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Venice Cruise Terminal

Venice Cruising

Getting to the Ship

Many cruise lines to Eastern Mediterranean depart from the Venice Cruise Terminal. There are 2 terminals: Marittima , which can handle the larger ships, and San Basilio.

Before you go, verify with VTP (Venice Terminal Passenger) website to determine which of the 2 terminals you will be departing from. If you are going on magaships with brands like MSC, Costa, Princess, Royal Caribbean, most likely, you'll be departing from the Marittima terminal. (look for the information under "Ship Schedule" Cruises to make sure.

Click on this to see the Terminal Map

Don't be fooled into thinking the Pizza Roma is so close to the terminal that you can easily walk there. It takes around 20 minutes, which is doable if you don't have to lug your belongings around in the heat.

Coming from the Airport

The easiest way is to purchase the transfer from the cruise line. This can be expensive. Taking the a taxi from the airport to the cruise terminal costs around 30-40 Eur. The alternative is taking public transportation as follows:

  • Take the inexpensive ATVO (Blue Bus) to the Piazzale Roma (PR). Travel time is around 20 minutes. It costs around 3 Euro. The Bus stop is located between the Arrivals terminal and the Departures area. (Caution: look for the "Venezia" sign before boarding.) Tickets can be purchased at the ATVO counter in the arrivals hall (8 a.m. - 12am), from the ticket machines in the baggage-claim area, or from a ticket machine in the bus departure area. The ticket machine will ask for a code to P. Roma. Look at the yellow papers at the top of the machine for the code.
  • Or you can take a water bus (vaporetta) from the airport. Ask Airport information for directions. There is a walkway to the Pier outside the Arrival Hall (about 7 minutes walk). Head toward the "Alilaguna Lines" ticket kiosk. Water bus to the Cruise Terminal takes around 1 hour and costs 15 Euro.
  • Board the free shuttle to the terminal (see more details)

Coming from the Santa Lucia Train Station

  • Walk across the "new bridge", Ponte di Calatrava, which links the bus terminal at Piazzale Roma with some empty buildings alongside the railway station.
  • Board the free shuttle to the terminal (see more details)

Coming from the Venice Hotels

  • Walk or get on the vaporetto to P.Roma.
  • Board the free shuttle to the terminal (see more details)

Shuttle to Cruise Terminal

  • Port of Venice provides free shuttle buses from P Roma to the terminal. The buses run at 30-40 minutes intervals starting at 10:30AM. Tip: Shuttle buses depart from the far right side of the P. Roma as you face the Grand Canal, in front of a row of low brick buildings. Tip: Look for the sign on the bus with the name of your ship.
  • If the shuttle is not available, you can either walk (20 minutes). Or take a land taxi (5 minutes), which should around 10 Euro per cab (can split with another couple). You can also take a local bus #6 to the port entrance. Tip: maybe a taxi to the port is a good alternative to wasting time in the heat waiting for the shuttle.

When to Board the Ship?

This question requires a rhetorical reply, "It depends!" If you need to save the lunch money, anxious to explore the ship, got nothing to do in Venice, etc..., I would board the ship as soon as possible. It depends on how early the ship allows you to board. Generally, if you get in line early, you can probably get on for lunch buffet. This requires some waiting in line to be the first few to get on the ship. If you like Venice and would like to get lost in its labyrinth, skip the initial rush to the ship and the associated long lines by leaving your luggage at the hotel to wander around the city.

Another option is to take all the luggages to the port.  Luggages are checked in by the crew as soon you get off the shuttle.  They will be delivered to the cabin later on.  After checking in the luggages, take the shuttle bus or taxi back to P. Roma and return later to check-in upstairs.

We plan to board our ship around 1pm to save the cost of an expensive lunch in Venice. But if the weather is pleasant, I don't mind waiting until 3pm to board. To me, Venice is more beautiful and exciting than any beautiful ship. But then again, I love Italy!

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