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seawitches
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Posted: Sun Aug 17th, 2008 09:39 pm | 1st Post |
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I'm good with the Marriot at Airport. I see that they offer a package of room, transfer to hotel and transfer to port next day too.
It seems like such a short distance into Mestre, would it be better to get off plane and go directly to Mestre? To be able to laze around in am, and maybe grab the train into Venice? Or just hunker down at the Marriot and try to sleep?? Do they have a restaurant there? Said it was closed for reno's. Wonder if it reopened??
Only reason I ask is to appease a hungry stomach if I can't sleep. Is the Marriot Airport/Venice in the boonies? Or close to shops?
(yes, I never believe hotel web sites.. I need to know from someone who stayed there).....????? Denise any thoughts????
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Catnip
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 02:09 am | 2nd Post |
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seawitches wrote: I'm good with the Marriot at Airport. I see that they offer a package of room, transfer to hotel and transfer to port next day too.
It seems like such a short distance into Mestre, would it be better to get off plane and go directly to Mestre? To be able to laze around in am, and maybe grab the train into Venice? Or just hunker down at the Marriot and try to sleep?? Do they have a restaurant there? Said it was closed for reno's. Wonder if it reopened??
Only reason I ask is to appease a hungry stomach if I can't sleep. Is the Marriot Airport/Venice in the boonies? Or close to shops?
(yes, I never believe hotel web sites.. I need to know from someone who stayed there).....????? Denise any thoughts????
There is a little coffee shop in the lobby for the breakfasts......we left too early and it wasn't open when we headed out. There was a restaurant, also, but we ate at a restaurant down the street a few blocks, so I have no idea if it was good. But it was a nice looking restaurant. There are no shops close-by and only 3-4 places to eat.
But it is less than 5 minutes from the airport, so when you leave in the morning it is SO convenient. No humping luggage to the boat and a 25-min ride to the airport.
Maybe you could eat at the airport before you leave and then go to the hotel and catch a nap? If you get there in the early morning, maybe their coffee shop will still be open and you could get a snack there before crashing for a few hours.
The bus into Venice is literally steps outside the front of the hotel. Convenient and very easy to get to the Piazza Roma.
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seawitches
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 03:52 am | 3rd Post |
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Flight leaves TO at midnight. Arrives Amsterdam at lunch, then we change planes for Venice at 2pm, arrive Venice 4:30pm = some very tired pissed off old foggy's with cramps, bloating, arthritic complaints and gas..... we will need a bed...... and if it's as bad as Rome was last year, I'll need food at 2am.
Did they really have a airport shuttle to hotel? Or should we just plan on a cab?
Also, when you get off plane do you get on a train to get to terminal (like Rome)Last edited on Mon Aug 18th, 2008 03:52 am by seawitches
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Catnip
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 01:22 pm | 4th Post |
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seawitches wrote: Flight leaves TO at midnight. Arrives Amsterdam at lunch, then we change planes for Venice at 2pm, arrive Venice 4:30pm = some very tired pissed off old foggy's with cramps, bloating, arthritic complaints and gas..... we will need a bed...... and if it's as bad as Rome was last year, I'll need food at 2am.
Did they really have a airport shuttle to hotel? Or should we just plan on a cab?
Also, when you get off plane do you get on a train to get to terminal (like Rome)
Yes, the hotel did provide a free shuttle from the hotel to the airport. It's a less than 5 min drive.
Not sure if the coffee shop in the lobby of the hotel will be open late afternoon, and I don't think the restaurant opened till after 6-7pm. But you could e-mail the hotel and ask what the hours are.
Best bet might be to get a bite at the airport.......it's a nice airport and not huge. There were a couple of places to eat in the airport.
The airport is small enough to where there are no trains or buses from the planes to the main terminal/baggage claim area. You just walk from your arriving gate to the terminal/baggage claim (not very far to walk). Even gimpy me with the bad foot and knee didn't have any trouble.......
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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seawitches
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 04:38 pm | 5th Post |
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Just a little updated info that seems to be misleading on web sites.
The shuttle from airport to the water taxi dock is no longer running. They revamped the airport (? added a terminal?) and this service is no longer.
Options if taking a water taxi to Venice from Marco Polo
-exit luggage claim area and walk around building to dock staging area. There are luggage carts for this if needed. (1E) but I don't think they are available until you get to dock staging area.
-hire a van driver to load your luggage and drive you to dock staging area. He will load your luggage into van, but he can not actually go directly into the dock areas. He will let you off and unload luggage, and then you walk to dock from van. There are luggage carts once again at this area.
There is a description of the distance of the walking. Apparently the walk is confusing for many ??? have no idea what that means. I think the walk is approx 1/8 of mile?? I must mention this private van driver is in conjunction of a purchase of private water taxi service. (meaning you can hire the water taxi, and the van and water taxi together)
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seawitches
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 04:54 pm | 6th Post |
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Transportation into and out of Marco Polo Options
-water taxi - depends on number of people and luggage. (158.E for 4 people with luggage, airport to Venice hotel) (Airport to P Roma 110.E for 4 people)
-public water bus (Alilaguna) not to be confused with private water taxi.
-rent a car - there is a parking garage in Venice, also one on another island.
-private land limo (70E for 4 people with luggage) 30 min
-bus (4E) 20-30 minutes direct route.
-shuttle (from Pizzale Roma 3E pp direct route 20-30 min) buy ticket at Pizzale Roma. Other bus routes are different from this one.
-helicopter for the rich.
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Catnip
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 05:46 pm | 7th Post |
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Sheila,
Won't you be going directly to the Mariott? They have a free shuttle van to the hotel. Then hop on a bus to the Piazza Roma. It's really easy.
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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seawitches
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 06:28 pm | 8th Post |
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Ha Ha ha... you haven't travelled with Pearly and I...... we have absolutely NO idea whether to stay at the Marriott or Venice proper.
We sway between being in Venice and NOT staying then regretting it vs saving a ton of money and staying at the Marriott.
I really think the better of the two choices is to get on the Marriott shuttle and crashing after eating. Once we arrive in Venice we will have been on the go for 28 hours and then add a time change. I think we need to refuel with food, have a hot bath and lie down to attempt sleep. Then hit Venice early am!
But........................... all options are open for discussion.
The two old girls are having some joint problems and we need to factor this in. We just forget that we're getting old.
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Catnip
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 07:14 pm | 9th Post |
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seawitches wrote: Ha Ha ha... you haven't travelled with Pearly and I...... we have absolutely NO idea whether to stay at the Marriott or Venice proper.
The two old girls are having some joint problems and we need to factor this in. We just forget that we're getting old.
LOL! Well, you do what you think is best.......but if you've never been to Venice before, it's sort of hard to understand & picture just how crowded the little narrow sidewalks are and how many bridges you have to go over (schlepping your suitcases) to get to your hotel.
We were there in October, which is "off season" and I was astounded on how crowded it was! I remarked numerous times to my DH about how much of a pain in the ass it would have been for us to get to the hotel with our bags if we had stayed in downtown Venice.
We were happy that we stayed at the airport. At my age and with my knee & feet problems, I chose the easiest & least hassle route.... LOL!!!
How long are you staying in Venice beforer you get on the ship?
Whatever ya'll decide to do, I'm sure you will have a great time in Venice! I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts about Venice when you get back.
Last edited on Tue Sep 9th, 2008 07:26 pm by Catnip
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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xpcdoojk
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 08:13 pm | 10th Post |
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Sheila, your previous posts had me confused because I, too, thought you had decided to stay in Mestre or somewhere on the mainland. I would not say the Antiche Figure is the best hotel on the planet, but it was way above average (especially in Europe) and if you can afford 158 euro the Water taxi is the way to go. Of course, you will need to spend a bit more for a second Water taxi to the cruise port, but that should be a lot less, maybe you can negotiate it up front with the water taxi. I am sure that they have slow times and would be ameniable to a deal. The Antiche Figure is directly on the main canal, as are several other hotels, so that would end the need to go over the Scalzi or other bridges. Which is certainly not easy. We did the 3 euro ATVO bus, and schlepped over 3 small bridges, no more than 25 steps up and down total. Then when we left town we went over the Ponti Scalzi bridge which is a tall sucker, probably 25 steps each way to the train station directly across the Grand Canal. Since we were leaving the hotel, I just carried the bags over and posted the wife with the bags as I went to get the rest of the bags. For me the convenience of being in Venice was worth the work, only you and Pearl know your tolerance for sweating and lifting.
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Catnip
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 08:24 pm | 11th Post |
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jc,
How did you like Venice? I mean, really like it? As in, would you love to go back for another visit?
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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xpcdoojk
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 08:54 pm | 12th Post |
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O, yes, really liked it. If I went back I would like to visit a few more of the museums. That said, I would rather go somewhere new to almost anywhere I have been before. Our weather was spectacular. Of course, that trip included a week on the Amalfi coast in a villa overlooking the Med. So, Venice, Rome or Amalfi? Amalfi by far.
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seawitches
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 11:07 pm | 13th Post |
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| We were planned on airport or Mestre, but then thought we'd kick ourselves for not staying. Pearl got the results of her knee MRI and it isn't good. So unless she has surg in the next few months,I think we should be thinking more simple for the two old bodies. (She was an orthopedic nurse... great eh? All those hips and knee patients she lugged around......where's the justice?)
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Catnip
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Posted: Tue Sep 9th, 2008 11:20 pm | 14th Post |
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xpcdoojk wrote: O, yes, really liked it. Of course, that trip included a week on the Amalfi coast in a villa overlooking the Med. So, Venice, Rome or Amalfi? Amalfi by far.
I've been to several cities in Italy and other than the isle of Capri, I probably wouldn't go again. For some reason, the cities in Italy I've been to (Rome, Venice, Naples, Fiuggi) just didn't "speak" to me....... I felt no connection there at all. Strange, eh?
I've never been to Ireland and would love to go and see the Emerald Isle. But I feel a strong attraction to London and am very interested in maybe driving around the English countryside. I also love Germany and have been there several times and would definitely go back there again, too.
Just was wondering others' feelings on Venice and./or other countries that they "loved'.
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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xpcdoojk
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 12:40 am | 15th Post |
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For a country that speaks a language I don't, I like Italy. The people are mostly straightforward, and the country folk are very open if you try to speak Italian. I agree the cities are cities, dirtier than our cities and just cities, but with so much unbelieveable history.
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c6e1d7"Amalfi is country Capri, and I loved the entire area (except for the unbelieveable bus traffic on those tiny roads). The food, the wine, the sea, and the lemon groves. Loved it.
I have never been anywhere I didn't like on vacation (including Ontario last week )
Last edited on Wed Sep 10th, 2008 12:41 am by xpcdoojk
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seawitches
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 02:42 am | 16th Post |
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We have a winner..... Marriott Airport.... Booking in am.... ya hoo... now on to the next question... do we do Formal night??????????? We are all leaning toward no.... My birthday after Venice is being spent at the piano bar stool, I hope they have a piano player cause he's gonna get to know "the little ol hot mama's  
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 03:05 am | 17th Post |
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| Ha, ha, ha! You go girl! I'd say no on the formal nights. It's just extra weight in the luggage. You'll have much more fun at the piano bar!
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seawitches
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 03:32 am | 18th Post |
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| I am so sick of having to get dressed up for the last 7 years of my life, I'm getting very resistant to it. I'll do it if everyone else wants to, but I'm comfy in a great little slack set, with some cheap paste.
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Catnip
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 03:39 am | 19th Post |
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hstrybuf wrote: Ha, ha, ha! You go girl! I'd say no on the formal nights. It's just extra weight in the luggage. You'll have much more fun at the piano bar!
I'm with Deb!!!!!!!! WHo needs the extra aggravation?
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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seawitches
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 04:10 pm | 20th Post |
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| Hotel booked................... sigh of relief........ transfers booked...... sigh of relief............... Now bring on the party.... Flaming Sambucca's... Vino...Ozo............Whirling Dervishes, Belly Dancers, Greek Folk Dancing... O' Sol Lo Mi OOooooooo
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Catnip
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 04:47 pm | 21st Post |
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I suggest that you eat lunch and dinner in Venice......the hotel has a restaurant, but there are only a couple of restaurants within a few blocks of the hotel. We wished that we had eaten dinner in Venice.
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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seawitches
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 05:54 pm | 22nd Post |
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Our flight doesn't arrive til 1630, but if we are really wired up, we could do a cab into Venice for dinner?? Does that sound doable or stupid?
Don't for get we have two days in Venice prior to sailing.
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Catnip
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 09:12 pm | 23rd Post |
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Hmmm....hard call. Guess it just depends on how tired you are.........I don't know about a cab, because we took the bus both ways into Venice, but it was about a 20-25 min bus ride each way.
If you're not dead on your feet, you could go into Venice for a nice dinner and then come back to crash. (bus is cheap, don't know about a cab). I don't think the hotel restaurant starts serving dinner till after 7 pm.
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Thu Sep 11th, 2008 02:14 am | 24th Post |
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seawitches wrote: Hotel booked................... sigh of relief........ transfers booked...... sigh of relief............... Now bring on the party.... Flaming Sambucca's... Vino...Ozo............Whirling Dervishes, Belly Dancers, Greek Folk Dancing... O' Sol Lo Mi OOooooooo
I would sooooo love to be with you and Pearl when you do this!
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seawitches
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Posted: Thu Sep 11th, 2008 02:20 am | 25th Post |
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| I'd love to be learning some greek folk dancing and belly dancing. Great way to pass by the winter blahs....
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