Mediterranean Iconic Shores Ocean Cruise

Day 18: Sunday, November 16, 2025 - Venice, Italy

The day's statistics:
-  Weather: overcast, rainy, upper 40s to upper 50s
-  Steps: Linda: 12,509; Steve: 14,466

Awake, shower, prep, breakfast at the World Café, brush, head out for the day's excursion.
This morning's excursion was at 9:00 and called "At a Glance: St. Mark's Square", and our guide was Marina.
Getting to the destination city in the port was a little longer than usual. Rather than walk off the ship and take a bus somewhere, or walk, we had a shuttle boat ride of over a half hour - primarily because we think there was a no-wake and or a speed rule in place. And we even had a bit of a walk from the ship, throught the terminal, and to the dock where the boat was moored.
Most of the pictures were altered, either brightened or darked as needed.
Venice, the city of canals and bridges - some a little more famous than others.
We got to see some sights and architecture of the city on approach.









The boat docked at a small pier about three blocks from St. Mark's Square.
The group walked down an alleyway to a small plaza where the various Viking groups we gathering to meet with a local Venetian guide to take us around - it turns out Marina wasn't our "guide" so much as she was our "coordinator".





Our island guide was Guliano.
After gathering, we began our walk to St. Mark's Square, first taking a couple alleys before walking along the waterfront near the Doge's Palace.


Gondolas, while similar to taxis in that they take a passenger from one location to another for a fee, are different in that the fee that is charged is fixed, and the gondoleers aren't paid directly, but rather you buy a ticket for a ride.

And we continued on.


























The guided tour portion of our visit ended in front of Saint Mark's Basilica.

Guliano pointed out how to get to some additional highlights - Ponte di Rialto (aka Rialto Bridge) which spans the Grand Canal, Doge's Palace - and even how to get into the Basilica (it was free but required a timed ticket).
After parting ways with and Guliano, and before we left the immediate area, we saw Piazza San Marco - or Saint Mark's Plaza - and a couple that looked like they were taking wedding photos.


We also walked around the Basilica to see the statues and mosaics.











Then we headed over to the Rialto Bridge, which required a fair amount of weaving through the city but for only about fifteen minutes. Fortunately, there were plenty of signs pointing the way.








There were a few restaurants along the way, one of which was a stone's throw from the Rialto.



The Rialto Bridge is probably the most widely known bridge in Venice. It was originally made of wood, and was destroyed by fire a couple times so it was decided to make it out of stone - and a Swiss architect designed it.
Up the middle of the bridge are a series of booth shops with a pass-through at the very top to cross over to the other side.



While we were on the Rialto bridge, we squeezed into a space to take a selfie.

We left the Rialto bridge and I noticed the crowd was actually thinning out. So I left Linda at the bottom of the stairs and ran back up for the shots - included above. On the way back, I got these.


Our goal at the bridge was just the photo op, so we headed back toward Saint Mark's, and beyond.



At one point we came upon a church. That was open. And we stepped inside.







And we continued on.



While it was overcast, it was finally starting to rain just a little. So we ducked into a small random café and enjoyed a cup of coffee - that included a little cookie - while we warmed up a little and relaxed.
There was a larger space in the back of the café too.



After about a half-hour, we headed out again and continued on to Saint Mark's - but we didn't pass along the waterfront yet.

This is probably the second most famous bridge in Venice - the Bridge of Sighs. One story is that the view from this bridge is so beautiful, that it makes someone sigh. The other story is that this is the bridge that prisoners cross going from the palace to the jail, and they sigh because this is the last breath of fresh air they will have if not for a long time, for the rest of their lives.
The crowd looking in this direction is clearly visible on the bridge over there.

Not long after the Bridge of Sighs, we were passing an older couple that had their Viking Vox lanyard visible. We said "hi". They asked if we knew where the gathering spot was. We did, and asked if they wanted to walk along. They did. We chatted with them as we walked and the ladies were walking very fast while the gentleman and I lagged behind a little. I was tall enough to be able to keep an eye on them, but they really were going at a decent clip. Eventaully we arrived at the boat docks and I indicated that we were supposed to meet in the plaza down the alleyway. They waited there, I went to the plaza and sure enough, we were supposed to be in the plaza as the guides were trying to do headcounts. I went back to the docks and got Lindd as our group was in the plaza. The couples group was unable to be found - it turns out their group had already left to go back to the ship. We informed Marina of the couple's dilema, and she informed her peers.
We did what we could for the couple, but it was out of our hands now.
Eventially our group had gathered and we headed to the boat.


After everyone was present, we headed to the dock.


We boarded and sat on the same side of the boat - but because we were going in the other direction, I had a better view of the other side of the waterway.



While we were underway, one of the guide mentioned that there was a porpose in the water but by the time everyone looked, it didn't come up again. But I was able to get a picture of it before anything was said. And then showed it to the guide as proof that it indeed existed...




The boat arrived at the dock, we disembarked, walked to the terminal building - that, conveniently had some shops, passed through security, and embarked on the ship.

Time for lunch.
Actually, it was late for lunch. While the World Café was still open, we decided to forgo the buffet lunch and we headed to the Explorer's Lounge - with our cards.
But we didn't go without something to eat. So for the first time we picked something up at Mamsen's. We both had a shirmp sandwich. And this isn't a shrimp salad - it's plain shrimp on a lettuce leaf on a slice of bread with lemon aioli. It was REALLY good.

After a couple hands, I took a look out the window. The city is much nicer to look at than the port...

And it continued to rain, so leaving the city was a little worth it.
We continued our cards, relaxing, and before too long... it was almost evening.
As we left the Lounge, I captured a couple more shots of the stars in the passageway at the entrance of the lounge.


And right after the starfield passageway was this plaque and letter on the wall.
The postcard on top of the second image was signed by Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, and was carried around by Lene Tangevald-Jensen, the "godmother of the Viking Vesta [this ship]".

On the way to The Restaurant, we stopped by Guest Services to ask about the elderly couple from the plaza. Dora knew exactly who we were talking abouot and told us that they eventually got to the terminal, and had a taxi scheduled to take them back to the ship. It was almost 6:00 PM.

We made our way to The Restaurant for dinner, sitting at our usual table #53.

Linda had the Crab Mac & Cheese, Savory Mushroom Tart, and Strawberry & Yogurt Timbale.



I had the Thai Prawn Soup, Grilled Marinated Swordfish, and Chocolate Cherry Stack.

We took our wine and finished up in the atrium while listeding to some music.
And then headed to our cabin to relax and get to sleep.

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