Refined Rob

From the main Rome station jump on a HOHO bus and see all the sights, the stop is just across the road from the station.

From the ship there is normally a shuttle bus to take you to the port gate, then it is @ 15 - 20 min walk to the station. It is how quick you can get off the ship, we are in the YC so we can get off really quick. I would book just to be on the safe side, after 10.00 I would suggest - in Rome by 11.00 ish.

Glad to be of service, we have used the train before, as you exit the dock gates and walk towards the station there is a small shop on the left that sells discounted train tickets. Might not be there anymore, it was a few years ago. But the train prices are cheap and the trains are pretty nice, and double deckers (see image). We are boarding on the 25th, so we will pop into Rome on the 24th. So no longer in Vegas, it has changed a lot since I first visited in 1982. Been there a few times, did a video of changes https://youtu.be/YP0yrghanKY . Hope to meet up on the cruise, if not have a great one.

Just checked with trainline and they state that they are running and very cheap. btw, how was the F1, did you manage to watch it ? hear it ?

Tour with MSC, when we normally visit Civitavecchia (Rome), we either take the train in ( very cheap) and then HOHO bus around the city. Or we have hired a minivan (lots of them at the port) that will take you on an all day tour of rome. The minivan / people carrier last time cost $200 for 6 of us, and they took us everywhere we needed to go to. The drivers are great and know all the back streets of Rome so you do not miss anything.

I agree, very quiet, too quiet. Something is brewing in the background, people are saving their energy for the cruise. Just making arrangements for transfers from airport to port, and return. Not long till we are all on board, and ready to party.

We have cruised with MSC on various ships over the past few years, and the food is improving. Excursions we have not booked any, we have been to these ports many times so we will be doing our own sightseeing.

Same to you.

You will enjoy it, every port has so much to offer, lots of history and culture. We are boarding on the 25th till the 1st Jan, looking forward to it. We are off to Japan in 3 weeks on the Bellissima, so we have to get over that cruise before we make plans for this one (we have been doing the Med since 1973 so I think we will have it covered).

Sounds like you have it all under control. Have you been to Europe before ?

That is a good price, are you onboard for New Year as well ?

Ours was a bit cheaper, £1400.00 for the 5 of us from UK to Rome.

We have booked our flights 24th December - Heathrow to Rome, prices are rising so booked early to take advantage of a British Airways offer.

MSC do decorate for Christmas, this was on the Seaside in the Yacht Club, and the rest of the ship was made festive. Barcelona is one of our favorite cities, and have spent many days there. It has some hidden gems that need to be looked for.

We will see all the decorations and festive atmosphere when we get on board. Flying out a few days earlier so we will see some of the local festivities. Done so many Christmas and New Year cruises that missing the morning of one will not be a problem. No Christmas Jumpers to wear walking around the ship.