“Venice” Is Really a Bus Stop Now

What Cruise Lines Don’t Tell You on the Brochure

Venice may still appear on your cruise itinerary—but don’t expect to wake up to the Grand Canal outside your balcony. Thanks to a 2021 Italian decree, the Venice you’re picturing is now just a marketing placeholder for industrial ports and long bus rides. Here’s what you really need to know before you book a cruise that claims to go to Venice.

🛑 Why Big Ships Can’t Enter Venice Anymore

In 2021, the Italian government banned ships over 25,000 GT or 180 meters long from entering Venice’s Giudecca Canal or docking at the traditional Marittima cruise terminals.

🚫 Reason? UNESCO pressure to protect Venice from cruise ship wake damage and mass tourism.

📆 Timeline? Ban holds through at least 2027.

This means most large cruise ships—including those from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival—must dock far from the iconic city.

⚓ Where You Actually Dock Now

🔧 Porto Marghera

• Located on the mainland, 10 km from St. Mark’s Square
• Temporary infrastructure: tents and gangways
• Permanent terminal in development, expected by 2028

🛳 Ravenna (Porto Corsini)

• 242 km south of Venice
• Deep-water pier used by most major cruise lines when they list “Venice”
• Requires a lengthy coach transfer

🚌 The Reality of the Coach Commute

💡 Survival Tips for “Venice” Cruises in 2025

1. Fly in a day early

Early morning transfers from Ravenna mean 4:30 a.m. wakeups. Book a night in Bologna for peace of mind.

2. Reserve shuttle transfers ASAP

Ship-run buses fill up weeks ahead. Private transfers can cost €450+ per van in peak summer.

3. Check your embark/disembark cities

Some cruises start in Ravenna and end in Marghera (or vice-versa). These ports are not interchangeable.

4. Pack a day bag

Your checked luggage might not arrive for hours. Keep essentials with you.

5. Look into small-ship alternatives

Luxury ships under the limit can still dock at Marittima—walking distance to Venice proper.

6. Budget for Venice’s new access fee

Starting 2025, all day visitors pay a €5–€10 fee via QR code, even if you slept onboard in Ravenna.

🏗 What’s Coming Next

Venice has green-lit a 12,000 m² cruise terminal in Fusina (Porto Marghera) with:

• Shore-power for reduced emissions
• Rail links to the mainland

🎯 Target opening: 2028 cruise season

Until then, “Venice” will remain shorthand for an industrial dock + a coach commute.

🧭 Final Word

Want a real balcony view of the Doge’s Palace? You can check some Price Drops.

You’ll need a river cruise or a small expedition ship.

For everyone else: pack snacks, download a podcast, and prepare for a bus ride—because Venice is now a logistical detour, not a cruise highlight.