or ship, with links to articles on airport transportation and related topics.

Getting Around Venice
An introduction to Venice's water transportation system, with links to articles on vaporetti, gondolas, traghetto ferries across the Grand Canal, etc.

More cruise information on our sites

Europe for Cruisers
This special section of Europe for Visitors has a European Cruise Guide, cruise articles and reviews, and other information about ocean, river, and canal cruising in Europe.

Venice Barge Cruises
Go Barging's La Dolce Vita offers 7-day, 6-night cruises by luxury hotel barge on the Venetian Lagoon and the Brenta Canal.

Venice Boat Rentals
Cruise the Venetian Lagoon as captain of your own vessel with a self-drive Pénichette from Locaboat Holidays.

Photo copyright © Holland America Line.

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