Excursion Question (Rome)

[lisaatric]

Has anyone done the included Rome excursion?  Are you let off the bus?  There is a private tour group I’d like to use and am trying to figure out transportation into/back from the city. 

Edited July 10, 2022 by lisaatric

[Peregrina651]

We did this pre-Covid and in January; things may be different now. We were let off the bus twice.

 

The first stop is at the Circus Maximus for 10-15 to take pictures and stretch your legs. The second and last stop is at the Vatican, where you have a long hour or more.

 

The entire tour is 6 hours and that includes travel time, which is about 70 minutes each way.  You will have to be back at the meeting point in Vatican City about an hour and half before the end of the tour.

 

If the bus leaves the dock at 8:30 am, it will arrive at Circus Maximus somewhere between 9:40 and 10am (later if there is a pit stop before you get into Rome) and will you will have to be at the meeting point in Vatican City by 1pm (that includes time to round up stragglers, walk to the bus, load the bus and drive back to the ship by the scheduled ending time of 2:30 pm). That would give you approximately 3 hours touring time in Rome -- maybe a bit more or maybe a bit less. The times I have just given are approximations only. What time you leave depends on which tour times are available when shorex booking opens. The pace of the day depends on the traffic.

 

Another option, if it is offered on your sailing, is the "Rome on Your Own" excursion which is basically a shuttle bus to the Vatican and back. It is listed as a 10 hour tour but in truth it depends on what time you are due to depart Civitavecchia if a 10 hour tour can be fit in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lisaatric]

Thank you so much for your response. It appears as if taking the train is a simple solution!  I’m deciding between two tours.  So exciting. Thank you again.