My dad and I are doing Greek Isles cruise leaving from Venice this fall. The Venice hotels are very expensive. As it turns out, it was about the same price to book a 2-night stay through Princess which we did. I am told that there are hotels near the airport which are cheaper, but when you combine that with the cost of getting into and out of Venice for a couple days, it may well be a wash.
we are going to do a TA our of Venice, so we're flying into Marco Polo, and our travel agent is going to book us into an inexpensive hotel near the train station..she says it's about$150 a night per room....will let you know.
quote:
Originally posted by waterart: Hi,
My dad and I are doing Greek Isles cruise leaving from Venice this fall. The Venice hotels are very expensive. As it turns out, it was about the same price to book a 2-night stay through Princess which we did. I am told that there are hotels near the airport which are cheaper, but when you combine that with the cost of getting into and out of Venice for a couple days, it may well be a wash.
When in Venice, we always stay at the Casa alla Fenice. It's right in San Marco and is easily accessible to numerous restaurants and vaporetto stops. I have never paid more than $150 per night. When it comes time to go to the cruise ship, the hotel staff will be happy to arrange a private water taxi for you. This is the best part. The water taxi will promptly pick you up literally 20 feet from the front door of the hotel. From there, you will be transported to a pier with 100 yards of the cruise ship. We never even have to touch our luggage. Cruise ship personnel take our luggage straight from the taxi and it magically appears in our stateroom by the time the safety drill is over. The water taxi usually costs about 60 euros but is one of the best bargains in Venice. This is a link to the hotel's website: casa alla fenice
Posts: 1437 | Location: birmingham, al | Registered: April 30, 2007
DrL, Here is a case when you can give us some advice. We will be in Venice in early Oct to catch the Emerald of the Seas back to FLL. I seem to recall there was a local problem a while back that resulted in the water taxis refusing to go to the port. I belive it had something to do with the port authority rules or fees (not sure of the exact reason). Do you know if there is still an issue? At this point we have booked a reasonbly priced place within walking distance of the Piazzale Roma which avoids having to use the water taxis (and also allows us to take advantage of the cheap bus in from the airport). As much as we like staying around San Marco, we figure we save several hundred dollars by staying near Piazzale Roma. On the other hand, perhaps we are getting too darn old to walk through the streets dragging our luggage up and down over bridges
Also, if you have an recent restaurant recommendations please share!
Geez, Guess we have been in Puerto Vallarta too long and too many margaritas. Emerald of the Seas should have been the Emerald Princess. But, guess that would not be a bad name for a RCI ship.
Hank, like you, I am away from home right now so I do not have my European info with me. As soon as I get home, I will give you the names of the restaurants that we liked. As far as the water taxi is concerned, I have never had a problem getting them to take me to the cruise terminal. The receptionist at the hotel makes the arrangements and everything goes like clockwork.
Posts: 1437 | Location: birmingham, al | Registered: April 30, 2007
Thanks DrL. We will look forward to your advice. As much as we love Venice, we have always found it difficult to find decent restaurants for a reasonable price.
There is a moderately priced Holiday Inn which has excellent reviews, right at the train station, just a short ride from central Venice. Although earlier this year our friends stayed nearby, not there, they went to see the property and thought it was wonderful. It is the Holiday Inn Venice East-Quarto D'Altino. This is NOT the HI express by the same name, and that one is much further from the station. We are staying there precruise in the spring. You said you were going in the "fall" so I took a stab and looked up early October. The nonrefundable rate was 90 euros and the best flexible rate was 115 euros. If you are senior or AAA member, the rest flexible rate appears to be 98 or 99 euros.
As a PS, the Holiday Inn will pick you up from, or take you to, the airport free of charge. I am not sure about dropping you off at the cruisport, but I will know more when I get back late May.
Thanks for the tip on that Holiday Inn. It seems like a darn good price for a hotel within a reasonble distance of Venice. However, in our case there is no way we would go to Venice without staying in Venice even thought its more costly. We simply enjoy strolling the streets late at night, and it becomes too much of a hassle taking the train back and forth to the mainland.
Finally home for a couple of days before the wife and I take a short drive to Mobile for a last minute getaway on the aging Holiday. Hank, I looked at the restaurants that she and I frequent and a few tend to stand out. Since we stay close to the Fenice (she is a hapless fan of the John Berendt book, The City of Fallen Angels), we, like to stroll and dine late with the locals. We love the Hostaria Al Coristi and the Taverna La Fenice. Both are easily accessible from either either side of San Marco; the San Angelo stop on the north side or the San Maria del Giglio stop on the south side. As far as slightly more elegant dining, she and I prefer the areas around the Rialto bridge. They tend to be slightly more romantic and "slightly" more expensive. We enjoy the Antico Martini and Le Bistrot De Venise. Antico is closed on Tuesday. As far as the best value in Venice, I feel that the Traghetto is by far the cheapest nice thing to do in Venice. It gives you a nice ride across the Grand Canal and doesn't even cost a whole Euro.
Posts: 1437 | Location: birmingham, al | Registered: April 30, 2007
Many thanks DrL. We are familiar with the area around the Rialto Bridge and agree its romantic and fun. Of course there are too many darn shops in that area so I need blinders for my wife. We also love using the traghettos, but I can get myself in trouble by being macho and standing all the way across. Have a great trip. We are heading home on Saturday after 7 weeks in Puerto Vallarta. Have to do those darn taxes before the next long trip.
Hank, I have a picture of me doing the "macho" thing on the traghetto. I looked sorta like Washington crossing the Delaware River until I lost my footing, narrowly escaped an impromptu swim, floundered around in the vessel like a freshly landed swordfish, and tried to stand to regain my dignity... Alas, I fell again and remained firmly planted on my rear for the duration of the trip. I thought the other riders were going to die of oxygen deprivation they were laughing so hard.
Posts: 1437 | Location: birmingham, al | Registered: April 30, 2007
Can someone please tell me where the train station is in relation to the cruise port in Venice and how to get there. I have read everyone's remarks and suggestions on Venice and I greatly appreciated them.
HI, I have been searching for this same info and found details at www.vtp.it . Go to the English page and scroll down till you see the directions to the cruise ship terminal from the railway station. It is actually behind the railway station and I guess you could walk it if you wanted. But I think taking the vaporetto to Piazzale Roma( 1 stop) and then the cruise shuttle bus is what we will try in May rather than dragging our luggage.Let me know if you find any other info!
