Cruise ships dock at the Maritima Port and passengers can take a shuttle boat service from the pier to ‘Giardinetti’ pontoon which is only metres from San Marco Square. ‘Piazza San Marco’ is one end of Venice’s popular shopping district which continues into the Rialto area to the Accademia Bridge, which has many up market designer stores.
Gucci, Prada and Versace are on offer here, as well as Venetian masks and Venetian jewellery. Passengers with only a day’s shore excursion have a number of ‘must see’ attractions including St Mark’s Basilica and Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace).
A climb to the top of the Bell Tower in St Mark’s Square allows passengers views over the whole of Venice. Open-air markets, as well as the famous Guggenheim Collection housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni are other highlights. And, of course, cruisers should take a ride in a gondola .
