Civitavecchia to Rome and Back In One Day

[yankee39]

Is it possible to visit Rome and return to ship in 1 day before 5PM departure? Ship arrives Civitavecchia 5AM and departs at 5PM. Would like to visit St. Peters.

[wyodeacon]

If that's about all you want to see in Rome you could probably do it. The Vatican had really long lines to get in when we were there and there is a lot to see (especially if you're Catholic) besides just St. Peter's. If you're thinking about the Coliseum or Parthenon or any other of the sites you probably won't have time.

[sergeant655]

It is possible. It is best to take a shore excurison offered by the ship. traffic in Rome can be a bit crazy.

[helpthejuggler]

We have taken the train DIY 3 times. Very easy and low cost.

 

We docked around 6am and were in St Peter's around 9AM and then see a few more sights then get back in time.

 

If you go to the St. P's first there are normally very short lines.

Edited April 25, 2014 by helpthejuggler

[bigbenboys]

Trains are great and sure it can be done. Celebrity will wait for you if you book through its shore excursion desk. We took a Paris excursion with Celebrity and all went fine. But some people took the train. Someone jumped or was hit by the train. The line was closed down. The taxi cost them many Euros to get to the port before the ship left. Richard

[Barwick Cruiser]

DH and I did it five years ago....we took the ship's excursion, think it was called something like, Rome on your own, and included only the train transport to the city and then a return train later. We were let off near St. Peter's and we arrived there around 9-9:30ish and toured the Basilica first. We had planned to move on from there but Pope John Paul was going to be doing a blessing at noon, which as Catholics we just couldn't miss lol!! As soon as the appearance and blessing were over we made our way (walking briskly) over to the Trevi Fountain (threw our coins in and obviously the karma works because we're headed back there in six weeks lol) and then the Spanish Steps where we stopped for lunch at a cafe at the top of the steps. We headed next to the Coliseum, checking out some sights on our way. We ended up grabbing a cab after the Coliseum to the train station and then relaxed all the way back to the port! It is definitely doable and without having spent 3 hours at the Vatican we would've had more time for the other sights. All depends what you want to spend your time at! Btw, last time there it was a Sunday so the Sistine Chapel and Museums were closed so that's our main focus this time around.

 

Have fun and enjoy your cruise!

Cathy

[bottomfeeder]

Absolutely doable. If you have a while until your visit there, look into visiting the excavations under St. Peters--it is an AMAZING tour. One of my very favorite tours I've had on all my travels. My son and I went in 2011 when we were there, and it was only 12 Euros each at the time. You need to make reservations in advance because they have very limited space, so if your cruise is soon it may well already be full.

 

Here's the link with all the info: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20090216_en.html

 

The real reason I mention this is because when we arrived that day the lines to get into St. Peters were HUGE...but the Scavi tour leaves from an office elsewhere within the Vatican complex and you don't have to wait in the line. Plus after your tour you end up right inside St. Peters--so no need to wait in line to see that.

[cruisemom42]

There is a ton of useful information on the Italy ports of call board here on Cruise Critic about doing Rome in a day -- everything from pre-reserving tickets so you don't have to wait in line (works for the Vatican museum/Sistine, doesn't work for St. Peters....) to train schedules to the best routes through the city and also recommendations for small group private tours.

 

Italy Ports of call board: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=595

[Nanny2Trey]

Is it possible to visit Rome and return to ship in 1 day before 5PM departure? Ship arrives Civitavecchia 5AM and departs at 5PM. Would like to visit St. Peters.

 

We did it. Eight of us from our roll call booked a private tour. It was amazing. We zipped in and out of places. We even had lunch in a restaurant. When we got to the Vatican our tour guide took us to the head of every line. We saw so very much and never once waited to get in. It was an unbelievable tour. I think it was Limos in Rome or something like that. We paid US money at the end of the tour. It was not any more expensive than the ship's excursions. The guide was always mindful of our time and we returned to ship in plenty of time. The only thing we didn't get to do was shop. I was a little bummed about that. Lol. We often take private tours over ship tours by hooking up on our roll call. Have never had any problems.

 

Linda

[jayoldschool]

Easy. Get off ship early, walk to train station, take train to the stop closest to the Vatican. We did St Peter's and the museum in the morning, then walked over to Trevi.

[alcpa1]

It is possible, as others have said, but.....

The best way to see St. Peter's is with a tour group from your Roll Call. Small groups and excellent tour guides will help you make the most of your day. These professionals know how to maneuver their small vans through the traffic, get you into St. Peter's and other sites, and get you to the ship in time for departure. There will be no fumbling around the train stations, or getting lost, which can happen. They also work when Italian transportation workers strike - and they do have work stoppages from time to time.

Do join your Roll Call, it is the best travel tool for cruisers.

[kathynorth]

We've been to Rome via cruise ship several times. As previously mentioned, there's lots of info and suggestions on the Italy board. On one trip we took the train, visited the Vatican Museum (make online reservation), and exited into St. Peter's. We had time to stop for pizza before heading back to Civitavecchia. On another trip we took the train, went to Parthenon, a couple of churches to see sculptures, took the Vatican Scavi tour (advance reservation), exited into St. Peter's then back via train. On another trip we joined roll call friends and booked a vehicle with driver, had a private tour guide meet us at the Colliseum, toured the forum, then quick stop at Parthenon, then back to The ship. We like to see as much as possible and move fast between stops. There's so much to see and do in Rome; I know we'll visit again in the future.

[pris993]

DH and I did it five years ago....we took the ship's excursion, think it was called something like, Rome on your own, and included only the train transport to the city and then a return train later. We were let off near St. Peter's and we arrived there around 9-9:30ish and toured the Basilica first. We had planned to move on from there but Pope John Paul was going to be doing a blessing at noon, which as Catholics we just couldn't miss lol!! As soon as the appearance and blessing were over we made our way (walking briskly) over to the Trevi Fountain (threw our coins in and obviously the karma works because we're headed back there in six weeks lol) and then the Spanish Steps where we stopped for lunch at a cafe at the top of the steps. We headed next to the Coliseum, checking out some sights on our way. We ended up grabbing a cab after the Coliseum to the train station and then relaxed all the way back to the port! It is definitely doable and without having spent 3 hours at the Vatican we would've had more time for the other sights. All depends what you want to spend your time at! Btw, last time there it was a Sunday so the Sistine Chapel and Museums were closed so that's our main focus this time around.

 

Have fun and enjoy your cruise!

Cathy

 

 

We did something similar some 20 years ago, in the spring time after Easter, i.e., early May I suspect. At that time there were no lines, we simply walked right in to St. Peters, explore it on our own, visited other sites and took the train back to the ship because we did not feel like waiting for the return bus. More recently, every time we have been to Rome crowds have been overwhelming at St Peters especially. Have not visited since because just not the same experience for us with the added security and crowds... today, I would either book tour through the ship or an indkependent operator to by pass the crowds.

[Colorado Buffalo]

Rome is such an amazing city. I'd personally suggest you take a cruise that

originates in Civtavecchia and fly into Rome 3 days before it leaves.

Rome at night is wonderful and to miss that would be a shame.

[TheMediaman]

Rome is such an amazing city. I'd personally suggest you take a cruise that

originates in Civtavecchia and fly into Rome 3 days before it leaves.

Rome at night is wonderful and to miss that would be a shame.

 

 

Agreed. Absolutely agreed but if you are already booked then you can book Vatican entrance tickets online. Skip the line.

 

http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/index.html

 

http://www.romecabs.com is also a highly recommended company I have used for transportation but, obviously, more expensive than the train.

[HokiePoq]

We have taken the train DIY 3 times. Very easy and low cost.

 

We docked around 6am and were in St Peter's around 9AM and then see a few more sights then get back in time.

 

If you go to the St. P's first there are normally very short lines.

 

 

This is what we did. The San Pietro station is one of the first Rome stations and before Termini. We made online reservations for the museum (allow time to walk around to the far side for the entrance) and spent most of the day in the museum followed by a visit to St. Peter's. The lines go fast there.

Allow extra time to walk back to the ship from the train station.

Another time we took the train to termini and walked to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Colesseum. Did have a problem that day because it was Easter Sunday and the trains were cancelled. Finally one came to Termini and picked up about 400 of us headed back to the ship. We made a mad dash from the station to the ship.

Both times we saw more than the ship's excursions did for a fraction of the cost. As long as it is not a holiday or a scheduled train strike, it should be fine. We just completed a cruise where there was a train strike on the day we were to go to Florence. Very glad we had a ship's excursion scheduled for that.

It also is important to know where your ship is docking. The above plans worked for when the ship had a day's call in Civ. Our most recent cruise which originated there was at a cruise terminal not in walking distance of the train station. For that, I'd use a ship's excursion.

Edited April 26, 2014 by HokiePoq

[Hlitner]

One needs to be careful with that 5pm departure. If it is an embarkation port (even if you were on the prior cruise) you may be required to be back aboard in time for the muster/lifeboat drill. On most lines this is held 30 - 60 min prior to the departure time and many lines (such as HAL) now require all passengers (even those on back to backs) to attend the drill. If using the trains you also need to allow some extra time in case the train is running late. So this 5pm departure might actually mean you need to plan on being back in Civitavecchia around 3 which means leaving the latest train you should take from Rome would be the 2:12 (gets in Civ about 3:15).

 

Hank

[pris993]

Agreed. Absolutely agreed but if you are already booked then you can book Vatican entrance tickets online. Skip the line.

 

http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/index.html

 

www.romecabs.com is also a highly recommended company I have used for transportation but, obviously, more expensive than the train.

 

We have used romecabs as well for transportation to and from the port several times, excellent service. Each way between port and airport 130 euros, plus tip. You might check out their website do believe the offer tours as well. Plan to use them again ourselves in October.

[bonsai3s]

Is it possible to visit Rome and return to ship in 1 day before 5PM departure? Ship arrives Civitavecchia 5AM and departs at 5PM. Would like to visit St. Peters.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic. Yes, it is possible. We have done it DIY four times.

 

Here are some random thoughts: (Detailed info available on the Europe/Italy boards) Planning and having a good map is the key.

 

* Get off the ship as early as you can.

* There will be free shuttles just outside the ship that will take you to the port gate. A ten minute ride.

* Walk out the port gate and you are now in Civitavecchia. Walk to your right approximately 4 blocks to the train station. (Purchase the BIRG train ticket that will give you access to both the train and the metro/subway.)

* At the train station, look at the train schedule on the screen/monitor and go to the correct platform. Don't forget to validate your train ticket before boarding...yellow boxes on walls or post/columns.

* It is approximately 1hr to 1 1/2hrs to Rome.

* Get off the San Pietro (St. Peters) train station. As you exit the relatively small station, simply look up and you'll see the beautiful dome of St. Peter's Basilica. It is a short walk...and you will be welcomed by the breathtaking St. Peter's Square.

* Yes, there will be a line (security line) and be mindful of the enforced dress codes to enter the basilica...no shorts and no exposed shoulders.

 

Note: If this is all you'd like to do, you will definitely have plenty of time to return to the ship. If you love to walk...again, having a good plan and a map...you can easily do what we did.......

 

* After a visit inside St. Peter's Basilica, we walked towards the Tiber River.

* From there, you can walk to the Castel D'Angelo.

* Cross the beautiful bridge...

* Walk to Piazza Navona...site of chariot races. You can then easily follow tourist signs to the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. You can continue to other sites by taking the subway/metro. In our case, we took short metro ride to the Colosseum. (You will see the Colosseum in front of you as you step out of the metro station...incredible.) If you prefer to see the Spanish Steps, it's the other way via the metro.

 

* After the Colosseum, we took the metro to the main train station, "Termini", and was on the train back to Civitavecchia before 3pm. Note: the walk from inside the Termini to the Civitavecchia train platforms is long...quite hilarious because of the seemingly never-ending walkway.

 

It will only be a taste...you can spend a week in Rome and not see everything. Have fun and happy sailing! :)