NCL Out of Rome -- Pre-Cruise

[ajtraveler66]

We are looking at a Norwegian Mediterranean cruise that starts and ends in Rome (Civitavicchea).  

 

We would like to spend a few days in Rome prior to going to the pier to start our cruise in Civitavicchea.  Any suggestions on hotels that have connections to the port, places to stay, tour companies to use, etc.

 

We may be willing to do an NCL pre-cruise tour (if they have one)....but then we'd like a day or so prior to that to catch some of the sites that are omitted from their tour.

 

It may be that we could do some sightseeing prior to the cruise ... and some more sightseeing after the tour.

 

Suggestions are welcome.  All we care about is the Sistine Chapel and the old sights of Rome.  And we prefer not to be rushed.

 

[ColeThornton]

4 minutes ago, ajtraveler66 said:

We are looking at a Norwegian Mediterranean cruise that starts and ends in Rome (Civitavicchea).  

 

We would like to spend a few days in Rome prior to going to the pier to start our cruise in Civitavicchea.  Any suggestions on hotels that have connections to the port, places to stay, tour companies to use, etc.

 

We may be willing to do an NCL pre-cruise tour (if they have one)....but then we'd like a day or so prior to that to catch some of the sites that are omitted from their tour.

 

It may be that we could do some sightseeing prior to the cruise ... and some more sightseeing after the tour.

 

Suggestions are welcome.  All we care about is the Sistine Chapel and the old sights of Rome.  And we prefer not to be rushed.

 

 

 

You may want to research/ask on the Italy ports of call forum.   Lots of info available that you are seeking.   Link:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/464-italy-ports/

[CaptainBazz]

1 hour ago, ajtraveler66 said:

We are looking at a Norwegian Mediterranean cruise that starts and ends in Rome (Civitavicchea).  

 

We would like to spend a few days in Rome prior to going to the pier to start our cruise in Civitavicchea.  Any suggestions on hotels that have connections to the port, places to stay, tour companies to use, etc.

 

We may be willing to do an NCL pre-cruise tour (if they have one)....but then we'd like a day or so prior to that to catch some of the sites that are omitted from their tour.

 

It may be that we could do some sightseeing prior to the cruise ... and some more sightseeing after the tour.

 

Suggestions are welcome.  All we care about is the Sistine Chapel and the old sights of Rome.  And we prefer not to be rushed.

 

We stayed at the UnaHotel right beside the Termini train station. Used the 'hop on, hop off' bus for two days...saw all the sites we wanted at our pace...Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain etc...then an easy walk to the station and got on the train which took us right to the port...you don't need expensive tours to see the sites of Rome.

[Markanddonna]

We used the free Rick Steves' audio app at the Sistine Chapel. While others on tours stood trying to listen to their tour guide, we sat on benches against the wall and followed Rick's commentary.  If you go to the Vatican Museums, get your tickets ahead of time. The line for that day tickets is LONG.

[pasto5]

We just got back from our cruise that started and ended in Rome. We stayed at the Hotel Smeraldo right across from the Rossicoli Bakery and right in City Centre. We did a walking food tour and it was our favorite part. 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

13 hours ago, ajtraveler66 said:

We are looking at a Norwegian Mediterranean cruise that starts and ends in Rome (Civitavicchea).  

 

We would like to spend a few days in Rome prior to going to the pier to start our cruise in Civitavicchea.  Any suggestions on hotels that have connections to the port, places to stay, tour companies to use, etc.

 

We may be willing to do an NCL pre-cruise tour (if they have one)....but then we'd like a day or so prior to that to catch some of the sites that are omitted from their tour.

 

It may be that we could do some sightseeing prior to the cruise ... and some more sightseeing after the tour.

 

Suggestions are welcome.  All we care about is the Sistine Chapel and the old sights of Rome.  And we prefer not to be rushed.

 

If the Vatican is one of your primary concerns, look at theMuseum Hotel.  It is adjacent to the Vatican.  We stayed there on our Rick Steves tour.   There are several eateries on the same block.  It is a quirky hotel, but was comfortable and safe.   If you want to be closer to the pantheon, the Trevi fountain, coliseum and senate, then closer to the Spanish steps might be a better fit.   Much of Rome is very walkable.  When we did our first trip years ago, we had found an American who now lived there doing day tours, all of which were walking tours.   It was amazing to think how much we walked without ever realizing it.  Get a good guide book, like one of Rick Steves and check out his walking tours and hotel recommendations.

Edited July 25, 2022 by MagnoliaBlossom

[Middleager]

We stayed at Hotel Genio, 1-minute walk to Piazza Navona.  On the first afternoon, we walked to the river to see Justice building, and St Peter's Basilica, continued to Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

 

Next day we walked to Castel Sant' Angelo, St Peter's Basilica, and Vatican Museum.  We bought tickets for the before public small group tour at 7:30am (open at 8:30a to the public).  For 2 hrs the lady guide took us slowly and explained in detail.  There's no talking, no taking pic/videos in the Sistine Chapel, so she explained to us before hand.  Then we had 25-minutes inside Sistine Chapel, quietly enjoy everything in awe.  After that she took us on way to the gift shop to finish the 2hr tour.  We continued with breakfast inside the Vatican Museum.  As we got out, there was a long line of people waiting to buy tickets (they could've bought online).

 

We then took uber to the Colosseum.  We had bought tickets for the underground tour of the arena (and upper).  After that we went to the (nearby) Forum Forum and Pallatine.  Lots of walking, >30,000 steps that day.  But saw so much.

Edited July 25, 2022 by Middleager

[GreenFamily]

10 hours ago, Middleager said:

We stayed at Hotel Genio, 1-minute walk to Piazza Navona.  On the first afternoon, we walked to the river to see Justice building, and St Peter's Basilica, continued to Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

 

Next day we walked to Castel Sant' Angelo, St Peter's Basilica, and Vatican Museum.  We bought tickets for the before public small group tour at 7:30am (open at 8:30a to the public).  For 2 hrs the lady guide took us slowly and explained in detail.  There's no talking, no taking pic/videos in the Sistine Chapel, so she explained to us before hand.  Then we had 25-minutes inside Sistine Chapel, quietly enjoy everything in awe.  After that she took us on way to the gift shop to finish the 2hr tour.  We continued with breakfast inside the Vatican Museum.  As we got out, there was a long line of people waiting to buy tickets (they could've bought online).

 

We then took uber to the Colosseum.  We had bought tickets for the underground tour of the arena (and upper).  After that we went to the (nearby) Forum Forum and Pallatine.  Lots of walking, >30,000 steps that day.  But saw so much.

These are great tips! Do you have a link to the early morning Vatican tour? That sounds fabulous! Thank you! 

[deweytrader]

We just got back from the Escape yesterday.  We stayed 3 nights prior to the cruise at The Liberty Boutique Hotel in Rome.  It was excellent!  Very centrally located and just a 5-7 min walk from Termini.  Highly Recommend!

[Middleager]

1 hour ago, GreenFamily said:

These are great tips! Do you have a link to the early morning Vatican tour? That sounds fabulous! Thank you! 

Check tickets.museivaticani.va/home  for the days you like to visit.  Some tours are not available every day.

[Wordyways12]

Our family just booked a Rome R/T on the Epic next June.  We are looking at the same options for touring Rome a few days prior.  Also wondering our options with the 2nd guest free airfare.  Heading to the guidebook section at the library soon!

[SunFunRum88]

Just left the Epic on 17Jul in Barcelona.  The NCL airfare worked great for us but we did not know to book the deviation ( request for extra days before or after the cruise) early so we were told we could only have one day after the cruise. Once the air was booked with American we could pick our seats and use my status to upgrade.   The extra  day in BCN was the best due to no stress to get back to the ship.  We did all our own excursions except used the transport to Pisa and Florence.  

[jcann4444]

As to Hotels, if you want beauty and able to get to Downtown Rome but be in a secluded mountain top stay at the Waldorf Astoria Cavelleri. They also have a shuttle bus to and from downtown from 9 to 9 daily for free.

 

Touring wise I have used rominlimo many times and they are great. You can tour Rome privately and then they will drop you at the Port as well. The Port is close to an hour away and cab is 150 Euro so it is not cheap to get to Citiveccchia. 

 

 

[Sailing12Away]

We did a similar cruise a few years back and I wrote up a whole trip report about it. It used to be linked in my signature, but now it's gone. If you search the boards here you may find it. We flew into Rome 2 days early. Did a golf cart tour at night around the city which was great (through Viator), skip the line tour at the Vatican the next day (also through Viator), and then found a private tour that picked us (and our bags) from the hotel, and took us to Tivoli to see Villa D'Este and Hadrians Villa. Stop for lunch at a great place on a cliff, and then they dropped us right off at the port for the cruise.

 

After the cruse we took the train to Venice for a few nights, then trained it over to Florence for a few nights before finally returning to Rome for our flights home.

 

I'll try to dig through my email for the company name of the private tour, but if you're able to sleuth through these boards to find our trip on the Epic from years ago that has tons of pictures and links.

[CptBoatface]

I think you let us know about that golf cart tour, which was fantastic. In town, we loved the Albergo del Senato as a hotel