Cruise Ports Venice 2026 — Marghera, Marittima, Fusina and Porto Venice
In a nutshell: Since 1 August 2021, cruise ships over 25,000 gross register tons may no longer pass through the St Mark’s basin channel in Venice. Large liners (MSC, Costa, Viking Ocean) now dock at the industrial port of Marghera on the mainland. Medium-sized ships use the Fusina terminal in the southern lagoon, small yachts and sailing ships still berth at the Stazione Marittima, and river ships directly at Porto Venice in the lagoon. This news overview explains who docks where, how the journey to the centre works and what has changed for 2026.
Four ports — who docks where?
Porto Marghera (mainland)
The industrial port of Marghera is 8 kilometres west of Venice on the mainland. Since 2021 all large liners have docked here: MSC Lirica and MSC Armonia weekly (Saturday and Sunday respectively, May–November), Costa Deliziosa weekly (Saturday, May–September), and the Viking Ocean ships (Vesta, Star, Neptune, Jupiter, Mira) at various times. The Explora II of MSC’s luxury brand Explora Journeys also docks here.
Getting to St Mark’s Square: shuttle bus to Piazzale Roma (15 min., free for passengers with most cruise lines), then vaporetto line 1 or 2 to St Mark’s Square (a further 30 to 45 min.). Most cruise lines offer guided shore-excursion tours directly from the ship by bus to St Mark’s Square.
Stazione Marittima (historic centre)
The Marittima terminal on the western edge of the island is only approved for ships under 25,000 GRT. Berthing here are Star Clippers (Royal Clipper and Star Clipper, tall ships), Ponant (Le Boréal, Le Bougainville, luxury expedition), the Ritz-Carlton Ilma and smaller yachts. For these passengers the relocation is worthwhile: from the Marittima it is 25 minutes on foot to St Mark’s Square or 10 minutes by vaporetto line 5.1/5.2.
Fusina (mainland, southern lagoon)
Fusina is 12 km south-west of Venice and is used by some medium-sized ships and premium lines such as Silversea. Getting there: a special Fusina vaporetto line to the Zattere (45 min.). Less well known to many travellers — if you arrive with Silversea, have the port call confirmed in advance.
Porto Venice (island)
Porto Venice, directly in the lagoon, is the calling point for river ships and small yachts: the Uniworld SS La Venezia and CroisiEurope MS Michelangelo use this berth very often — both often have a multi-day stay, because they use Venice as a route endpoint, not as an intermediate stop. From Porto Venice it is only 1.5 km to St Mark’s Square, so 15 to 20 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by water taxi.
Who no longer docks in Venice in 2026?
The port change became economically problematic above all for lines with a mass-tourism model. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line have largely cut Venice from their Mediterranean programme since 2022 and replaced it with Trieste or Ravenna. If you used to expect the spectacular entry into St Mark’s basin, you’ll find these lines today in the eastern Adriatic ports.
Important: access fee for cruise passengers
A point that surprises many cruise passengers: on the 60 valid days in 2026 between 3 April and 26 July, cruise passengers pay the €5/10 access fee if they enter the historic centre. An overnight stay on the ship in Marghera does not count as a hotel stay in the sense of the regulation. Cruise-line shore excursions usually cover the fee collectively — if you make your own way to St Mark’s Square, you are responsible for booking the QR code in advance via cda.ve.it.
Getting to the port (for travellers with a cruise booking)
- From Marco Polo airport to Marghera: taxi €25–35, ATVO shuttle €8 (via Piazzale Roma).
- From Santa Lucia station to Marghera: vaporetto line 2 or 5.1 to Piazzale Roma, then a city bus or cruise-line shuttle.
- From Mestre station to Marghera: city bus line 6 or 17, or taxi €10–15 (12 min.).
- Park-and-cruise: Tronchetto €21/day, San Giuliano €15/day, Parclick from €8/day.