Venice to Ravenna (train) and Transportation to the port

Why are you using Italia Rail? If you look on Trenitalia, the actual train company, you will see many more options—-pretty much hourly departures from Venezia Santa Lucia at 7:40, 8:40, 9:40, 10:26 (this one uses the fast Frecce train to Ferrara and arrives in Ravenna at 12:48),

What is your actual travel date?

Yes, your date of travel would be useful, since full train schedules aren't available too far in the future. And ItaliaRail is a 3rd party booking site. Use the Trenitalia website for schedules and booking. No need to book months in advance. To check train times, look up the correct day of the week within the next few weeks.

It's 15 km from the Ravenna train station to the cruise port. About 20 minute drive. Pre-book a taxi or shuttle. The Ravenna tourism website has info: https://www.turismo.ra.it/en/useful-services/shuttle-bus-ravenna-porto-corsini-cruise-terminal/

Thanks for replying.
I was using third party because I read it was easier for tourist. I downloaded the direct train app just now

10/10/24 cruise
I have to be on the ship before 3pm.

Will I have enough time to get on there and go through customs at the port by 3pm if I reach at 12:48pm?

October schedules not up til June 9 so whatever Italiarail is selling is wishful thinking on their part

You can look at schedules now same day of week to see options
The schedule won’t change much

Italian station names:
Venezia Santa Lucia
Ferrara
Ravenna

Trenitalia is just as easy to use and they also have an app

I find it insulting that some think tourists are too stupid to figure it out

Try Hotel Abbazia in Venice
Easy walk to station

https://www.abbaziahotel.com/

Take a cab from Ravenna station to port

If I reach Ravenna at 1245 pm will they give me an ample amount of time to clear customs and be in the ship before3

I was also looking at the layover.
Some were 10 minutes.
What is the recommended minimum layover to change trains ?

That would get you TO the ship by about 1:30-1:45

12:48pm ticket has a lay over is 6 minutes
(6 minutes to change to the other train)

Will I make it ?

Please go to the Trenitalia site and look at options for Thurs May 2 -( same day of week)
You will see several good options that give you a bit more wiggle room
I’d consider the 7:40 with change in Ferrara ( not Bologna)
Both legs are Regional trains so they can not sell out and price never changes
No need to purchase in advance

As posted above anything you buy on Italiarail now is wishful thinking. You can go ahead and purchase then expect to start receiving emails about schedule changes or you can wait til first week of June when the actual schedule is up and purchase directly from the actual train company
If you need help at that time come back here.

Strikes- no idea if Thursday is a “strike day”

The Shuttle Bus leaves Ravenna Station at 0920 and 1140.

Lets say the train from Venice is late (or even cancelled), or something else happens on the tracks you are then on the next train, so will get to the ship about 2.30pm. That feels to me very, very tight.

If I didn't want to stay in Ravenna the previous night I'd be getting myself up and moving from Venice on the train at about 8am. That is, barring a really major incident, going to get me to the ship around about 12 noon, maybe sooner. So probably boarding straight away, get to my cabin, have lunch and generally arrive relaxed. Why do something that could lead to stress when you don't have to?

What customs do you think you will be going through at the port. Unless this is a transatlantic cruise all I would expect to happen would be a scan of my passport at check in, and a light security check- nothing like airport security.

A tight connection is easier in Ferrara (which is a small train station) than in Bologna where you will likely need to walk quite a ways between trains.

I'd recommend asking this question on Cruise Critic where more posters have experience with boarding a cruise ship at Ravenna.

Not sure why you are concerned with a Customs check before boarding your cruise. Customs happens when you enter a country; not when leaving it. You MIGHT have an exit Passport check, but that should not require much if any wait; and only if the cruise is leaving the Schengen zone and not returning. You will have your cruise documents checked, and security (not unlike at airports). But that only takes minutes. In my experience, the earlier you show up for embarkation, the longer the lines. Everyone seems to want to be the first on board.

You have lots of options for trains, and it's way too early to be booking them. Ferrera is a small station. Look it up online. Getting from one track to another is very easy, as long as you can manage your luggage yourself.

10/10/24 cruise
I have to be on the ship before 3pm.

May I ask what ship you are sailing on? I looked at 2 different port schedule websites, and neither show a cruise ship embarking on October 10. If it's the NCL Viva, doesn't it embark in Trieste?

Thank you all. Everyone has been so helpful.

Is October 10th the correct date your ship sails from Ravenna?
I have also looked at the port schedules, and there don’t appear to be any cruise ships arriving or leaving on that date.

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/ravenna-port-261?month=2024-10#schedule

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/ravenna-italy-cruise-ship-schedule-2024.html

There must be a ship in that day, regardless of what schedules can be found on line, as that is one of the few days in Octobe when the city is running the port shuttle bus. It only runs when a ship is in port.

Don't count on being able to get a cab from Ravenna to the port on the morning of a cruise embarkation. Cabs will be in very short supply compared to the demand that morning. Sign up for the shuttle suggested above at https://www.turismo.ra.it/en/useful-services/shuttle-bus-ravenna-porto-corsini-cruise-terminal/ The shuttle is 20 euro per person and picks up from several locations. One location is the NH Ravenna Hotel, which is a very short walk from the Ravenna Train Station. You might consider staying in that hotel the night before and eliminating all the stress.

I’m thinking the OP’s ship is already in port from the night before.

Personally, I would stay in Ravenna the night before a cruise leaves.
It’s a charming town to start off the holiday in.