Picture this: the salty Venetian breeze, the soft movement of the lagoon waters, and the stunning Venice skyline stretching out in front of you. Sound like a dream?
That’s exactly what I was experiencing during my catamaran cruise in Venice.
Seeing my favourite city from this 20 metre long catamaran gave me the chance to discover the beauty of this city but from a different angle for the very first time.
If you like the idea of getting away after a morning or afternoon on the busy streets of Venice and want to lay-back and sail your way through one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, simply board this catamaran cruise and let the rest happen!
Venice Catamaran Cruise experience
In this guide, I’ll share my personal experience of how I hopped on board the iconic ‘No Stress’ catamaran cruise that you can also do while visiting Venice.
To give you the full picture, I’ll explain a couple of things worth knowing before boarding the boat, why it’s worth your time, what you can expect once on the water.
The last but not least, I’ll show you how to book your experience. It’s also worth noting that this was the highlight of my last trip to Venice, hands down!
Is it worth it doing a Catamaran Cruise in Venice?
The answer is a resounding YES, and here’s exactly why:
- Most tourists still don’t know about this experience. The majority of people visiting Venice believe that the only way to explore Venice is on foot, by gondola or vaporetto. On the catamaran, you get to look at famous sights like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, but also lesser known islands, from a special angle and surrounded by the peace of the lagoon.
- The ‘No Stress’ catamaran is all about comfort. It’s spacious, with plenty of room to stretch out, relax, and soak up the sun. Unlike water buses that can be cramped and crowded, this experience felt more exclusive. The catamaran offers ample choice of seating with both normal bar chairs and tables but also small sofas. There are also shaded areas at the front.
- During the Spritz tour catamaran cruise you can enjoy chill out music in the background, 2 complimentary drinks, and get more drinks from the open bar while you sail. There are other cruises you can choose from, available from 12pm to 10pm. For example, this sunset jazz cruise offers live saxophone jazz music, cicchetti and 2 free drinks. There’s something about sipping a cool drink while watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink that hard to beat.
How to do a Catamaran Cruise in Venice
Are you already sold on the idea of cruising the Venetian lagoon on a catamaran?
Keep reading below, to find out important information to know before your cruise, including what to expect when you are on board and things I liked the most.
Things to know before arriving
Below I will note some things to take into account before you get to the catamaran.
Departure Point
The catamaran cruises depart from Riva dei Sette Martiri, opposite the Ristorante La Nuova Perla. It’s a 12 minute walk from St. Mark’s Square and 2 minutes walk from the vaporetto stop Arsenale. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before departure.
Route
The typical route will take you around the Venetian lagoon with views of:
- St. Mark’s Basin
- Giudecca Canal
- San Giorgio Maggiore
- San Servolo
- Lazzaretto Vecchio
- Lido
- Sant’Elena island
- Castello where it ends (back to the starting point)
Different Experiences
There are several leisure cruises to choose from! This is great because it means you can adjust your schedule accordingly and get on board at your convenience.
Whether you prefer a day time cruise like the Spritz Cruise Tour at 2pm that I did, a late afternoon session with a jazz saxophone or classic music.
Or, you can opt for the popular sunset cruise, there’s something for everyone.
Booking Information
with thousands of amazing reviews on Google and Tripadvisor, joining a catamaran cruise in Venice is a no brainer!
Here you can book either the:
I recommend booking ahead of time, especially during the summer months when the slots can fill up quickly. You can also stop by if you happen to be around the area, and see if they have any last minute availability.
What happens on the Catamaran Cruise?
As I stepped onto the catamaran, I knew this was going to be a different kind of experience. The crew welcomed all guests with a smile, and shortly after we were off!
On board, the atmosphere was relaxed, being there towards the end of the season had its extra perks! There were not many people on board and there was plenty of space to move around, change seats and relax wherever you please.
One key difference I found, is that these catamaran cruises focus on taking it easy and relaxing on board. Forget about party catamarans with loud music. That’s why the experience fits well with the elegant and luxurious style of the city itself.
The sound of mellow music in the background, as people sat in the shaded areas near the bar while other guests chose to lounge on sofas at the front.
The cruise lasted 90 minutes, during which we sailed along the Venetian lagoon, passing by stunning landmarks like Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Campanile.
Not to mention, landmarks such as Basilica Santa Maria della Salute and even Hilton Molino Stucky the wonderful 5 star hotel that is popular with many travellers.
We also sailed by smaller, quieter islands in Venice like San Servolo and Lazzaretto Vecchio which is where plague victims were buried in the 15th and 17th centuries.
Also, note that anytime during the cruise, you can head to the bar and order your drink. There are 2 drinks included in the price of the tour. Depending on the cruise you booked, there could also be a light lunch, cicchetti or a meal included too.
See my guide to cicchetti in Venice to learn more. I had a Spritz Select a few minutes after setting off, just to set the right mood and midway a refreshing glass of Negroni.
What I liked about the Cruise
A few things I would like to mention that I liked about it:
The peace: Venice is crowded, especially from spring to autumn, which basically corresponds to the long peak season. The catamaran cruise is the perfect escape, like a little slice of paradise, away from the hustle and bustle.
The views: it’s not my first time on a boat in Venice. The only other time I had such an epic adventure was on a friend’s boat. Venice is beautiful from any angle, especially from its lagoon, which I see as one of the world’s most incredible places.
The overall experience: having the chance to talk with Andreas, the friendly catamaran owner, and with other guests on board, made the experience even better!
Venice Catamaran Cruise
The Venice catamaran cruise is absolutely worth it. Whether you’re looking for a romantic sunset evening, spend a couple of hours of laughs and fun with friends, or just a way to see Venice from a different perspective, this experience delivers.
The combination of comfort, luxury, and stunning views makes it one of the best activities I’ve done in Venice—and I can’t recommend it enough.
So, what are you waiting for? If you’re planning a trip to Venice or just looking for something special to do while you’re there, book your catamaran cruise and get ready to sail into one of the most beautiful experiences that you can do in Venice.
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