We are flying into Rome next year. Our flight lands at 2:30PM and our cruise ship leaves at 6PM. We've never been to the airport in Rome and want to know if it's a busy airport meaning will it take long to get off the plane and get our luggage. As well, which would be faster, train or taxi to the cruise port...we don't have much time.
You are running tight. Are you direct from Canada? Or from a stop in Europe? If the plane is on time and things are normal you should be clear of the airort within an hour. You don't have much choice. The train will take too long. You will need a taxi and the trip will run close to an hour. You might google limo services from the airport. When we do cruises like that, we always come in at least a day early. Good luck
I agree with Frank you are running very tight with time. We used -- http://www.benvenutolimos.com/-- they are great. Just email them with all of your flight info and they will meet you at the airport. Also have you looked at --Cruisecritic.com --it’s a great website, we met a lot of nice families that were also on our cruise.
Try booking transfers from the airport to the ship through the cruise line,it will probably be less expensive than a taxi and the cruise line will know that you are on it and if you are late they will know and sometimes delay the ship because you will be with other passengers.
My experience with the cruise line transfer is that it is at least 50% more than a single taxi ride and substantially more if two or more are taking the ship transfer since it is always priced per person. However, the sole advantage to using the cruise line air and transfer package is that they are responsible. If the plane is late and you miss the departure they will take care of you. But if you are an independant traveler, you are on your own. For that reason we always arrive at least one day early and often two days/ Less stress.
My wife and I did this exact trip in June of 2007. The airport in Rome is congested most of the time, and it's a roll of the dice that you will that you will depart your plane on time, retrieve your luggage, and go through customs in less than an hour. I suggest flying in the day before and book your hotel through your cruise line and also purchase your transfers through the cruise line. If you do this the cruise line will transfer you from the airport to your hotel, and the next day they will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the ship in Civitavecchia, it's about an hour drive from Rome to the ship.
Greg Giardini
Grand Rapids, MI