Arrived a day early in Venice to enjoy time since our first trip to Europe, caught the #5 bus from the airport to the P.Roma and dropped off our luggage except for the carry on at the baggage storage. Caught the #1 vaporettato to St Marks and found our hotel the Anastasia a couple of blocks off St Marks. Great staff and location being in a central location.

Picked up our luggage the next evening at the baggage storage and caught the people mover to the port, check in was quick and painless, luggage within 30 minutes (only downside the walk from the gate to the ship, a shuttle would be great). Unpacked and back out on the town since this as our overnight in Venice.

This was a port intensive cruise with 9 in the 12 days. Not going to comment here on all the ports but we only took ONE HAL shore excursion and the others were private. As posted before the HAL excursions are getting a little pricey for what you get, comparing fellow passengers experiences I think we had a better experience with the locals and the cost was a lot cheaper not to mention way less crowded. Read more