After extensive research, our family booked our very first trip to Europe on a 12 night cruise. We will dock in Rome on the last Sunday of the month, but as I'm doing more research, I'm disappointed to read that it is Free Sunday at the Vatican and it is only open from 9-12:30pm. I've read alot about the CROWDS and it is discouraging, but we haven't quite given up hope yet. Our ship docks at 8:00am. I am thinking about having a taxi take us directly to the Vatican Museum and waiting there for approximately 1-2 hours to get in. Am I crazy for doing this? If so, what do you suggest we do instead?
(I don't foresee doing another trip like this with our children in a very long time.)
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Sharlene: First of all, as you probably know, your ship will dock at Civitavecchia, about an hour away from Rome, so factor that into your timing. Secondly, though the ship docks at 8:00 it is unlikely you will be permitted to disembark much before 9:00 am. I am thinking you should forget the Vatican Museum, chalk it up to bad luck, but you can still go to St. Peter's Basilica. You can take the train to the Termini station in Rome and then a taxi to St. Peter's, or you can catch a hop-on/hop-off bus near Termini and hop off at St. Peter's and other places of interest. Your ship will offer transfers to Rome, but at approx. $100 per person. A good site for information on the port is cruisecritic.com Click onto the "ports" section.
Posted by
OP
Saratoga
3 posts
Thank you Norma. I had a hard time sleeping last night just thinking about going all the way to Rome and not being able to see the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, but just reading your comments made me feel like it's not the end of the world. I did repeat what you said "to chalk it up to bad luck" a few times to my husband and a friend, though.
Today is a new day and I bought Rick Steve's Guide to Mediterranean Ports and will read up on all the amazing things we will still be able to do! I think we will be adventurous and take the train to Termini Station and explore Rome on our own. Thanks again for helping me look at the bright side!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Hurray for you, Sharlene. Always admire someone with the grit to go with the flow. I think Rick's Med.Ports book gives really good instruction on how to walk to the RR station in Civitavecchia. Also your cruise ship people will hold a seminar for each port, I expect, and don't be shy to ask questions then.