Need advice on a Venice pre & post cruise hotels, luggage & logistics.

[CarolinaMamma]

We are a family of 5 taking a cruise from Venice, and because we are American expats living in Europe, we will be driving. In Venice, this complicates things. Being a family of 5 complicates things, too, as we need 2 hotel rooms next to each other or a large suite. Would love some hotel recommendations.

 

Trying to figure out where to park the car...

Are there any hotels on the mainland that will let us park our car there for the week and have a shuttle service to the port?

 

For those who have parked near the port, is the parking garage walking distance from the port, considering we are traveling with children and luggage? If not, is there a shuttle?

 

I have read that the parking near the port is open-air. Is it relatively secure? Any recommendations for particular parking garages?

 

After the cruise, we are considering spending the day exploring Venice and then staying one night before driving home. We are trying to minimize the time wasted stashing our luggage somewhere once we get off the ship.

 

How to best handle the luggage when we are doing post-cruise sightseeing...I guess we could either store it in our car at the parking garage near the port, or go to the hotel and store the luggage three, then go out sightseeing. In the latter, we would want a centrally located hotel. But then where to leave the car? This has me thinking that maybe staying on the mainland would be better.

 

Thanks for any help or recommendations.

[fabnfortysomething]

we didn't drive so not 100% sure but think there is an underground parking garage in P Roma[and people mover shuttle gets to port]

 

we stayed at Hotel Santa Chiara in P Roma which has no bridges to negotiate with luggage

Our friends stayed at Best Western Olimpia which was very close and only 1 small bridge to negotiate[about 8 steps up-flat then 8 steps down

[Hlitner]

We can think of a few ideas.. There are a few garages at the Pizzale Roma, but the cost per day can be very expensive. As an alternative you can park on Tronchetto Island which is connected to both the port and the Piazale Roma via the People Mover (1 Euro per ride). I think Tronchetto Island long term parking is 21 Euros per day.

 

In Mestre you can park at the Garage Europe for less money. You can find info at

http://www.garageeuropamestre.com/contatti.asp?formname=parcheggio_per_crociera

 

It is possible that one or more of the hotels in Mestre would allow you to have long term parking during your cruise but we do not have that information. You might want to e-mail several of the Mestre hotels and make an inquiry.

 

Hank

[maryann ns]

I think staying in Mestre would be your best bet. We stayed here last time: http://www.allelagune.it/en/location.html It is an old school converted into a conference centre/hostel. They rent out private rooms and have breakfast included. Parking in the gated back yard was free and they are a ten minute bus ride from Venice. The busses run all day and into the wee small hours. they may be willing to let you park for the week. The rooms are huge, with large modern bathrooms.

 

We like to save our money for the important things such as the vaporetto pass, attractions, and restaurants in Venice.