We just returned very early this morning from a cruise on the Golden ending in Venice. We stayed in Venice a few days extra before flying home. There is a land route from the railroad station and the car parking area in the Piazza Roma and the cruise ship docks. We docked in the commercial dock area in dock 18. We walked from the ship to Piazza Roma to pick up a Venice Card and saw taxis heading towards the docks.
You are going to enjoy the cruise or at least we did. But be prepared for the heat. It was extremely hot in every port we visited.
The ship, it's crew and the food were GREAT.
By the way the regular water bus routes do not go to the cruise docks for some reason. Princess has a $10 pass available that allows you to go back and forth between St Mark's square and ship as many times as you like. There are water taxis at the railroad station that will drop you off in the cruise terminal area but I heard they were pretty expensive in spite of it being a short trip.
I would NOT advise trying to walk from the railroad station to the ship while carrying your luggage. Beside the fact Venice is very hot right now it would be a tough walk.
Enjoy your cruise.
