Background.We met a lovely couple from the USA 2 years previously on a Baltics cruise and kept in touch.When they told us they had booked this cruise we decided to tag along.Husband has walking difficulties so spent nearly a year researching private tours on cruise critic to make life easier for him[Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it even though he thinks it's a case of OCPD[obsessive cruise planning disorder]

We spent 2 days pre cruise in Venice itself and chose Hotel Santa Chiara for its central location in P Roma with no bridges to cross with luggage and has a small elevator.Transport from the airport was a simple 30 minute transfer on the no1 express ATVO bus-7 euros.

The hotel is lovely with marble floors high ceilings with chandeliers.There is a 2 night minimum stay-first night 159 euros 2nd 179 with local tourist tax of 6 euros per night payable in cash Read more