Viking issues at Venice?!??

[PRH]

Keep asking Viking, “where do I check in?”  Good luck on getting straight answers!  Our ship “docked” in Venice last week but was actually in Fusina on the mainland in a commercial port.  Viking customer service was clueless as they kept saying docking in Venice when we knew that was NOT true.  However, all documents said Venice/Fusina so a number of passengers went to Fusina only to be turned away.  You had to go into Venice to the old cruise port terminal for check in and then we’re bussed to the ship in Fusina.  Many angry passengers as there was no clarification even 2hen you called Viking.  Their 24 hour “emergency travel” number did not know where passengers were supposed to go and said their information said ship was docked in Fusina!

[longterm]

8 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Viking excursions on the mid-cruise change-over day should be available for those doing the B2B -- but not for those arriving or departing that day.

 

We did a B2B a couple of years ago with the changeover day in Civitavecchia(Rome). We did not learn until we boarded the ship in Barcelona that there would be Viking sponsored tours for us while other passengers were busy arriving and departing. It worked out great; we were able to book a tour to Tarquina to see the Etruscan Necropolis  -- so much easier than figuring out public transit from the port to the town.

 

Keep in mind that there is one included tour per port, not one included per day.

I guess that's their method, because same thing applied to us. We boarded in Rome, and then others boarded in Venice, so we didn't know whether we had excursions in Venice until just a few days before.

They did have excursions each day though, even though we were in Venice for 3 days...

[lackcreativity]

On 4/22/2022 at 12:18 AM, Peregrina651 said:

 

Viking excursions on the mid-cruise change-over day should be available for those doing the B2B -- but not for those arriving or departing that day.

 

We did a B2B a couple of years ago with the changeover day in Civitavecchia(Rome). We did not learn until we boarded the ship in Barcelona that there would be Viking sponsored tours for us while other passengers were busy arriving and departing. It worked out great; we were able to book a tour to Tarquina to see the Etruscan Necropolis  -- so much easier than figuring out public transit from the port to the town.

 

Keep in mind that there is one included tour per port, not one included per day.

We just returned (last night) from a Barcelona to Venice/Fusina/Ravenna cruise with Viking. I was grateful for the information about the Rome excursions on changeover day that I learned in advance here, because I had to go to Guest Services and ask for the options for those excursions. Viking had not sent them to us as of two days before arriving in Rome.

 

We loved our cruise, but Viking is still working out a few kinks in this new environment. Except for the 3:15 AM departure from the ship, we were happy enough with the last minute change to docking at Ravenna. They scrambled to arrange shore excursions for Ravenna, San Marino, Venice, and Bologna (I think that was the last choice). Having been fortunate to visit Venice three times before by land, we chose to visit Ravenna and were very pleasantly surprised. If these plans remain in place when we return for "Venice" to Istanbul in October, we may try San Marino.

 

Viking staff is still the best ever, and even (almost all) of the  excursion guides were good to great! We were so glad to be back on board, and look forward to sailing again in October. 

[hbtraveler]

It would seem that the Ravenna embarkation/debarkation in place of Venice is only temporary.  I just got an email from Viking for our 18 June cruise that says:

 

"Thank you for choosing Viking for your upcoming Ancient Adriatic Treasures voyage. We would like to update you regarding your docking location in Venice.

 

As you may be aware, the Italian government announced that cruise ships would no longer be allowed to travel through the city's canals. To ensure you enjoy time in Venice, VIKING SKY will dock in the nearby port of Fusina. Venice shore excursions will operate from the ship's alternative docking location.

 

If you are traveling independently, please direct your driver to take you to the Venice Cruise Terminal (Stazione Marittima) to drop off your luggage. From there, you will be transferred to the ship in Fusina."

[coachma]

You beat me to it! We received the same email this afternoon for our June 6 Empires of the Mediterranean on the VIKING SEA.

 

[traveler55g]

We arrive in Venice on 11/7 at the end of our cruise. Our plan was to spend one night in Venice, then fly home. It sounds like tangled mess to arrive in the commercial port, be transported to the old terminal for luggage pickup ; and then proceed to a hotel for one night. Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel close to the old terminal in Venice.With luggage it sounds tricky.

 

[downsmead]

Hotel Olimpia is close by Piazzale Roma which is at the end of the people mover from the cruise terminal. There is only one small bridge to cross. The airport bus also leaves from Piazzale Roma. We choose it as our base each time in Venice, and manage the various transfer with a case each.

[Jim Avery]

You never realize just how many bridges are in Venice till you try to get from A to B dragging suitcases..😱

[hbtraveler]

3 hours ago, traveler55g said:

We arrive in Venice on 11/7 at the end of our cruise. Our plan was to spend one night in Venice, then fly home. It sounds like tangled mess to arrive in the commercial port, be transported to the old terminal for luggage pickup ; and then proceed to a hotel for one night. Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel close to the old terminal in Venice.With luggage it sounds tricky.

 

In June, we're staying at Hotel Santa Chiara, which is right off Piazzale Roma along the Grand Canal.

[austinetc]

7 hours ago, traveler55g said:

We arrive in Venice on 11/7 at the end of our cruise. Our plan was to spend one night in Venice, then fly home. It sounds like tangled mess to arrive in the commercial port, be transported to the old terminal for luggage pickup ; and then proceed to a hotel for one night. Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel close to the old terminal in Venice.With luggage it sounds tricky.

 

My only suggestion is to do your research, doubt much advice without confirmation, and expect limited (if any) assistance from Viking. I'm not faulting Viking entirely. The situation in Venice is complex. Half the city doesn't want you there, the other half would probably lie to get you to come. There's a proposal to charge day trippers a fee to enter the city.

[maklosterman]

We sailed out of Fusina in April, on Viking,  BUT you do all of your processing and testing at the Statione Marittima (Maritime Station).  They then put you on a bus and take you to the ship at Porto Fusina.   Do not go directly to Fusina as the port security will turn you away and it's an expensive cab fare mistake.

 

We were at a hotel near St. Marks and shared a water taxi from our hotel to the Maritime Station for $100/boat. We could also have taken a vaparetto.   Here's a link that might help you find the best way from your hotel:  https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Venice/Stazione-Venezia-Marittima

 

Good luck!

 

[whyask]

On 4/30/2022 at 8:08 AM, traveler55g said:

We arrive in Venice on 11/7 at the end of our cruise. Our plan was to spend one night in Venice, then fly home. It sounds like tangled mess to arrive in the commercial port, be transported to the old terminal for luggage pickup ; and then proceed to a hotel for one night. Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel close to the old terminal in Venice.With luggage it sounds tricky.

 

It’s not as bad as it sounds. We disembarked in Venice and Viking offered an option for us to have them provide the transfer to our hotel we had personally booked near St Mark’s Square. Sure it was more expensive but since we had not navigated Venice before, we found it worth the extra $ and it allowed us most all of disembark day to explore. We stayed an extra night to be fresh for flying the next morning. 
Our hotel arranged a private transfer via water taxi and Mercedes van to Marco Polo airport for 150 euros. Having time to explore Venice is well worth it. 
You can’t avoid the bus to the Venice cruise port no matter what anyway.  
Staying near St. Mark’s Square as a hotel base is preferable.