Mpphred

We are taking the Norwegian Gem 9/11/10 out of Venice and returning 9/18/10 and want to know:
How long does it take to get off the ship. The say they dock at 8AM. We are also planning on taking a train to Munich and are wondering what would be the safest departure time based on getting off the ship, transportation to the train station, etc. Would 11:00 AM be cutting it tto close>
Thanks in advance for your help

Rhea58

You should be ok w/11 a.m. I have frinds on-board now & will
ask them when they return.

bratsandbeer

You may want to contact the cruise company and ask how long it takes to depart the ship and if you can be off the ship within a period of time.

olwagner

You should be ok. Santa Lucia train station is close to the cruise port http://www.walktomycruiseship.com/venice.htm

JoanneH

Be aware that from where the ship docks you have to walk (10min) to the P. Roma. There you have two choices. Take the vaporetto one stop to the train station or walk from the Piazzale Roma's across the bridge to the station (10 min) so allow 1/2 hr. total either way. If you are lugging a lot of bags it can be a hike.
Cabs can pick you up at the dock but can only go to P. Roma not the train station. So keep this in mind.
I have found it works quite well if you let them know on the ship you have to catch and plan train at X hour and they will put you in the first batch of folks disembarking.

Here is a link to a map (long) if it doesn't work simply put in Piazzale Roma Venice map in google and it will come up.
If you move the arrow to the left a little and down you will see where the boats dock. Taking it back up and to the right you will see a bridge across the canal and just to the right of the bridge is the train station. You do cross over the canal. This will give you an idea of the layout and distance.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...ed=0CBkQ8gEwAA

docdan

i just got off the Gem in Venice on 5/29 so here is the scoop:
1. Forget calling the line they have no clue. I did; trust me, NCL was clueless.
2. Actually getting off the ship at just after 8:30 is realistic, especially if you don't mind carrying your bags off, which was no problem for us.
3. Once off the ship they do have a free shuttle bus to Piazza Roma, however, the wait for this was long. I heard one story of someone waiting a whole hour, but I think this is an exaggeration. complaints on crusie critic have been lodged. We waited for the bus for 15 min. so we were off the ship about 920 and at Piazza Roma at 950, including walking and the actual ride. A 1000 train departure was certainly doable.
4. Once you do get off the bus you will see signs fo rthe "Ferrovia" (railroad) right ahead. I don't honestly think vaporetto for just this one stop would be much of an option.
5. Cabs are available as a backup plan. I do not recommend the long walk. i think planning fo rthe shuttle is your best bet.

Aristotle

The walk from the docks to P.Roma is not far and from P.Roma to the RR station is not far, but on the other hand it is not easy, especially with luggage. I have done it in segments at different times and I would recommend taxis and the vaporetto. And I would give plenty of time. The cruise line won't schedule flights before 11:30 after docking at 7. Tells you something.

docdan

I have not walked from P.Roma to the Train station, but it seems to me that walking to the ticket office, then finding the vaporetto stop, then getting on/off the vaporetto, then walking from the stop to the train, is sufficiently laborious, that just walking from P.Roma to the train station is the preferable option. However, I do agree with Aristotle, that while walking the whole distance is doable, taxis from dock to P.Roma is a better option. - or, shuttle bus if it looks like they are better organized than we found.