Sightseeing transfer from FCO to cruise port

[SweetSummertime]

We are sailing celebrity and they offer a transfer from airport to cruise port driving by and stopping at a handful of Rome sights. Due to time constraints we are arriving the day of departure and leaving the day of arrival. It says it is a 4.5hr trip/excursion/transfer for ~130pp.

 

Has anyone done this or something similar? Was it worth it? Suggestions?

[CathyCruises]

Well, you can book a private transfer for a lot less than that (for two) and custmize what you want to see. Try Romecabs or romeinlimo. Also try hooking up with someone from your roll call to share the ride with.

[SweetSummertime]

Thats a great idea. I suppose then we also will not be piled onto a large tour bus but rather a private van. We have 6-10 people in our group so overall it may save us some substantial $$$. Any suggestions on what to see in a few hours?

[HazyDavy]

From FCO, Rome is in the opposite direction than the cruise port.

 

So getting a driver to take you from FCO, to some the major sites in Rome, (ie, Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc.) for quick photo stops and then return back past FCO to the cruise port is going to entail several hours (most of it on the highway) and may involve significant traffic depending on the day of the week and time of day.

 

Obviously the way to do this is to stay in Rome a few days before you sail, but you mentioned this wasn't possible. You may be better advised to skip getting a glimpse of Rome this trip and head straight from FCO to the ship.

 

Yes, a private transfer with romeinlimo or romecabs is going to be better for your group than booking individually through the cruiseline.

[Johanna7]

From FCO, Rome is in the opposite direction than the cruise port.

 

So getting a driver to take you from FCO, to some the major sites in Rome, (ie, Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc.) for quick photo stops and then return back past FCO to the cruise port is going to entail several hours (most of it on the highway) and may involve significant traffic depending on the day of the week and time of day.

 

Obviously the way to do this is to stay in Rome a few days before you sail, but you mentioned this wasn't possible. You may be better advised to skip getting a glimpse of Rome this trip and head straight from FCO to the ship.

 

Yes, a private transfer with romeinlimo or romecabs is going to be better for your group than booking individually through the cruiseline.

 

This is good advice. I was surprised how far the Rome airport is from Rome. As we had a 6 p.m. flight we took the tour from the ship to the city of Rome to be dropped off later at the airport. Of course we got there 4 hours ahead of time. The tour was by bus and walking behind a guide with some stick thing in the air and we visited the Vatican and St. Peter's Church and the Colesseum. It was $155 each.

 

Full bus. Several passengers were dropped off at the train station and then we drove to the airport. Never realized how far it was. From FCO to Rome was barely an hour from the group tour that was nailed together from Cruise Critic and cost us only 20 euros each. No traffic snarls at all.

 

We had a tour of Rome while on a stop there years ago and it was much better and included the Sistine chappel, a great meal, the colesseum and in those days you could use the elevators but not now, only those with wheelchairs.

 

It was very hot which didn't help much. The guides were so-so. We had a ship tour in Athens and the guide was great. It seems to be the luck of the draw.

 

Enjoy the cruise, it is great. It is very port intensive. Only 2 sea days and you will need them.

[CathyCruises]

Thats a great idea. I suppose then we also will not be piled onto a large tour bus but rather a private van. We have 6-10 people in our group so overall it may save us some substantial $$$. Any suggestions on what to see in a few hours?

 

The Colosseum, Roman Forum/Trajan's Market, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and a quick look inside St. Peter's Basilica--all subject to time constraints, of course. Private transport will be able to get you a lot closer than a huge bus! Plus you will move at your own speed rather than the speed of the slowest of the 30-50 people on a bus!

[Wine-O]

We are sailing celebrity and they offer a transfer from airport to cruise port driving by and stopping at a handful of Rome sights. Due to time constraints we are arriving the day of departure and leaving the day of arrival. It says it is a 4.5hr trip/excursion/transfer for ~130pp.

 

Has anyone done this or something similar? Was it worth it? Suggestions?

 

First off, you are going to be jet lagged and depending on what time you arrive FCO, you just might want to head straight to the port. As an alternative, there are some ruins near Civitavecchia.

 

On the other hand, taking a cruise transfer guarantees the ship won't leave without you, depending on whether you encounter problems on the way.

[SweetSummertime]

Wow, do many things to consider. I hadn't realized that we would be driving out of our way to see Rome. We get in at 7am and the cruise departs at 6pm so even if it is in the wrong direction I suppose we have the time. The jet lagged thing is a pretty big concern though as no one in our group had traveled overseas before.

 

About how long does customs take at the Rome airport. (we do go through customs...right???????).

[CathyCruises]

I would allow an hour at the airport to get through immigration, get your luggage, go through customs, etc. But that puts you at 8 AM--it's about an hour to the port, so you would arrive at 9--too early to board and you would just be sitting around for two+ hours!

 

Even if you ARE jetlagged (and you will be) the best remedy is to try to stay up till a normal bedtime to get on a European schedule as quickly as possible. We have made the flight from San Francisco many times and this is definitely what works best for us.

 

I think the idea of a private driver who will meet you at the airport (holding a sign with your name on it) and taking you on a nice quick tour of Rome is the way to go. You just have to let your driver know what time the ship leaves--I woud shoot for being at the port no later than 2 hours beforehand. You should have time to at least see something of this magnificent city if in fact you can't arrive a few days beforehand.

[SweetSummertime]

Thanks for your reply and suggestion!

[teacherman]

The jet lag could be a problem. We find the best way to acclimate is to just "stay up" and then crash at about 7:00 pm. We have always stayed in Rome a few days and then done private transfers to the port with RomeCabs. One time, we visited the hill top town of Ceri and had a family style lunch at a local restaurant. Another time, we toured the tombs at Tarquinia, the museum and town itself, and then stopped at a nearby olive/wine vineyard for a brief tour and a GREAT lunch. Both were very enjoyable. If you contact RomeCabs and tell them what you may be interested in doing, they will offer some ideas. Enjoy.