MS Michelangelo: 110 metres that fit inside the Venetian lagoon
The MS Michelangelo is 110 metres long and 11.40 metres wide, and that size decides what you will actually see. An ocean ship stays offshore or docks at the Marghera terminal, a shuttle ride away. The Michelangelo sails into the lagoon and ties up a few minutes' walk from St Mark's Square. You walk down the gangway and you are already in Venice. The difference is not measured in comfort, it is measured in hours of your holiday.
The ship carries 150 passengers with 25 crew, one crew member for every 6 passengers. It was built in 2000 and refurbished in 2017, which means the last refit is 9 years old as you read this. It shows in the finishes rather than in the structure, and you are better off knowing before you board than discovering it when you open your cabin door.
Two decks, and what that means for your knees
The Michelangelo has 2 decks. CroisiEurope fits a lift to its 3-deck ships; this one does not have one. Every move between levels is by stairs, including the climb to the sun deck. If you are travelling with someone whose mobility is limited, settle that question before you settle the dates. We would rather tell you here than let you find out at the gangway.
The layout is simple. The restaurant sits aft on the main deck, the lounge-bar forward. One sitting, one room: nobody eats at 9 p.m. because the first service was full. The sun deck is laid out with loungers and gives an unbroken view. There is no pool, no spa and no gym on board. This ship was designed for looking at Venice, not for keeping you indoors.
A 4-anchor rating, and what it covers
CroisiEurope rates the Michelangelo at 4 anchors, its top river category. The rating covers service, dining and the fit-out of the public rooms. It does not cover cabin surface area, which CroisiEurope does not publish for this ship. We will not invent it: ask us for the deck plan before you choose and we will get it from the cruise line.
The Michelangelo in figures, against the rest of the fleet
110 metres long, 11.40 metres wide, 150 passengers, 25 crew, 2 decks, 4 anchors, built in 2000, refurbished in 2017. Set beside the 5 ships CroisiEurope operates on the Douro, which top out at 80 metres for 132 to 138 passengers, the 30-metre gap shows up mainly in lounge width and sun deck length. It does not show up as a lift: the 5 Douro ships have 3 decks and one lift each, the Michelangelo has 2 decks and none. That is the sort of comparison a brochure never makes, because it is selling both ships.
Getting there from Montreal
Venice is served non-stop from Montreal-Trudeau during the summer season. That matters when you compare two Italian itineraries: between boarding in Venice and boarding somewhere that requires a connection in Europe, there is half a day and one less suitcase transfer. Still plan a night on site before embarkation. A same-day delay cannot be recovered, because the ship leaves.
What is included and what is not
CroisiEurope includes full board from the welcome dinner to the final breakfast, drinks with meals and at the bar, and onboard entertainment. Shore excursions are not part of the base fare on every itinerary: they are booked as a package or individually depending on the departure. Gratuities are not included either, and neither is travel insurance. We itemise every line before you sign, and we tell you what the contract covers under Quebec consumer protection law and the FICAV compensation fund.
Who it suits, and who it does not
It suits travellers who want Venice early in the morning and late in the evening, when the ocean ships have unloaded their passengers elsewhere. It suits walkers, photographers, and anyone who has done a big ship and wants the opposite. It does not suit anyone looking for a pool, a show every night or a lift. On those three counts, look instead at our 3-deck ships: the MS Botticelli and the MV La Belle de l'Adriatique are in a different equipment class. The MS Vivaldi offers a third approach again. Our advisors compare all three with you, and the full fleet is on our CroisiEurope cruises page.
