You'll board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Enjoy dinner on board and take advantage of a free evening in Venice.

Optional excursions at additional cost:

CLASSIC: Guided tour of Doge’s Palace. Also known as Palazzo Ducale, Doge’s Palace is one of the city's emblematic sites. The foundations of the current palace date back to the 12th century. The impressive building with a richly decorated interior is considered a Gothic masterpiece. Admire works by Tintoretto and Veronese as we stroll through the immense halls. We'll cross the famous Bridge of Sighs to the palace's prisons. Built in the 17th century, the bridge was once used to bring prisoners from their cells to the courtroom. The palace balconies and windows offer splendid views of the city and its canals. Enjoy some free time in Saint Mark's Square after the tour.

DISCOVERY: Venetian arts and crafts. Fall under the city's spell as you wander the charming streets. Only a few of the once-renowned Venetian skills remain in practice. We'll visit a squero, where expert craftspeople build and repair La Serenissima's famous gondolas. They work side by side, combining their talents, to produce the keels, oars, sculptures, and decorations of the romantic boats crisscrossing the canals. Next stop will be a mask-making shop to learn about the secrets and significance of the Carnival of Venice's distinguished art. The bases of the beautifully refined masks are made of paper-mâché, straw, fabric, or leather. They are then decorated with paint, beads, gemstones, and metal embellishments. Traditional styles include the Medico della peste, Bauta, Pantalone, Arlecchino, and Colombina. Enjoy some free time in Venice this afternoon. Don't forget to cross the Rialto Bridge as you stroll the streets of the most romantic city in the world. The bridge offers some of the best views of the canals and historic buildings. Enjoy a free evening to explore Venice on your own.

The morning will be spent cruising through the Venetian Lagoon. Take in the gorgeous views from the Sun Deck. The canals and islands form a giant maze as we glide past the bustling boats and unique scenery. We'll reach the island of Mazzorbo and cross the wooden bridge to charming Burano. Enjoy exploring Burano—known for its traditional lacemaking and picture-perfect homes—on your own.

Mid-afternoon, the optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion at additional cost: is:  Wine tasting at the Venissa Vineyard. The island of Mazzorbo has a well-kept secret: The Dorona grapes Gianluca Bisol and his son, Matéo, cultivate to make their Venissa wine. In 2009, as he exited the church on the island of Torcello, Gianluca Bisol noticed a vineyard in the adjacent gardens.  He talked to the owner of the garden as she worked, and she told him all about the vines plated by her father—including an ancient Venetian variety of grape called Dorona. The owner was considering destroying the vines before she and  Gianluca crossed paths. Little did she know she had the last 150 Dorona plants. The Bisol family decided to take the stems, cultivate the grapes, and produce the wine once served at the banquets within Doge's Palace. After considerable research, they now make a rare, unique, and valued wine based on ancient traditions.

Enjoy a free evening in Mazzorbo. Discover the timeless atmosphere on this small island, far from the hustle and bustle of Venice.

Our ship will spend the morning cruising to Chioggia. We will cross the Venetian Lagoon, which extends almost 30 miles (48 km). Its panoramic views have enchanted visitors since the beginning of time. To the south, a sandbar called The Lido protects the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. Take in this spectacular scene as you sip a cocktail on the Sun Deck.

This afternoon, the optional excursions at additional cost are:

CLASSIC: Visit Padua, the home of Saint Anthony. Padua is a must-see when in the Veneto region. The city is home to many distinguished sites, such as the medieval Palazzo della Ragione, the Piazza delle Erbe, and the Prato della Valle—a vast square surrounded by canals and statues. We'll visit the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, known as an edifice without a precise architectural style, mixing Romanesque and Byzantine elements with Gothic features.

DISCOVERY: The Palladian Villas. The Palladian Villas of the Veneto were built as secondary residences along the Brenta Canal for aristocrats during the time of La Serenissima.  Famous architects designed these sumptuous homes, and exceptional painters embellished them with frescoes—helping develop the concept of "vacation" between the 15th and 16th centuries. We'll set out by coach on a panoramic tour of the region, including a visit to the Villa Pisani at Stra, an impressive palace once owned by Napoleon and the House of Hapsburg.

We'll return on board the ship. We'll cruise to Venice as the sun sets, creating a marvelous show.

This morning, the optional excursions at additional cost are:

CLASSIC: Guided tour of Saint Mark’s Basilica (3) (only if pre-booked before departure). Saint Mark's Basilica is considered a Byzantine masterpiece, and for that reason, it is one of the most important churches in the city. More than 8,000 square meters of mosaic decorate the walls, vaults, and cupolas within the basilica, representing figures and stories from the Old and New Testaments.

DISCOVERY: Food tour of little-known neighborhoods in Venice. Savor Venetian delicacies during this guided walk. Our first stop will be the most famous pasticceria in the city to enjoy a delicious cappuccino and a variety of traditional Venetian cookies. Next, we'll stroll through the age-old San Polo area, where the Rialto Market has been held for almost 1,000 years.(2) The market is an authentic experience—from the daily catch to seasonal fruits and vegetables. Locals come here early in the morning for the best deals. It's a great place to lose yourself in Venice. The liveliest area is the fish market, with bountiful, colorful stalls full of fish and shellfish ready to be bought and cooked. Our next stop will be a typical osteria to enjoy a tasting of authentic Venetian finger foods known as cicchetti.

Enjoy some time exploring the city on your own this afternoon. Use the time to stroll down the sinuous callis and discover what lies off the beaten path. Discover the sottoporteghi passageways, hidden bridges, and countless chapels. And while you're walking, don't forget to look up at the treasures found above you.

Tonight is our festive gala evening.