one day in Ravenna

I'd change cruise line. Joking aside there isn't much in or around Ravenna except for Dante's tomb and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe (and a few more basilicas). It's a quaint town though and considering the short time window, I wouldn't venture to Bologna or you might miss the boat.

Ravenna is world famous (World Heritage Site) for its Byzantine mosaics and, if you are interested in history and art, well worth a visit. If not it is a small town which would not take long to look around. We enjoyed our day there, took it slowly, had a nice light lunch at the Ca'de Ven enoteca (beautiful old building) and finished off with a visit to the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra to see the mosaics unearthed in a private 5C house. http://www.turismo.ra.it/ http://www.cadeven.it/ristorante.php We have done the train journey from Bologna to Ravenna, it is a straightforward journey but can take up to 2 hours. I would be a bit nervous about going so far from your ship. You could try a visit to the nearer and attractive town of Faenza which is famous for ceramics. It is on our to-do list for our next holiday in Bologna! http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com/en/locations/faenza-ra/details?ID=1466

Just to agree with the other replies: In your short time, and given the consequences of missing your boat, I'd spend the day in Ravenna. I found it a very pleasant town, aside from the Byzantine mosaics, so if your "tourism" is finished early, just walk around and explore until it's time to return to the ship.

I beg to differ with Roberto, but Ravenna has more to offer than S. Apollinare in Classe. The few other basilicas, so blithely dismissed by him, house some of the finest examples of Byzantine art in the Western world. Even if you think you aren't much interested in art, the interior of S. Vitale is stunning and should not be missed. Close by are the tomb of Galla Placidia and the Museo Nazionale. If those don't fill up your time, there are S. Apollinare Nuovo, and two baptisteries. When we were there a couple of years ago, an ancient Roman site had just been opened, called something like the Domus dei Tappeti Pietra (house of stone carpets), with lovely secular mosaics. In addition, Ravenna is a nice town for wandering and for getting a good meal. One thing I would do, if I were you, is to try to find out opening times for the various attractions. You don't want to waste morning time going to a place that opens only in the afternoon on your day. Everything except the church in Classe is within walking distance of everything else. If you get a town map, you could also plot an itinerary that minimizes retracing paths.

I completely agree with Rosalyn. We spent two full days in Ravenna this summer and could have easily spent a third. We will definitely be back. The mosaics are absolutely amazing, and San Vitale is unmissable. I'd plan to spend the whole day in Ravenna. If all day popping in and out of small churches and other historic sites isn't your thing, consider renting a bike from the TI for part of the time. There are some parks and secondary sites on the edge of town that would be fun to visit. Other than that, I loved the vibe of Ravenna. It is a small enough town to be manageable, but not so small that your cruise will over run it. Have a wonderful time.

Love Ravenna! The baptistry near San Vitale is still used for baptisms (I happened on to one two years ago), and the mosaics are fabulous.

Here's a site with a webcam aimed at one of the piazzas in Ravenna. Looks charming. http://www.comune.ra.it/La-Citta/Webcam

Ravenna is a wonderful city. We rented bicycles. An enjoyable and efficient way to visit the sights and tour the historic center.

Thank you all so much. Ravenna sounds wonderful- and I do worry about missing the boat, considering it could take two hours. I will print out your sightseeing recommendations (more thorough than anything else I've read!). My husband especially thanks you, because he says vacationing with me is like vacationing with General Patton. He'll be thrilled to have a more relaxed day. I also love the idea of renting bicycles. Thank you!!!

RS "Italy" guidebook has a very good section on Ravenna.