Has HAL a regular pier in Civitavecchia port?

[MouseBerry]

Hi,

12th of June we start our first cruise with HAL on the Koningsdam. We used MSC and Oceania in the past, but want to try others as well. And this cruise was reasonable priced at less than 100€ per night in a balcony cabin. And June is really a nice time of the year to sail in the mediterranean. And there is even an overnight in Barcelona which is quite unusual and pretty.

 

We did never start our cruise in Civitavecchia port and after looking for details in the inet we are still a bit lost. There is a free shuttle at a central point in Civitavecchia, Largo della Pace.

From there are two directions. One to pier 25 and another one to pier 10,11,12 etc.

So how can I know which direction is right for us. Or in other words, how can I know at which pier is the Koningsdam waiting for us?

 

Maybe someone recently sailed our of Civitavecchia and know which pier is used by HAL.

It might depend on the size of the ship. I know there is a new cruise-terminal dedicated to some cruise lines (Costa, MSC).  One might say the ship is big enough and you will see it, but the port is a really big one.

 

Any help is appreciated. 

 

We looking forward to our new HAL experience. 

 

MBerry

[WisRiver]

We have used Civitavecchia several times.  Last year our HAL transatlantic docked at pier 12.  Three years ago on another HAL transatlantic we docked at pier 25.  The only time we have left Civitavecchia was five years ago and we departed from pier 12.  On our departure we did not use the shuttle bus (plus the port was organized totally different), since we had booked a transfer from Rome.   If you show up at the port entrance, they should tell you which shuttle to take.  It is my understanding you cannot walk from the port entrance to the ship.  

[*Miss G*]

The Koningsdam is a beautiful ship.  You have made a great choice!  I have never paid attention to which pier the ship was docked at because the driver knows where to go.  All you do is tell them the name of the ship.  You won’t be allowed to walk within the terminal as it is shuttle service only.  There are also specific transfer companies who are allowed in the port to drop you off right at the ship without you having to board the shuttle.  It all works pretty seamlessly.

 

Have a wonderful trip and welcome to Holland America!

[BSinPNS]

Last summer we disembarked from Celebrity Constellation and embarked K-dam a day later.  There are separate busses for each ship at the port entrance leaving for the ship when full or the other bus returns from the ship.  Luggage is stored underneath for the trip.  Shuttles from the hotel(s) go to the appropriate piers.  Getting a taxi in town on turnover day is almost impossible, even from the train station.  Rumor had it that the taxis are at the ships and make more taking people to Rome.  Not sure if that is true.  We were able to get a "taxi" to the main gate, but the "taxi" was not permitted in the port.  The "taxi" appeared to be an old car driven by a local. but with four bags, we had no choice. 

[MouseBerry]

Thank you for the info so far. Maybe we should have mentioned that we arrive the day befor embarcation day. We try always to arrive the day before in particular when we arrange flights on our own. So we can not use an airport to port shuttle which if it is authorised will drop you directly under the ship.

 

On embarcation day there will be 6 cruise-ships in the port with a total of 20000 people. Could be a bit crowded. As we are already in Civitavecchia in the morning, and because of the black hull of the Koningsdam very likely we will figure out which direction is the one we need. As it is a new cruiseline for us we are a bit more excited as usual and want to prepare everything right.

 

Thanks

MBerry

[RuthC]

Your boarding pass should have the pier number on it.

[Hlitner]

To answer the question, No, there are no permanent assigned piers for HAL.  The actual pier assignment varies although they are generally in the same part of the port which is about the most distant from the entrance.  If you have private transportation directly to your ship then the driver will quickly find the proper pier.  If you use the internal port transportation system (nice coach type buses) you will simply take a taxi or some other transfer over to Lago della Pace which is where you get the free internal port buses.  If you know the name of your ship you will find the correct bus :).  As to 6 ships in port, that is not unusual in Civitavecchia which can easily handle that number of cruise ships.  We have counted as many as 9 on some of our visits and likely missed a few that were in other parts of the large port.

 

Hank

[gwilli]

It’s best to make arrangements beforehand. In April with only a few ships in port, it was difficult for some. They hadn’t arranged with the hotel shuttle and it was full! Tried to get a cab, but saw them walking pulling their suitcases to the port. It was a long walk!  

[Tennessee Titan]

We  stay at the Hotel Traghetto, which is across the street from the shuttle terminal. Get up, eat breakfast, and walk to the bus marked with the ship we are on. End of story....

[MouseBerry]

Hi,

ok, free shuttle buses have an indication of the cruise-ship.

Sometimes things are quite easy.

 

Thanks for all the information

MBerry

[cruisin kath]

Is it possible after arriving by the ship's transfer to then take the shuttle into the port town (and return by the shuttle) to buy wine before boarding?  Just wondering  after reading there is no walking allowed in the industrial port area. We land in Rome and are being taken directly to the port without a chance to purchase the allowed 1 bottle of wine each.  I've also read in other topics that you cannot buy wine at the airport when arriving.  Thanks for any help with this!!

[mudscraper]

20 minutes ago, cruisin kath said:

Is it possible after arriving by the ship's transfer to then take the shuttle into the port town (and return by the shuttle) to buy wine before boarding?  Just wondering  after reading there is no walking allowed in the industrial port area. We land in Rome and are being taken directly to the port without a chance to purchase the allowed 1 bottle of wine each.  I've also read in other topics that you cannot buy wine at the airport when arriving.  Thanks for any help with this!!

 

Approximately one block away from the shuttle terminal there was a small grocery store that had a nice wine selection. I believe the name of the store is Todis.

[RMLincoln]

If your transfer takes you directly from the airport to the cruise terminal to check in, I would think that you could drop your luggage, check in if the lines are short or wait until later to check in if the lines are long, not board immediately and take the shuttle to the edge of town, walk around a bit and find a shop for wine, take a shuttle back to the ship and then board with you one bottle of wine each allowed only at embarkation.  Yes that would work but you will cart your carry-on bags with you the whole time.  We have both embarked and ported in this port and find it works quite well.  Enjoy, m--

[cruisin kath]

Thank you both so much for replying.  I thought it might be possible to buy wine in town and use the shuttle, but not having been at that port before, it is hard to know!!