tuitionowed

I'm writing this review because when I was planning I just couldn't get enough details on how this would work out. We flew to Venice in order to sail from Trieste in October on the Oosterdam. We felt we needed the most uncomplicated travel service we could find so we paid up. I'm hoping that you will read my comments and make the best decision for yourself. We met the HAL representative at the Venice airport right after collecting our luggage. The very friendly rep helped with our luggage and escorted us to our own water taxi and informed us of the procedures. We had a water taxi to ourselves and sailed through the Grand Canal (nice tour!) and stopped at the Molino Stucky Hilton on Giudecca. At the taxi dock we were greeted by another HAL rep who grabbed our luggage with the help of a bellboy and escorted into the hotel HAL desk.( We did have to wait for our room but our luggage was stored and we took off for lunch. After lunch on Giudecca we used the hotel's private water taxi (no cost) and sailed off to San Marco Square. Our hotel room was large, quiet hotel, and breakfast was included (food was just okay). Luggage is supposed to be left outside your room, collected in the night, and sent off to the ship in Trieste. In the morning, we were taken by water taxi to the City Center Transportation area. Documentation was checked and we boarded buses with snacks provided. It was at least a 2-hour drive to Trieste. On arrival we went through security and check-in and we were onboard and in our cabins. Yes, this service is expensive. However, there was peace of mind and personal service was excellent.

Hello cruisers. If you used the transfer service from HAL, please help. Can you share how you were transported from the hotel to the mainland to travel to Trieste? Approximately when did you check out from the hotel? Do you need to walk your luggage to a water taxi station; then again to a bus? Details, please.

This is a first for us too. I hope someone responds!

Hello Cruisers. We are flying from Northeast America to Venice for our cruise to depart from Trieste. We'll arrive in Venice in the morning and will be transferred by HAL to the hotel. Now, here is my timing question...will we have to wait at the hotel until their check-in time? Should I plan on leaving the luggage with the luggage hold? Secondly, when we are picked up in the morning to go to Trieste (its a long drive there) will we be departing early in the morning? Will we have any spare time to site see in Giudecca?