We are cruising out of Rome through Greece on 10/29 returning morning of 11/5, and staying in Rome 11/5 and 11/6, flying home 11/7. We THOUGHT we had booked a Rome excursion for the day we return, 11/5, which would take us from the pier, tour the high points of Rome (7 hours)and deposit us at the airport, where we would shuttle to the hotel. Just learned TODAY not true! Tour is for those RETURNING to the ship. (Didn't even know that one could hop on and off the ship!) Desperate to make alternate plans to make best use of time in Rome without spending a gazillion Euros. Ideas? We can transfer from pier to airport for 30E each and free shuttle from there to hotel but that sounds like it would take too much time. Also we want to see Vatican Museum and St. Peters the next day; ideas for best tours there? We like historical and art detail. Mostly we just want to make our 2 days in Rome count!
Posted by
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada
67 posts
We just returned from a cruise which included Rome as one of the ports. Some of us took a train from the port into Rome (45 minute ride) where others took a bus (1 1/2 hour ride). Why not check on the train schedules. Arrive in Rome late morning of the 5th, check into your hotel and do the Vatican Museum and St. Peters that afternoon. Lineups at the Vatican Museum are not bad in the afternoon. On the 6th, tour the coliseum, forum, trevi fountain, pantheon and a museum of your choice and grab some dinner and wine at Piazza Navona in the evening. It will be a full day but time well spent.
Posted by
OP
Arlington, TX, USA
5 posts
Great idea! Will hauling cruise luggage be a hassle on the train? We are not yet adept at Rick's style of traveling with one carry-on....
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23240 posts
Paula, it is time you learned to travel light on a cruise. We have done two cruises out of Rome. At the port, the port shuttle bus will take you to port entrance. From there it is mile walk east to the train station. All flat, along the beach and easy but if you have a lot of luggage it could be a pain. Taxi are available but it may be hard to get one to take you to the station because they want the long runs to Rome and the airport. There is city bus that runs to the station but I don't know the schedule. We have always walked. The train is a commuter run between 45 mins and an hour and 15 depending on the number of stops. Three trains an hour. And it deadends in the Rome train station. This past summer it was 3 Euro. Is you hotel in Rome or near the airport? Was not aware of any free hotel shuttles into the city.
PS When we cruise we take a carryon size bag each and only one extra rolling carryon bag that contains the extra clothes for the cruise. It can be done.