We recommend flying directly into Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport (Airport Code VCE). It provides the easiest direct access to the city.

On August 13, Le Lyrial will be docked at San Basilio – Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 30123 Venice, Italy.

On August 20 at the conclusion of our cruise, Le Lyrial will be docked at San Basilio – Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 30123 Venice, Italy. 

The currency of Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro is the Euro. As of December 2022, the exchange rate is:

1 USD = .94 Euro

1 Euro = 1.06 USD

American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are widely accepted. You’ll find that ATMs are readily available at the airport and in the city centers. 

Please note that US Dollars are NOT accepted for payment at most European businesses. 

All emails to our Booked Guests are available here:

May 3, 2023 – 101 Days to Go Until Our Cruise Down the Dalmatian Coast

We’ll preview your entertainment here approximately 30 days before our cruise.

Excursions will be sold onboard Le Lyrial. On Day 1, the Shore Excursions Manager will present all the available options and booking will take place shortly thereafter.

You have pre-paid basic gratuities. However, if someone goes above and beyond for you, you are more than welcome to offer them a few dollars (or more if appropriate) as an extended note of appreciation and grace. Collectively, those small thank yous add up and can make all the difference in the lives of these hard-working crew members.

Our recommended pre-cruise hotel in Venice is the Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice.*

To take advantage of the VACAYA savings, follow these simple instructions:

• Go to https://www.radissonhotels.com/
• Choose your destination and travel dates
• Under “Special rates” select “Travel agency ID” from the dropdown menu
• Enter code 33584202
• Click SEARCH
• You’re now on your way to SAVINGS as you take advantage of the best rates you’ll find anywhere!

Standard drinks are included for all guests. That’s house spirits, beer, select wines by the glass, sodas, juices, bottled waters, and specialty coffee drinks/teas.

Wines by the bottle are available for purchase from any of the bars or from your sommelier in the main restaurant.

PONANT sells a premium beverage package onboard that gives guests access to several available top-shelf alcohols (as designated in their bar menu onboard). That upgrade is 25 Euro per person per day (subject to change up until our sail date) and can be purchased from any bartender on Day 1.

Laundry services are available aboard Le Lyrial.

You’ll find laundry pricing, bags, and slips inside your stateroom. During your entire cruise, your steward or stewardess will be available for laundry and ironing services, which will be completed within 48-72 hours. You can contact PONANT for specifics on pricing at 888.400.1082.

Lost & Found is located at Reception on Deck 3. If you’re missing anything, be sure to check there first. And of course if you find anything, be sure to turn it into Reception so they can get it back to its owner with haste.

PONANT is renowned to have health care’s latest generation of equipment onboard their ships.

They also go beyond industry standards with the following additional provisions:

• The onboard Medical Team consists of one Physician and one Nurse, but the team can be scaled up at any time, if required. The inhouse Medical Team is available 24/7.
• Rapid diagnostic medical equipment in an isolated environment, with mobile laboratory terminals, allowing to test all common infectious diseases, potentially dangerous or contagious, tropical diseases, as well as cardiac distress syndromes.
• “Shore-hospital-like” professional diagnostic equipment: ultrasound, radiology, and blood biological analysis.
• Facilities for the management of respiratory distress
  • 3x 40ltr bottles of O2 to last 80 hours to 5 ltr/min or 200 to 2 ltr/min distributed in fixed general circuit
  • 5 portable 5-l bottles to last 6 hours to 2 ltr/mm
  • 1 O2 extractor
  • 2 respirators
  • Intubation kits
  • Intubation drugs
  • Resuscitation solute
• Pharmacy, which has been leveled up with specific Covid-19 dotation
• Specific training and drills performed regularly
• EVASAN (evacuation) plan ready at all times in case of emergency
• Infrastructure
• 1 resuscitation bed
• 1 intra-hospital isolation room
• Additional COVID Considerations

Continuous Control of Temperatures: Two thermic cameras will check the body temperature of all passengers and crew when passing by. Both will be placed at maximum transit points of guests and crew.

Two PCR Test Biologic Devices available onboard, with enough reactant for testing all guests.

The PCR testing of guests and crew will be implemented only if necessary. The doctor will be in charge for conducting the sampling and use of machine for testing. The positive results of diagnosis will be shared with CCMM (Maritime Medical Coordination Center in Toulouse, France), who will decide the next steps for managing the patient and their evacuation.

Monkeypox has been making its way through the LGBT+ community over the past year and has become somewhat problematic for gay men in some areas of the world. Monkeypox is a virus that includes a painful rash, which may look like pimples or blisters, and flu-like symptoms. Monkeypox spreads through close, personal, skin-to-skin contact.

We advise that you take all necessary preventive measures to avoid contracting or spreading the infection, including vaccination if currently available in your area. While the monkeypox vaccination can be hard to come by in some regions, we’re seeing an increase in production and availability that should continue to expand over the coming months.

The CDC says that if you were vaccinated against smallpox as a child that that inoculation offers someprotection against monkeypox. You can learn more about monkeypox and monkeypox vaccinations HERE.

If you’re experiencing symptoms suggesting you may have monkeypox, please see your healthcare provider immediately for treatment and be sure to limit your close contact with others.

For each of our adventures together, VACAYA hosts an Official Facebook Group. This group is your chance to connect with other Venice cruisers before we meet each other in-person. You can join the group HERE.

The parties on our Luxe cruises are certainly more of the cocktail variety, but if you’d like to throw on a costume and dance, by all means… you do you.

THIS IS ME
Our signature Night 1 cocktail party brings all our guests together for the very first time. This is your chance to meet, mix, and mingle with fellow travelers. Wear a little somethin’ somethin’ to let us know where you’re from.

BATHROBE NIGHT
In one of our favorite VACAYA Luxe traditions, you’ll throw on your bathrobe (the one from your room) at 6pm and wear it all night long – to pre-dinner drinks, to dinner, to the show, and to our after-party! Bring accessories for your robe… people have been taking this night to the next level!

CARNIVAL
It’s everyone’s Mardi Gras wish come true… a Venice Carnival-inspired masked ball DURING THE SUMMER! So strip down and mask up and beat the August heat!

101
We’re sailing the Dalmatian Coast, so go black and white for this fun afternoon of cocktails and puppy dog love.

THRONES
Inspired by the hit HBO series Game of Thrones (which filmed all over the area), give us your best royal lewk!

Your onboard magnetic card (we point out it’s magnetic to warn against placing it too close to your mobile phone, which could erase the information), which will be handed to you upon boarding is your room key. It’s also your onboard charge card and you’ll be asked for it to make onboard purchases. Whenever you leave the ship or re-board it in our ports of call, you’ll show your card to Security when leaving/returning.

When you board, you’ll want to register a credit card with Reception to cover any onboard purchases. You’ll receive a final invoice in your room on the last evening of your cruise. Assuming all of the charges are correct (and if not, be sure to speak with Reception), your card on file with PONANT will be automatically charged the morning of disembarkation. If you’d prefer to pay cash to close out your account, you will need to do that on our last night before they charge your card the following morning.

ALL GUESTS ARE NOW WELCOME, REGARDLESS OF THEIR COVID-19 VACCINATION STATUS. NO PRE-CRUISE TESTING IS REQUIRED. 

MOST of PONANT’s safety protocols are happening behind the scenes to minimize interruptions to the experience. So know that whatever the protocols end up being on our cruise, we are going to have a great time exploring together. #AdaptToLive 

One procedure that remains (and has for nearly all cruise lines) is the pre-cruise health questionnaire. You’ll complete this prior to boarding Le Lyrial. If you’d prefer to print it in advance at home and bring it with you to the pier (you’ll complete it within 24 hours of boarding), feel free. You can find PONANT’s Health Questionnaire HERE.

Le Lyrial is a NON-SMOKING ship. Smoking – including eCigarettes & Vape Pens – is not permitted in staterooms, on balconies, or in any public rooms. A small smoking area will be available onboard and we’ll point that out during our Day 1 Orientation.

And of course NEVER throw cigarette butts overboard. They can easily get sucked into the ship’s ventilation system and cause a fire.

The Spa’s beauticians and massage therapists are at your service on Deck 5 Aft and offer a wide range of treatments that can be booked once onboard. The Spa is typically open 9am to 8pm, but that could change slightly depending on our time ashore. Check your Daily Program (delivered to your stateroom each night with the following day’s schedule) for exact times.

Le Lyrial’s Fitness Center, also on Deck 5 near the Spa, is open 24 hours a day and contains several cardio machines for your use. There are no free weights in the ship’s Fitness Center. We recommend packing lightweight stretch bands that are great for resistance training, if needed.

VACAYA is all about connections. To help strengthen the bonds between our guests, we’re creating a “This Is Me” Community Board where pictures and fun facts of each of our guests will be featured. We’re hoping this new board will be a welcome addition to your VACAYA Luxe experience.

While participation is certainly not compulsory, we hope each of you will choose to join us. If you’d like to be included, please send the following to us prior to Friday, July 7:

• A Photo of you as an Individual or as a Couple (the orientation of the pics will be portrait, so think about that as you choose the best pic). Be sure the photo you choose is a clear face pic and no larger than 5MB.
• Your Name (or Names if a couple. Please indicate who’s who in the pic.)
• Your Hometown
• Your Relationship Status
• Occupation
• Family Info (children, pets, etc.)
• Interest/Hobbies
• Social Media Handle

You can send your photo and the above information to V Team Member Jen at jen@myvacaya.com. Simply click on that pink link to connect with Jen.

Please note that we won’t be able to add anyone to the board after the deadline. Shortly after July 7, the information we’ve received will be laid out by a graphic designer and the boards completed. Also, each This Is Me board is independent from past boards. So even if you’ve sent in your information for a past cruise, it won’t carry forward to this one. So, you’ll need to send it in again.

This Community Board will be posted in the ship’s Lobby on Deck 3.

Here is an example of what your entry will look like on the board:

PONANT ships have a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant onboard, which helps preserve the pristine waters through which we sail. To assure it can properly do its job, we need your full cooperation.

• Only use the biodegradable toilet tissue provided.
• Do not flush facial tissues, sanitary wipes, feminine hygiene products, condoms, cigarettes (you shouldn’t be smoking in your bathroom anyway), or any other materials, as they can affect the entire system and may cause embarrassing backups in your room AND in your neighbors’ rooms.
• Keep the toilet lid closed when not in use, and be careful not to drop towels, wash cloths, or personal grooming articles (including floss and Q-tips) into the toilet while flushing.

If you’re looking for assistance in planning your independent pre-cruise or post-cruise time in Italy, we recommend fellow IGLTA member Taols Luxury Travel. They provide a wide range of services from accommodations and transportation to tours and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You can explore their offerings and services HERE.

In today’s ever-shifting world, it’s imperative to protect your hard-earned vacation dollars. You can do that by insuring your investment. VACAYA partners with Travel Guard.

If you ever need to make an adjustment to your Travel Guard policy (for example, if your travel dates have shifted or you’ve added to your travel plans beyond our cruise), you can submit a policy modification request via Travel Guard’s online modification form. Modification requests must be submitted prior to your travel dates. Through this form, you can also change or add any pre- or post-cruise travel days or add additional trip costs (flights, hotel, etc.). Adding coverage for other items beyond your cruise (if that’s all that was covered in your original policy) may incur additional premium costs.

If you have questions, we encourage you to visit Travel Guard’s Resource Center, where you’ll find answers to many frequently asked questions. You can also speak with a licensed Travel Guard insurance agent by calling 800.826.5248.

A NOTE ABOUT TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE
If you’ve not purchased trip interruption insurance (that helps defray costs of hotel accommodations in case of a positive test result at the end of the trip), there’s still time to add it to your existing policy or originate a policy with most travel insurance carriers. Although we can’t consult on insurance, we are pointing out that these policies offer peace of mind for a reasonable price.

The easiest way to get from Venice’s Cruise Ship Terminal to Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is by water taxi. Explore the recommended list of water taxi companies HERE.

You should book your water taxi pick-up(s) in advance.

The easiest way to get from Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (VCE) to your hotel in Venice City Center is by water taxi. Explore the recommended list of water taxi companies HERE.

Water taxis are also a great way to get from our cruise ship to VCE Airport on August 20 at the end of our cruise.

You should book your water taxi pick-up(s) in advance. 

Complimentary WiFi is included. However, please keep in mind that the speed is more akin to old-school dial-up.

When you check in, you will receive ONE WiFi passcode for one device. This is done to ensure there’s enough bandwidth for all guests. If you need access on multiple devices, simply log out of one and log in to the other.

August in this region is typically hot, with high temperatures often exceeding 90°F (30°C). Evening lows barely dip into the upper 60s (around 20°C). The cool waters of the Adriatic will be a welcome respite from the heat throughout our voyage. 

Also keep in mind that if you’re visiting religious sites, you will likely be required to wear pants and cover your shoulders – meaning no shorts or tank tops for those visits. 

To expedite boarding and check-in, we encourage everyone to print their PONANT Luggage Tags at home and then attach them to your checked bags just prior to arriving at Le Lyrial. You can download and print PONANT’s Luggage Tags HERE.