I’d almost forgotten how to pack. And then the traveling mode came back to me. Just like riding a bike. A wobbly bike ride at first as we had to figure out if and when to get Covid tested before our July 17th flight to Venice, Italy. Travel rules and regs are fluid right now so you’ve got to pay attention. We were originally booked on a ‘Covid-tested’ Delta flight from ATL to VCE, but that route was cancelled and replaced with a connection from ATL to JFK to fly to Venice. We had to registered online with the Italian Ministry of Health to confirm our vaccination information and other details needed to score the QR code to enter Italy. A week and a half before our departure Italy announced that if fully vaccinated US visitors no longer had to show a negative Covid test to enter Italy. So, just like that the words “Covid tested flight” disappeared from our Delta reservation. One less hoop to jump through and it was back to the challenges of packing. Not too much, not too little. It will be hot in Venice and well, you need outfits for the Instagram photos! The photo above was taken our first night on board the SS. La Venezia, a river ship by Uniworld. At the last minute just before dinner I asked Agnes, the cruise director if she would take a photo of me on top of the ship to celebrate the moment. She snapped this shot and it ended up on Uniworld’s Facebook page and on the cruise line’s Instagram feed. I think it captures the moment perfectly as 43 passengers on a ship that could hold 125 set off as pandemic era pioneers on a 7 day cruise around Venice to explore the islands and beauty of the Venetian Lagoon.

It was comforting to know that Uniworld had already taken care of the worry we might have felt upon arrival at the Marco Polo Airport in Venice. We didn’t have to scramble to hire a water taxi or figure out where they were or wrestle with luggage. We were greeted by a welcoming committee with a Uniworld sign and reassuring smiles. Luxury may mean Champagne and deliciously smooth high thread count sheets, but today it also means ensuring a worry free travel experience. And that also means providing a safe and clean Covid-conscious protocol on board. Yes, there was a welcome drink and an invitation to forget about our bags, “They will be delivered to your stateroom!” But, something new was about to happen. We were escorted to the roof top terrace, shaded from the glaring midday Venetian sun by huge striped umbrellas and invited to take an instant Covid test. This was a spit test and the Uniworld staffer explained step by step how to use our individual kits. It felt kind of like an arts and craft class as we all followed along to build our kits and then waited to see the seconds later results that we were indeed still Covid-free.

OK, now it was time to start having some fun!!!! The waterways of Venice were all around us as we were docked very close to St. Mark’s Square at the Port of Venice. This is the place where the large cruise ships will NOT be allowed to dock starting August 2021. But, smaller ships such as our river cruise vessel, SS La Venezia are permitted to “park” here and it’s terrific because it’s a short walk to start exploring Venice with its 400 bridges and tiny winding lanes.

After a long day and overnight travel from Atlanta we were ready to relax and enjoy our first cocktails and dinner and toast to the adventure ahead. One more change due to pandemic times. We had to choose a table in the dining room where we would take all of our meals, all of the time. At this point in time, you’re not able to join new friends for dinner or do any table hopping. It was explained that this was for contact tracing should an outbreak occur.

Traveling with three friends, we chose two small tables near a window and to mix things up at least a bit, each day we moved around in our four assigned seats. Also, during breakfast and lunch there is a buffet and you must wear a mask while ‘shopping’ for your food and you cannot touch anything. A dining room staffer will serve you from the buffet set up. The foods are fabulous and I kind of like having someone serve me anyway.

Dinner service was something to dream about and look forward to every day. While a river cruise is not as dressy as many ocean voyages, we still cleaned up and dressed up a bit for dinner. Just seemed like the right thing to do to honor the elegance of the dining room and the multi-course menus.

Coming up next……our adventures into Venice including a private after hours tour of the St. Mark’s Basilica. And a little lesson on flooding in Venice today.