Super Esoteric 1st Time Cruiser Oceania Rome to Rome Thread

[ITGuyMD]

Hello Oceania Friends!!!

 

My wife and I are going to be first time Oceania Cruisers in June on the Glamorous Riviera cruise for our Honeymoon!

 

We have both done a ton of research and learned a lot from the Cruise Critic veterans here, but we are always looking to learn more where we can. Any info specific to our trip would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

We are planning to stay 4 nights in Rome at the end of our cruise and I just recently booked 4 nights at Hotel Grifo. Any Vatican, Pompeii and Ancient Rome tour recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Also, any restaurant recommendations in Rome are also greatly appreciated!!!

 

Any other tips and advice are greatly appreciated as well!!!!!!!

Edited January 29, 2017 by ITGuyMD

[jo-b]

Hi

 

If you like history and are interested in Pompeii then Ostia Antica is a gem just outside Rome that very few people visit. It is just near Fiumicino airport so not a long trip, and do-able on the train, or there are tours if you search Google. Rick Steves has a walking tour on his free app too!

 

http://www.ostia-antica.org/index.html

 

And a beat the line tour of the Vatican can save loads of time too!

[shoreboy]

Book the Vatican Night Tour tour with Sev Borzak of Anno Domini Tours. He is incredible and the Vatican is not crowded.

Also book the Scavi (Underground tour) of Vatican. Book early and online at Vatican site- there are limited amount of people they let in.

Eat at Roscioli Salumeri in Campo di Fiori. Look up the reviews. Not much to look at, but wonderful food. For real Roman dining, Armando's near the Parthenon is authentic.

[Pet Nit Noy]

My wife and I are going to be first time Oceania Cruisers in June on the Glamorous Riviera cruise for our Honeymoon!

 

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

 

We are planning to stay 4 nights in Rome at the end of our cruise and I just recently booked 4 nights at Hotel Grifo. Any Vatican, Pompeii and Ancient Rome tour recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Superb walking tours from Context Travel Rome. Very high information level from folks with advanced degrees in their field. Obviously, Pompeii is a day trip out of Rome. It's a long day with an early morning train ride, but you'll be met at the station in Naples by your guide. We've been using this company since it was founded more than a decade ago. (In fact, we like them so much, we've booked tours with them in other countries/cities besides the place where they got their start, Rome.) Their group tours have a limit of six. Go to the Rome page and check out the group tours being offered on their routine schedule for the time you'll be in Rome. If you're planning too far in advance for those tours to be posted, write to the company and discuss your tours. They may be able to put the tours you want on their public calendar even if those days are not the regular rotation of those tours. You must have a minimum of three sign up for a public tour to go. We've taken so many tours with Context that we're into fairly obscure tours and we now have to go privately.

 

There are more casual tour companies, and you'll find those names on the Italy Port Call board of the web site. RomeinLimo used to be a great favorite, but you need to know that along with the car you only get a driver. This person will tell you information about the site you're about to visit, but will not be a licensed tour guide and will not be permitted to accompany you into the sites. Over time, I believe RomeinLimo has added the option of hiring a licensed guide in addition to the driver so you get the benefit of an information specialist being with you on site.

 

Most cruisers who are making a one-day port call like RomeinLimo because they are met at the port, driven to Rome, given a one day tour, and then, returned to the ship. You will be in a different situation and the advantages of a car in Rome seem questionable for someone staying in town. Whether RomeinLimo simply books guides with no transportation is a question I can't answer.

 

Also, any restaurant recommendations in Rome are also greatly appreciated!!!

 

Go to Chowhound and look at the very active discussions about restaurants from many locals like Katie Parla, mbfant, vinoroma, and Elisabeth Minchilli are food professionals in Rome and graciously participate on the Italy board.

 

Any other tips and advice are greatly appreciated as well!!!!!!!

 

I think your hotel's walking times to destinations are under-estimated. Plan accordingly if you need to meet up with a guide or arrive someplace where you have a timed entry. Fortunately, the timed entry I think you'll definitely want is the Colosseum, so your location will work to your advantage. Consider touring both the upper levels and the separate underground tour.

Edited January 29, 2017 by Pet Nit Noy

[Pet Nit Noy]

Also book the Scavi (Underground tour) of Vatican. Book early and online at Vatican site- there are limited amount of people they let in.

 

Myth and legend has grown up around booking the Scavi tour. The one common warning is that the Vatican contacts you in its own sweet time to say you've successfully booked a space for a tour. You'll be told far enough in advance to know before you set out for your trip. However, you typically won't be told months in advance. (My memory tells me people are not notified that they aren't booked, but I'm less certain of this since we've been successful the two times we've tried.)

 

The common belief is that people who write to check and see how their request for a tour is coming along are believed to irritate the powers that be and are not offered tour slots.

 

Reading the Scavi web site just now, I'm please to note that the office is now accepting email requests. We visited in the days only written letters were accepted. Here's the Scavi URL

 

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20090216_en.html

 

To the OP, I'm not sure why you think your questions are esoteric much less super esoteric. I'd be curious to hear why you think so.

[LHT28]

since your questions are more about the ports you may want to check out the ports of call forum here

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=595

 

Be sure to join your roll call to see what your ship mates may have to share

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=714

[janecambridge]

Pre book entry tickets for the colosseum,up to a day before and turn up early to avoid huge queues.If you want to do the underground/evening tour you may need to book now.It gets booked quick.No water bottles allowed in colosseum,but there are drinking water taps.

You can take water into the Vatican.

Pompeii.Again get there early and enter via the back entrance.The main entrance has queues from all the cruise ships.

I will try and find the name of our guide for Pompeii and the name of a great family run restaurant.

 

Found the following two tours we did.

 

4 hour private morning tour with MTours (Kotor-Perast). Mr Mladen Lalatovic will wait in front of port with sign board. see http://mtours.me/en/tour/12/.

If you got to Kotor,this guy was so good and so funny.

 

Private 3 hr tour of Pompeii with Guiseppe from http://www.visitpompeii.it 9.00am pickup by the pier of Marina Piccola of Sorrento where tenders of Oceania Riveria arrive.

Edited January 30, 2017 by janecambridge

[ChappChapp]

Have been to Rome a number of times the last few years and one of the best restaurants we have been to is Il Caminetto Via Dei Parioli telephone # 39 06 808 3946 . It is a family run place in Parioli area of Rome, a short cab ride from the historic center. Upscale because of the neighborhood but not expensive by big city standards. Food excellent and great people watching as it attracts a very stylish crowd. Owners are very gracious and service very good. Go later as at 8pm there is hardly anyone in the place. Enjoy Rome one of my favorite cities.

[ORV]

 

To the OP, I'm not sure why you think your questions are esoteric much less super esoteric. I'd be curious to hear why you think so.

 

I think the OP is referring to himself as super esoteric and not the questions.

 

The best tip here is the one LHT28 gave you.

[Pet Nit Noy]

I think the OP is referring to himself as super esoteric and not the questions.

 

The best tip here is the one LHT28 gave you.

 

If he's super esoteric then nothing anyone has written will meet his standards. We've all offered excellent advice -- advice that will ensure an appealing and successful visit to Rome/Pompeii -- but there's nothing anyone has posted that hasn't appeared in dozens of guide books and posts on the Italy Port of Call Board or on this Board. Nothing rises to the level of esoteric.

[JPR]

The splurge restaurant would be the romantic hillltop La Pergola at the Cavaliere Hotel, with an amazing view of Rome.

 

In the heart of the city, we like Costanza in the ancient Teatro di Pompey and Da Giggeto in the Jewish quarter.

 

As for the ship itself, don't miss the hands-on cooking classes onboard! Or the wonderful spa with Thassalotherapy pool and heated tile chaises. Or our favorite onboard coffee bar.

And book the top gourmet meal at La Reserve.

[jo-b]

Myth and legend has grown up around booking the Scavi tour. The one common warning is that the Vatican contacts you in its own sweet time to say you've successfully booked a space for a tour. You'll be told far enough in advance to know before you set out for your trip. However, you typically won't be told months in advance. (My memory tells me people are not notified that they aren't booked, but I'm less certain of this since we've been successful the two times we've tried.).

 

Thank you Pet Nit Noy, I emailed the Scavi Office on Sunday afternoon after reading this thread and got confirmation Monday morning by email with a link to pay on line so we are now in for our post Riviera stay in April!

[Pet Nit Noy]

Thank you Pet Nit Noy, I emailed the Scavi Office on Sunday afternoon after reading this thread and got confirmation Monday morning by email with a link to pay on line so we are now in for our post Riviera stay in April!

 

Good to know! The process has clearly been streamlined with the switch from written submissions to email.

 

The instructions tell you to arrive 10 minutes early at the tour entrance. Too early and the guards won't let you through the Scavi check point. Too late and you'll miss the tour. That's a rather small window considering the entrance to the Scavi office is accessed some distance from the same door where everyone lines up to enter the Basilica (and definitely not via the entrance to the Vatican Museum).

 

Below, I've provided a link to a map that I did not create, but it looks right to me. (This came from a 2013 thread on Trip Advisor. I haven't been able to find a more recent thread with map.) My recollection is that I was sent a map along with the written letter when we got our reservation. By any chance, was a map attached to your email reply?

 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=41.902125072295505%2C12.455546000000027&spn=0.006077%2C0.016512&msa=0&mid=19tQTasbD7G0oPUchDkmScLwoIkc&z=16

Edited January 31, 2017 by Pet Nit Noy

[RJB]

The splurge restaurant would be the romantic hillltop La Pergola at the Cavaliere Hotel, with an amazing view of Rome.

 

In the heart of the city, we like Costanza in the ancient Teatro di Pompey and Da Giggeto in the Jewish quarter.

 

As for the ship itself, don't miss the hands-on cooking classes onboard! Or the wonderful spa with Thassalotherapy pool and heated tile chaises. Or our favorite onboard coffee bar.

And book the top gourmet meal at La Reserve.

We stayed at the Cavaliere last summer and it was wonderful. Been to Rome a number of times and was looking for a hotel to chill out. Perfect. They had a shuttle into town if you wanted it. Look it up.

[jo-b]

Good to know! The process has clearly been streamlined with the switch from written submissions to email.

 

The instructions tell you to arrive 10 minutes early at the tour entrance. Too early and the guards won't let you through the Scavi check point. Too late and you'll miss the tour. That's a rather small window considering the entrance to the Scavi office is accessed some distance from the same door where everyone lines up to enter the Basilica (and definitely not via the entrance to the Vatican Museum).

 

Below, I've provided a link to a map that I did not create, but it looks right to me. (This came from a 2013 thread on Trip Advisor. I haven't been able to find a more recent thread with map.) My recollection is that I was sent a map along with the written letter when we got our reservation. By any chance, was a map attached to your email reply?

 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=41.902125072295505%2C12.455546000000027&spn=0.006077%2C0.016512&msa=0&mid=19tQTasbD7G0oPUchDkmScLwoIkc&z=16

 

No map just instructions to take Bernini's colonnade to the left, but from memory i think we know where to go. Thanks for the map though, well researched!

[GeorgesGal]

Thank you Pet Nit Noy, I emailed the Scavi Office on Sunday afternoon after reading this thread and got confirmation Monday morning by email with a link to pay on line so we are now in for our post Riviera stay in April!

 

The Scavi tour is certainly worth it in my mind. But be aware that it is somewhat claustrophobic with narrow walkways. Also, no large bags are allowed due to the closeness of the walks. So leave them at your hotel.

 

Once you pay, you will receive via e-mail a map showing where to meet.

 

Donna

[su-arizona]

If you are interested in touring Pompeii from Rome, Rome Cabs offers a day long private trip to Pompeii from Rome. I haven't taken this trip, but have booked private transport with Rome Cabs many times and have always been very pleased. I've also had a small group (6 people) tour with Rome Cabs and that was excellent too. (Rome Cabs is a limo service BTW - not a taxi)

 

If you visit their web site, it will tell you that the driver is not a guide and will help you book a private guide for the tour.

[Marseydotes]

Check them for good sites, tours, restaurants. But to me, the best is the forum comments from very recent visitors--with little details to make all of your time in Rome easier!

[susie123]

Try Eating Italy Food Tours (eatingitalyfoodtours.com) for a walking tours of off-the-beaten-path restaurants in different neighborhoods in Rome. We took the Twilight Trastevere tour three years ago and really loved it. It's a small group walking tour (I think we were 8 people) with stops for eats and wine at several different restaurants, plus a neighborhood tour, with an English speaking guide (ours was British). It was a great way to find a restaurant to return to for a full meal on another evening.

[iticlaudia]

Rome is probably one of my favorite cities in the world and I've been there over a dozen times in the last few years. I'm not a fan of tours and always recommend just to start walking. Don't expect to see everything or the entire city on one trip and don't try. Relax, pick a area you want to explore and take your time. Stop to have a drink, to eat and people watch. I sometimes feel like people and particularly tours try to push too much at once and then end up missing the magic of a city. If you want to do the Vatican it will take at least a day. The Colosseum and some of the surrounding area also is an entire day. Those to places are just a sliver of what Rome has to offer.