How do we get from ship to Florence & Rome w/o paying for excursions or private hire?

[2206]

When we went to Rome we did a ship excursion. At the Coliseum we had “skip the line” tickets, which saved us standing in line for 2 hours. It was an expensive excursion, but well worth it. Our friends did it on their own and didn’t see much at all.

[Hydrokitty]

Another really good reason to bite the bullet and take the X excursion in both Rome and Florence....no wasted time standing in lines and if it's an all day excursion it might even include lunch where you won't have the full menu but you also won't have to wait for your meal.

PS: the fact that you're in Rome on a holiday will mean total bedlam......mobs of people and limited options.