For those who might feel that Azamara has got the short end of the stick docking in Ravenna instead of one of the industrial ports nearer to Venice, I saw this today from someone cruising on another line:
“We docked […] between a camp site and a chemical facility. You can only get into Venice on a ship tour and you have to return on a ship tour bus. Not even taxis are allowed into this very busy industrial port area. The bus from the ship takes 50 minutes to the old, huge, but deserted cruise terminal where all security clearance etc. takes place. Returning is the same. Get to the old terminal then clear security and onto a bus for another 50 minute ride to the ship. It's now the second day here and early this morning the ship moved about a mile further in, to the container area, later today we will move back. Currently we are close to the Fincantieri cruise ship yard with 2 huge new builds being fitted out. Your options of visiting Venice on your own are now quite limited. If you really want to see Venice I would recommend doing it as a pre or post, not passing through in the middle of a cruise.”
I think Ravenna is a slightly more civilised alternative at present, although a long and time-consuming distance from Venice. Ravenna is a great destination on its own, though, within fairly easy reach of Modena, San Marino or even Bologna. I agree with this person’s advice that a pre- or post- cruise stay is a good plan for seeing more of Venice.
