Live Review NCL GEM 11/6-11/13 Lots of Pictures Plenty of Random Thoughts Pre Cruise Adventure in Venice

[Hogladyrider]

@BennyBrun...WOW very impressive A+ and you are just getting going!

[BennyBrun]

4 hours ago, Muckyduckway said:

I am so enthralled by your photos - went to Venice in the 80s and had no desire to go back.... until now!

 

That's an atrocious price for the transfer. The return to the airport is much cheaper, on the Day 6 daily they quoted $50 per person for transfer for flights after 1pm.  Obviously, you won't need that, but the contrast in price for arrival and departure is worthy of note. 

 

In any case, the train is comfortable and the walk to the terminal not far for able bodied folk. We struggled a little with the uneven floor surfaces because of our 4-wheel cases, but any other luggage would be fine.

The transfer price was insane … and that’s from Venice airport to Trieste.  They now dock at Trieste and no longer at the Venice cruise terminal.

 

The return trips will be to FCO so I will see how much they will want for that transfer on the ship.

 

[BennyBrun]

18 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@BennyBrun...WOW very impressive A+ and you are just getting going!

I am in Venice till Sunday morning.  Have lots to do! 😆 

[LATTELOVE]

Venice is spectacular,

I'm falling in love with this city already.

The charm of the city, food, shopping,

Wow, my kind of city. 

It's going on my bucket list for sure.

 

Thank you Benny for taking your time to do this.

 As always you do a wonderful, fantastic job with your posts 

and pictures.  

 

[goldmom]

Loving your review.  I'm so enjoying your pictures as I have many similar ones from our trip to Venice many years ago.  We loved Venice.

We also stayed at the Hilton.  I seem to remember they had an amazing rooftop pool. You should check it out the views were stunning. 

Have an amazing trip!

[VegasChic]

Love all the photos!!! I have a trip planned for April - Cannot Wait!!!

[BennyBrun]

5 hours ago, LATTELOVE said:

Venice is spectacular,

I'm falling in love with this city already.

The charm of the city, food, shopping,

Wow, my kind of city. 

It's going on my bucket list for sure.

 

Thank you Benny for taking your time to do this.

 As always you do a wonderful, fantastic job with your posts 

and pictures.  

 

Thank you so much!  I really appreciate it 

[BennyBrun]

4 hours ago, goldmom said:

Loving your review.  I'm so enjoying your pictures as I have many similar ones from our trip to Venice many years ago.  We loved Venice.

We also stayed at the Hilton.  I seem to remember they had an amazing rooftop pool. You should check it out the views were stunning. 

Have an amazing trip!

Thanks so much!  I do enjoy the Hilton but I think for next time I would like to stay in Venice where the action is 😂 

[BennyBrun]

Venice

[BennyBrun]

Doges Palace

 

I booked a secret tour to check out the prison cells , offices and passageway hidden above / besides the palace.

[BennyBrun]

Doges Palace Secrets Tour

 

Tight spaces and uneven spaces to maneuver..but very interesting 

[BennyBrun]

Doge’s palace secret tour

[BennyBrun]

Doge’s Palace Secrets Tour

 

I highly recommend this tour if you like history but you have to book in advance!!  Book in advance is the key and book it directly with the place… NO need to go through an operator unless you want a guided personal tour 

[BennyBrun]

Doge’s Palace secrets tour

[BennyBrun]

Doge’s Palace Secrets Tour

[BennyBrun]

Doge’s Palace secrets Tour

[BennyBrun]

Doge’s Palace Public Access

[BennyBrun]

Doge’s Palace Public Tour

[BennyBrun]

Doge’s Palace public tour

[BennyBrun]

There were a few fires at the palace

[BennyBrun]

After the Palace .. I had time for a quick lunch before going to my second tour… walking inside the clock tower at San Marcos.  Not the tall bell tower but the clock tower.  I highly recommend the tour.. 10 people max and it is amazing!  Later on that… but first pizza !  I found this place online and it lived up to its hype!  Local joint and the pizza is amazing!

[BennyBrun]

I saw this fresh pasta place on my way back for the clock tower tour and I just had to try it… wow the pepper and cheese pasta was amazing!  The fresh pasta… wow!

[BennyBrun]

Clock tower tour

highly recommend this over the bell tower walk up… more intimate lots more information and great view without the crowd!

[BennyBrun]

Lots of intricate machinery inside the clock tower that run the clock!  The statues are used for a procession on two days a year only! 

[LouChamp]

The secret tour was fantastic glad you took it. Yes the Hilton is a little far away as I said we love the cipriani but their are some very beautiful hotels along the grand canal. Enjoy!