In short
Cruises from Venice head to Greece, Croatia and Montenegro, usually for 7 nights, from April to October; in winter there are almost none. Large ships berth not in the historic centre but at Marghera or Fusina on the mainland. From the Netherlands and Belgium it is about a two-hour flight.
Port at a glance
Venice
- Where ships go
- Greece, Turkey and the Adriatic
- Usual length
- 6–9 or 10–14 nights
- Terminal
- Marghera or Fusina; small ships at Marittima
- Getting there
- About a 2-hour flight; airport to port 20–30 minutes
Good to know: "Venice" on your itinerary does not mean the historic centre — your boarding documents tell you where the ship berths and where check-in is.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Why Venice
- A city worth arriving early for. Canals, palaces, St Mark's Square — a day or two before the cruise becomes a trip of its own.
- A short hop to the Adriatic and Greece. In a week the ship calls in Croatia, Montenegro and the Greek islands, with few days at sea.
- Close to home. Direct flights from Amsterdam and Brussels take about 1 hour 45 minutes, and Marco Polo airport is on the mainland, not far from the cruise berths.
- The honest downside. The famous sail-away past St Mark's is gone for large ships: they now reach the open sea through a different inlet of the lagoon.
Where ships actually leave from
Since August 2021, ships over 25,000 gross tonnes or longer than 180 metres have been banned from the St Mark's Basin and the Giudecca Canal. So cruises "from Venice" now start in several places:
- Marghera. The commercial port on the mainland, where large ships berth at the Liguria and Lombardia quays. Check-in and bag drop usually take place at the Marittima passenger terminal (Stazione Marittima), and a bus then takes you to the ship.
- Fusina. A terminal on the mainland south-west of the city. Since its upgrade it takes ships up to about 250 metres — mostly mid-size and premium ships. Check-in is usually on site.
- Marittima and San Basilio. The berths right by the historic centre, now only for small ships under 25,000 tonnes.
- Other Adriatic ports. Some cruise lines have moved departures to Trieste, Monfalcone or Ravenna. Itineraries sometimes say exactly that: "Ravenna (Venice)". Ravenna is about 2.5 hours from Venice by car, Trieste about two hours by train.
Where cruises from Venice go
Almost every sailing from Venice heads east, down the Adriatic towards Greece. These are the main options:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greek islands | 7 nights | April to October, busiest from May to August | Venice's signature route: for example Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Olympia or Athens |
| Croatia and Montenegro | 7 nights | All season | Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor — often combined with Greece on the same itinerary |
| Longer Eastern Mediterranean voyages | 10–14 nights or longer | October to December | Occasional: more Greek ports, sometimes Turkey |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
Spring on the Adriatic
Around 20°C and no summer crowds yet. Departures increase week by week, and by May the season is almost in full swing.
Cruises in May →High season
The most departures and the warmest sea. Venice is hot and humid, and on the islands daytime highs can top 30°C. School holidays — book early.
Cruises in July →The golden season
The sea is still warm, the heat eases and excursions are less crowded. October has fewer departures, but longer itineraries start to appear.
Cruises in September →Almost a pause
A handful of longer voyages leave in November and December, and in January and February there are practically no cruises from Venice. In late autumn the city can see high water — acqua alta.
Cruises in November →Getting to the terminal
All the cruise berths are on the edges of the lagoon, and the gateway to the historic centre is Piazzale Roma: cars and buses go no further. From there the Marittima terminal is three minutes away on the People Mover, a small automated elevated train.
- From the Netherlands and Belgium. Direct flights from Amsterdam and Brussels to Marco Polo airport take about 1 hour 45 minutes. Low-cost airlines sometimes use Treviso, about 40 km away and around an hour by bus. Fly in the day before: a morning flight on embarkation day is an unnecessary risk.
- From Marco Polo airport. A taxi to Marittima takes about 20–25 minutes. Cheaper is the ATVO or ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma, about 20–25 minutes, and then the People Mover. Many cruise lines also sell their own transfer.
- To Fusina. A taxi or the cruise line's transfer is easiest: about half an hour from the airport. Line 16 boats run from the Zattere waterfront in Venice to Fusina in about 25–30 minutes, but they are awkward with big suitcases.
- By train. Venezia Santa Lucia station sits on the Grand Canal, across a bridge from Piazzale Roma — about a 5-minute walk. High-speed trains from Milan take about 2.5 hours, handy if you are touring Italy before the cruise.
- By car. There is cruise passenger parking at Marittima; book a space in advance. You cannot drive into the historic centre.
The night before: where to stay
Flying into Venice the day before is not just insurance against delays — it is an evening in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Choose the area according to where your ship leaves from:
Piazzale Roma and Santa Croce
The last point taxis and buses can reach. In the morning Marittima is three minutes away on the People Mover, with hardly any bridges to carry your case over.
Cannaregio by the station
A lively residential area next to Santa Lucia station. Piazzale Roma is just across the bridge, about 5–10 minutes on foot.
Mestre
Usually cheaper than the historic centre, and about 10 minutes from Venice by train or bus. By road it is closer to Marghera and Fusina than the old city is.
Near Marco Polo airport
Hotels a few minutes from the airport terminal. In the morning the cruise berths are about 20–30 minutes away by taxi.
If you have half a day in Venice
Everything below starts from Piazzale Roma, so it fits before boarding or after you disembark:
- The Grand Canal by vaporetto. Water bus line 1 runs from Piazzale Roma past every palace on the Grand Canal to St Mark's in about 45 minutes — the best sightseeing tour for the price of a ticket.
- St Mark's Square and the basilica. The heart of the city; visit the basilica in the morning, when the queue is shorter.
- The Rialto Bridge and market. About 20–25 minutes' walk from Piazzale Roma following the signs. The market is open in the mornings.
- Dorsoduro and the Zattere. A quieter district with views across to Giudecca island, close to the Accademia bridge and gallery.
On certain spring and summer days, day visitors pay a fee to enter the historic centre. Guests staying overnight in Venice or Mestre are exempt, but pay the tourist tax at their hotel. The rules change, so check them for your date.
The day you come back
Ships usually dock early in the morning, and guests leave in groups until around 9 or 10 a.m. If the ship berthed at Marghera, a bus takes you to Marittima or the airport, which also takes time. Avoid flights before midday. If you fly in the evening, leave your bags at a luggage storage and enjoy another half day in the city.
Practical tips
- Check your boarding time. Cruise lines give each guest a time slot; arriving much earlier usually means waiting.
- Check-in is not always at the ship. For Marghera departures you drop your bags at Marittima and take a bus to the ship. Read your cruise line's instructions to the last line.
- See St Mark's from a vaporetto. The ship no longer sails past the square. For that classic view, take water bus line 2 along the Giudecca Canal the day before.
- ID for everyone. Italy, Greece and Croatia are in Schengen; Montenegro, Albania and Turkey are not. If you do not hold a European passport, check entry rules for every country on the route in good time.
Or start in Rome?
Cruises to the Greek islands also leave from Civitavecchia, Rome's port. If you would like to combine your cruise with the Eternal City, take a look at that option too. Cruises from Civitavecchia →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Venice?
Almost all head east: to the Greek islands, Croatia and Montenegro, usually for 7 nights. The season runs from April to October, with the most departures from May to August. In late autumn there are some longer voyages of 10–14 nights.
Do cruise ships still sail into Venice?
Large ones do not. Since August 2021 ships over 25,000 tonnes have been banned from the Giudecca Canal, so they berth at Marghera or Fusina on the mainland. Only small ships use Marittima and San Basilio by the historic centre.
How do I get from Venice airport to the cruise terminal?
A taxi takes about 20–25 minutes to Marittima and about half an hour to Fusina. Cheaper is the bus to Piazzale Roma and the People Mover to Marittima. If your ship is at Marghera, check-in is usually at Marittima and a bus takes you to the ship.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Venice?
Piazzale Roma and Santa Croce are closest to the port. If you arrive by train, Cannaregio by the station is handy; for a lower budget, Mestre on the mainland. If you land late, stay near the airport.
Are there cruises from Venice in winter?
Hardly any. A handful of longer voyages leave in November and December, and in January and February there are practically no cruises from Venice. The season starts again in March and April.
Will I see St Mark's Square from the ship?
Not from a large ship: it reaches the sea through the Malamocco inlet, away from the historic centre. You can still see the classic view of St Mark's from the water on a vaporetto, for example line 2 along the Giudecca Canal.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Venice that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Venice dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.