Uniworld River Countess Embarkation in Venice, Italy
Uniworld River Countess Embarkation in Venice, Italy
Exploring the Venetian Lagoon and Po River with Uniworld River Cruises
WJ Tested: Day 1 – Joining Uniworld River Countess in Venice
For us, starting a cruise in Venice is completely magical, so taking the train from Rome to the city of canals and bridges was the ideal mode of transport for us to use for travel between two of our favorite Italian cities. Arriving at Venice Santa Lucia station in the early afternoon we decided that this train station must offer arriving passengers one of the most scenic views anywhere on the planet… to step outside and have a view of the Grand Canal is indeed a spectacular sight!
Arriving in Venice – View of the Grand Canal from Venezia Santa Lucia Station
We were in Venice to join Uniworld River Countess on her 7-night Venetian Lagoon and Po River cruise. Our cruise documents stated that River Countess would be docked at Venezia Terminal Passagieri at the San Basilio Port Facility, but that changes could occur without notice. So to be on the safe side (and not waste time hauling ourselves and our bags to the wrong embarkation location) we emailed the ship’s Hotel Manager (Emilia Madrigal) and received a quick reply stating that River Countess was actually docked at Marittima Cruise Ship Terminal (Pier 123). Having been to Venice to join an ocean cruise a couple of years earlier we knew exactly how to get to Marittima via the People Mover (a monorail tram system between Piazzale Roma and Marittima – costs 1 euro per person/per ride).
Bridges and Canals in Venice, Italy
Following the 5-minute ride on the People Mover we walked for about 15 minutes to where River Countess was docked at Marittima 123 (it was a bit difficult to find as there weren’t any signs and the port workers had no idea where the ship was located). Within an hour of getting off the train we were walking up the ship’s gangway with our luggage.
Veronika at the reception desk greeted us, suggested we leave our luggage in the lobby and that lunch was available if we were hungry. She wasn’t sure what time we would be able to check-in to our stateroom but an announcement would be made when they were ready. So, we went up to the Osteria Siena and enjoyed a delicious light lunch of antipasti, salads and pizza accompanied by a refreshing Italian beer.
Lunch at River Countess Osteria Siena
At 2:20 pm Veronika made the announcement that passengers could now check-in and so we made our way back to the reception desk. Here we handed over our passports (Italian rules and regulations) and had our photo taken for the key card and security. Next we were shown to our lovely stateroom (422) by one of the dining room crew, Laurentia.
As we were in no hurry to go into the city (we had explored Venice for a few days the previous week) we decided to unpack, send a bag of laundry to housekeeping and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon relaxing aboard the ship.
Tip: Uniworld River Heritage Club members receive 1 bag of free laundry per passenger/per week
Uniworld River Countess and Captain Richard Martin
At 5:45 pm Captain Richard Martin from the Netherlands started the emergency drill. All passengers met in the Castillo Lounge where Captain Martin gave his in-depth and interesting safety presentation. The Captain also explained that due to Italian regulations passengers are not allowed to sail on the section that crosses the Adriatic Sea. Therefore, guests will be required to go on excursions that day or go to a hotel (that Uniworld arranges) if they do not want to visit the sites on those days.
Uniworld River Countess Hotel Manager Emilia Madrigal
From 6:05 pm until 6:15 pm Hotel Manager Emilia Madrigal from Spain went over details concerning the hotel side of the operations:
– key card scanning on/off ship for security
– ship telephone numbers
– lounge open 24 hrs
– bar open from 9 am until last passenger leaves
– reception desk
– front office
– cashless system on board – use key card to charge to account & settle account at end of cruise
– Savoy restaurant – deck with #4 cabins
– Dining room seating – sit with anyone you want and where you want
– stone pizza oven in Osteria Siena
– patio on level 2 – homemade cookies and coffee/tea station
– fitness & spa area for massage
– level 1 – self-serve laundry with detergent tablets there
– laundry service & bag
– hygiene system – 2 sanitizing machines in lobby area to use every time you come back on ship
– water bottles in staterooms – for passengers to fill with purified water in patio tea/coffee station, reuse and take home
Uniworld Cruise Manager Martin Kummer
Next up was Cruise Manager Martin Kummer (from Austria), who shared that this was his 2nd Po River cruise and explained his responsibilities – information, fun, port talks, etc. Martin also shared that while the daily program for the next day would be put in cabins every night it could also be found on our stateroom TVs (as a Power Point presentation). As Uniworld no longer makes public announcements guests are personally responsible for joining in… or not. Also, excursion departures are prompt and on time – if we wanted to be included we needed to make sure we were, too. We would only have 27 passengers to each excursion bus and each bus group would have a name (not just a number) – i.e. Puccini, Verdi, Tiziano, etc. Martin also gave a brief description of the 2 optional excursions available the next afternoon in Venice and that those wanting to participate needed to sign up right away.
Following the emergency drill and briefings it was time to make our way to the Savoy Restaurant for dinner (7 pm). We sat at a table with a view of Giudecca Island and the busy canal – with ships and boats of all sizes passing by. Our server, Laurentia, from Eastern Europe was well versed in the menu offerings and very knowledgeable of the wine being served at dinner.
As we dined on our four-course meal of delectable local and regional fare, River Countess started a cruise in the Venetian Lagoon just as the sun had set. The night lights of Venice provided a magical illumination of the city and it was a wonderful way to end our first day aboard the ship.
View from River Countess Savoy Restaurant – Giudecca Canal in Venice
When we returned to our cabin (around 9 pm) housekeeping had already returned our laundry and the clothes were either nicely folded or on hangers. Now that’s service!
Laundry is Returned Promptly on Uniworld River Countess
After a very full and fun day it’s definitely time for bed… Buona Notte!
Next… Venice Walking Tour and Doge’s Palace
Previously:
If You Go:
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
- Uniworld Po River & the Venetian Lagoon
- Uniworld River Countess
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