Desire Venice Pre-Cruise

Desire Venice VIP Pre-Cruise Itinerary

Day 1: Saturday September 23, 2017 – Welcome to Venice

• Water Taxi Transfer from Marco Polo Airport Venice (VCE) to Hotel in St Marks Basin.
• Cicchetti Pub Crawl

Day 2: Sunday September 24, 2017 – Exploring the Islands of the Lagoon

• Wander our beautiful neighborhood and explore —- or sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
• Water Taxi to Murano for Glass Factory Tour and Demonstration
• Explore Murano and Burano Island
• Vaperetto Ticket to return to Venice
• Roof Top wine reception

Day 3: Monday September 25, 2017 – The Art of Seduction

• Start the morning off with some sight-seeing or sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
• Mask Shopping at the famed Ca’ Macana.  They craft authentic handmade masks in the same way Venetian artisans would do 800 years ago. No design is ever repeated, so each mask is unique. Ca’ Macana provided masks for the film Eyes Wide Shut by Stanley Kubrick
• Optional Mask Making Workshop at Ca’ Macana ($ additional cost)
• Sight seeing on your own:  Lynn recommends a tour of Rialto Fish Market (early morning), The Dodge Palace, St Marks Square.

Day 4:  Tuesday September 26, 2017 – Embarkation

• 12 noon – Group transfer to the cruise terminal.

What to Pack & Theme Parties

There are plenty of theme parties on the cruise and we did not want to add to your luggage.

Daytime attire should be comfortable.  Temperatures should be 65-70.  At night it will dip into the lower 50’s.  On the water this feels chillier than inland.  We will be walking and in open air, so plan accordingly.

There will be lots of walking so make sure to bring comfortable shoes.

Here is a hint: One night we may make use of your Venetian Masquerade costume… so make sure to bring one!

The theme parties on this cruise are designed help you step into expressing your inner desires.  Let go, immerse yourself in the fantasy of it.  Guests who dress in theme report more social interaction and more fun.

You can go all out on a costume or simply echo the theme with an accessory.  Not in the mood? No problem it’s all about doing your own thing with your partner and having a wonderful time.

What’s Included in the Venice VIP Pre-Cruise

The Perfect Location in Venice

Located on the Riva degli Schiavoni Promenade with breathtaking views of St. Marks Basin.

The rooftop terrace has a spectacular view.  It is an awesome place to enjoy your welcome gift bottle of prosecco or to meet other cruisers at our Roof Top Sunset Wine Party – Meet & Greet on Saturday.   We don’t think this cute Italian guy in a white jacket will be there, but you never know.

Just steps from the hotel you will find famed St Marks Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the rest of the treasures of Venice.

We have a variety of room Categories available.  Please See the room descriptions and prices at the bottom of this page.

There are 118 islands, 416 bridges, 177 canals and in Venice.  Getting around will be bit different than what you are accustomed to.

Desire Venice Pre-Cruise VIP Transportation Package Included:

• Water Taxi Transfer from Marco Polo Airport Venice (VCE) to Riva Cà di Dio for our host hotel on St Marks Basin.
• Water Taxi Group transfer Host Hotel to Cruise Terminal
• 3 day ACTV Tourist Travel Card – Ticket for Unlimited Vaporetto Transportation

Group Activities:

Most of this pre-cruise package is designed for you to have independent time to explore and enjoy.  We have included a few things that are must do cultural events.  Keep in mind none of it is ‘mandatory.’  It’s your vacation, relax and enjoy.

Roof Top Wine Reception – Meet & Greet
We have contacted our favorite wine broker to source fabulous vintages for our Sunday evening reception at our host hotel.  Weather allowing, the roof top terrace will provide a spectacular back drop for getting to know fellow cruisers.

Cicchetti Crawl:  One of Lynn’s passions is the food of Venice.  This informal tour will give you a  chance to sample some of the best food in Venice and in true pub crawl style we will include a map incase you get lost or want to wander on ahead of the group. Note: food & drink cost are not included in this pub crawl.

Pronounced “chee-KET-eeh,” cicchetti are Venice’s answer to Milan’s aperitivo and to Spain’s tapas. They’re small plates of food, usually nibbled over glasses of wine and among friends. Served at bàcari (“BAH-car-eeh”), small, local bars hidden all over Venice, they’re also cheap, ranging from about €1 to €3.  What’s on offer depends on the place.   

I like the idea of making this my evening meal.  During our cicchetti “crawl” we will visit several fantastic bacari.  I find a meal cicchetti probably comes cheaper, better, and in a more local atmosphere than food in most restaurants in Venice!

We will start early (at about 5 p.m.), since many bàcari close at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

Murano Glass Factory Tour: No trip to Venice can be complete without an escape to the Venetian Lagoon’s two most prized islands of Murano and Burano.  Our tour will take our group by water taxi to a glass factory in Murano. See the ancient arts of glassblowing by master artisans. Note:  There is a heavy pitch to buy Murano art glass after the tour as we exit thru their show room.

Following the Glass factory tour we will wander thru the lovely village of Murano.  Since we will all have unlimited vaperetto tickets the next move is up to you.  Travel back to spend the afternoon sight seeing in Venice or join other group members for a visit to the near by island of Burano for an independent tour.  Burano is really worth the trip. This island is a fishing village know for its artisan lace making and the colorful ‘chocolate box’ houses that line Burano’s picturesque canals.

Included in your Desire Venice VIP Pre-Cruise Package:

• 3 nights accommodations in a 4 start hotel on St. Marks Basin
• Full Breakfast Daily
• VIP Transportation Package
  • Water Taxi Transfer from Marco Polo Airport Venice (VCE) to our host hotel in St Marks Basin.
  • Water Taxi Group transfer Host Hotel to Cruise Terminal
  • 3 day ACTV Tourist Travel Card – Ticket for Unlimited Vaporetto Transportation

• Roof Top Sunset Wine Party – Meet & Greet
• Group Outings -Cicchetti Crawl & Murano Glass Factory Tour

Not Booked on the Desire Cruise Yet?[Click Here]

Superior Double Lagoon View – Sold Out

Lagoon view. 25 sq meters. Treat yourself with the wonderful view of the charming Riva degli Schiavoni & the Grand Canal. The very spacious room is furnished in classic Venetian style with hand-blown Murano glass chandeliers and original parquet floors. Living area with comfortable arm chairs.

Panoramic – Sold Out

40 sqm -This accommodation offers four windows with small balconies on the lagoon.  Elegant bathroom with walk-in rain shower.

Junior Suite – On Request

30 sq meters.  3rd floor. Spacious and bright rooms with cosy living area.  Views on the garden, a little canal and also on the lagoon. Small balcony. Elegant bathroom, walk-in rain shower.

 Superior Double Courtyard View – Sold Out

20-25 sq meters. Freshly renovated spacious and calm double room with view on the garden or an inner court yard.  Modern and up-to-date bathroom with walk in shower.

Terrace – Sold Out

Small and cozy room with a spectacular private terrace with seating.  5th floor.

Deluxe – Sold Out

30 sq meters. Lagoon View. The gem of the hotel impresses with high palazzo ceilings and grand dimensions, Murano chandeliers, parquet and classic venetian furniture.

We recommend travel insurance.

Travel Insurance

Yikes, travel insurance is not a fun topic but a lot of you have asked…
This is about what happens if you are paid, packed and ready to go… and there is a problem.

The biggest 2 reasons people take insurance are:

• Trip Cancellation
• Medical Expenses or Medical Evacuation

Full Ship charters are better than regular cruises in many ways, however the penalties and potential for a loss if you have to cancel is higher. Shortly after final payment most full ship charter cruises become non-refundable. That means if you have to cancel your trip not only do you have that disappointment of a cancelled vacation, but I have to tell you you don’t get your money back.

Our most popular insurance is ‘World Wide Trip Protector’ and provides full coverage when purchased up to 21 days after your vacation purchase.

The best value just to make sure you have coverage is ‘Trip Protector Lite Expanded.’

We recommend Travel Insured – Get a quote and buy insurance  
Note: this link opens a window for Travel Insured – if you have questions pleases phone our office for assistance.

Please consider purchasing Travel Insurance

Since everyone pretty much likes me right now and I’d like it to stay that way, please consider purchasing travel insurance. Or at least don’t say I didn’t warn you if there is a problem.

Other coverages that take the worry out of travel:

• Trip Interruption – Return air only
• Trip Delay & Missed Connection coverage
• Baggage Loss or Delay
• Cancel for Work Reasons Options available on select policies

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your upcoming cruise. There are hundreds of circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early or force you to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling. Travel insurance offers coverage for unforeseen problems such as, an unexpected financial change or scheduling conflict, a cancelled flight or a serious illness. You even have the option where you can cancel for any reason. We recommend Travel Insured – Get a quote and buy insurance

There are touches that make any event special.  We are thrilled to have Goddess Phoenix joining us as a hostess during our Venice Pre-Cruise event before the Desire Venice Cruise.

This is a rare opportunity to have 1:1 social time with one of the worlds leading Dominatrix. There is a little kink in all of us.  Find out what thrills you.

Not sure you believe that? Take a look at this article: ‘5 Kinky Thinks Swingers Enjoy’