Would you take the express train on your own to Rome or book an excursion?

[LoriLoriLori]

17 minutes ago, BekkaW said:

If the rules continue as they are you will not be able to do “Rome on your own” as a cruiseline excursion. We sailed the med last summer and the rules in Italy were very strict - all tours were fully escorted bubble tours. No moving away from your group for any reason in any location. Eg no shopping, no stopping for a coffee etc. All full day tours included lunch at a local restaurant. Take water and snacks with you! 

One one of our tours a lady did go off by herself and she was met by ship security on our return, we understand she was removed from the ship. It’s a very strict rule for cruise ships as they have been vectors of disease with covid in several places around the world. 

 

Thank you for this information.  I did learn about the inability to go it on your own upthread.  I didn't know this and I'm glad I asked the question.  

[ustasmom]

18 hours ago, LoriLoriLori said:

I know the cons of going it alone are not getting back to the ship on time.

 

For those who have taken the train on their own from Civitavecchia to Rome would you recommend it to save time and money and do you have any tips? 

We did in in 2019. I would not recommend it to anyone.

 

It was difficult. Trains were packed (like standing room only if that.) People could not get off the train at their stops because it was so packed. It took about 1.5 hours each way. But to leave Rome, the train was really, really far from the main terminal. It was quite a run and we barely made it. We made it back to the ship with 10 minutes to spare. And it was a miserable, busy day in Rome. 

 

It was a 12 night Med cruise with only one sea day. We didn't do any ship tours and we disembarked at every port. I wouldn't do Rome again from a ship. It seems to be the sort of place where you need quite a few days to even make a dent.  

 

 

[pcur]

18 hours ago, PurpleTraveller said:

I have heard of a relatively new express train service for cruise ship passengers from Civitavecchia to Rome and back. You could also research that option. 

 

What I posted above is about the express train.

[pcur]

1 hour ago, ustasmom said:

We did in in 2019. I would not recommend it to anyone.

 

It was difficult. Trains were packed (like standing room only if that.) People could not get off the train at their stops because it was so packed. It took about 1.5 hours each way. But to leave Rome, the train was really, really far from the main terminal. It was quite a run and we barely made it. We made it back to the ship with 10 minutes to spare. And it was a miserable, busy day in Rome. 

 

It was a 12 night Med cruise with only one sea day. We didn't do any ship tours and we disembarked at every port. I wouldn't do Rome again from a ship. It seems to be the sort of place where you need quite a few days to even make a dent.  

 

 

It sounds like you were on the regular service train, and not the Express Train for cruise ship passengers.

[PurpleTraveller]

I got the regular local train and both ways the trains were not crowded and had plenty of seats. It may depend on time of year and time of trains as to how crowded they are. I travelled in early July and took an early morning 8.01am train to Rome and an early afternoon 1.42pm train back. The departing platform at Termini is a long way from the main terminal so leave extra time to get to it.

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by PurpleTraveller

[LoriLoriLori]

3 hours ago, ustasmom said:

It was a 12 night Med cruise with only one sea day. We didn't do any ship tours and we disembarked at every port. I wouldn't do Rome again from a ship. It seems to be the sort of place where you need quite a few days to even make a dent.  

 

I agree that Rome cannot be seen in a day and not the ideal way to visit Rome.  We are arriving in Barcelona on a Monday and getting on the ship on Friday so we will have some time in Spain to sightsee before we get on the frantic port intensive cruise.

[LGW59]

23 hours ago, LoriLoriLori said:

I know the cons of going it alone are not getting back to the ship on time.

 

For those who have taken the train on their own from Civitavecchia to Rome would you recommend it to save time and money and do you have any tips? 

private driver

[AstoriaPreppy]

23 hours ago, LoriLoriLori said:

I know the cons of going it alone are not getting back to the ship on time.

 

For those who have taken the train on their own from Civitavecchia to Rome would you recommend it to save time and money and do you have any tips? 

Outside of the transportation, the major benefit of a cruise line excursion is the skip the line benefits at major sites, like the coliseum or Vatican. Instead of having to get to Rome, then secure tickets, and wait for admission, your guide will usually escort you directly past the often hours long lines for whatever top sites are on your tour.
 

When we did the Vatican cruise line tour, we got a chunk of the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s in the space of a few hours, with a certified Italian tour guide who was incredibly knowledgeable. Worth every cent. 

[ustasmom]

23 hours ago, LoriLoriLori said:

 

I agree that Rome cannot be seen in a day and not the ideal way to visit Rome.  We are arriving in Barcelona on a Monday and getting on the ship on Friday so we will have some time in Spain to sightsee before we get on the frantic port intensive cruise.

We spent one day in Barcelona, We went to La Familia Sagrada. We also did a Fat Tire bike tour, which was fabulous. We also visited Tarragona. That was very nice as well. And we went to a Gladiator show (and couldn't understand a word.) It was still very fun and it took place in the amphitheatre. And those rocks are even less comfortable to sit on than they look. The best part was an airshow that began during the show. So  as we were sitting in this colosseum structure, on the hard, sharp rocks, watching a Gladiator show (in Spanish,)  an air show pops up. That was rather surreal. lol

[jacobtsf]

On 2/6/2022 at 6:07 PM, AstoriaPreppy said:

Outside of the transportation, the major benefit of a cruise line excursion is the skip the line benefits at major sites, like the coliseum or Vatican. Instead of having to get to Rome, then secure tickets, and wait for admission, your guide will usually escort you directly past the often hours long lines for whatever top sites are on your tour.
 

When we did the Vatican cruise line tour, we got a chunk of the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s in the space of a few hours, with a certified Italian tour guide who was incredibly knowledgeable. Worth every cent. 

This is true, but private tours will do the same thing, you get more time at the sites, and can move along as soon as you are done. 

[little britain]

On 2/5/2022 at 11:53 PM, LoriLoriLori said:

I know the cons of going it alone are not getting back to the ship on time.

 

For those who have taken the train on their own from Civitavecchia to Rome would you recommend it to save time and money and do you have any tips? 

From the ship you have to take the shuttle to the port gate.  
Then you can catch a bus that goes between port and train station. It was €2pp e/w but prices may have risen. Otherwise it is a brisk 25 min walk.

Buy tickets ( you can also get them from the newsagent stand in the station to the left as you enter if there is a long line).

Remember to stamp the tickets in the yellow box in the wall as you get on the platform to validate them. A return ticket should be around €10.

Aim for a train around 8:15.  This will get you into Rome well before 10. The train gets into the furthest away platform so it is a lengthy walk up exit the station.

Outside get a HoHo bus -( around €30pp) take the tour almost for the whole circuit to get an overview of the city then disembark at the stop closest to the Spanish Steps.  Walk down the steps, along the classy shopping streets full of designer brand stores; past the Pantheon 🏛 and end in Piazza Navona.  Time for lunch!. It should be around 12:45 by now. 

 

After lunch keep walking towards the river and pick up the HoHo to take you back to the station.  Remember it’s the platform furthest away! Catch a train around 3:00 then catch the shuttle back to port or walk stopping for gelato on the way! 

 

How to do Rome DIY in a day!  Tried and tested formula! 
 

Edited February 8, 2022 by little britain