Transfer from Port to Rome and back to Port same day

[JupSurf Cruiser]

Cheers! We are booking our first Non-Caribbean family cruise this June and finding out how overwhelming booking DIY self guided tours can be! Anyway, we are booking self guided tours to the Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Basilica. We have 2 adults 2 teens and one child (9). We also have another family that may be touring with us (2 adults and 2 teens). 9 total.

7am arrival at Ciitavecchia Port, Italy - 8 pm departure.
We wanted to start the first tour to Vatican at 9:15 if that's not too early.

We have some questions if anyone can help:

1) Transport to and from port options / timeframes

       A) train - is this a viable option with the constrained timeframes? It's certainly cheaper but not sure about timeframes since we want to start first tour (Vatican) around 9:15.

       B) Unsure about "the 9th man" since most private shuttle Svcs say up to 8 but checked into civitavecciaport.org and they seem like a decent option. Just a bit worried about scheduling the transfer back o the port in a timely manner. Are they reliable generally speaking?

 

Any advise on these transport options would be great. We want to se a lot in Rome but only have the day. 

[CruiserBruce]

I would book a private tour that will accompany you the entire day for this, as taking trains or other transportation takes time away from your day. A private vendor will get you from point to point in a efficient,  organized manner, to make sure you make it.

 

As to number of people, have you checked the recommended vendors here, like Rome in Limo? You are getting late into this process..many vendors will already be booked.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

[nini]

As @CruiserBruce has stated, I would also recommend a private tour company and not do this on your own. All of the guide we experienced in Rome were fabulous! Debarking times are not in stone... things happen. 9:15 am seems WAY too early. Just because the ship docks then, does not mean you will be able to get off of the ship at that time. We did the Colosseum and the Vatican on two different days.There are tons of suggestions on this board and this is where I learned everything for our cruise in 2018.

With Rome as a port/ stop, you will most likely want to return and begin or end with your itinerary in Rome so as to be able to explore for at least 3 days, which is scratching the surface.

Edited March 5, 2023 by nini
additional words

[gerryuk]

There is a free shuttle bus from the ship to the port entrance at Civitavecchia. From there its a 10 minute walk (straight walk no turning corners) to the train station. The train to the Vatican (direct, no changes) takes around 50 minutes and costs around 4 / 5 euros. The station at the Vatican is called Roma S Pietro. From there is a 10 minute walk to the Vatican, just follow the dome in the distance. 

Don't buy train tickets in advance as you will have to catch the train listed. There is a ticket office and machines in the station. 

The Basilica is free (unless you want to go up the dome) but go early to avoid the the masses. The Sistine Chapel is in the Vatican Museum and is not free. To avoid the masses, buy tickets online to your smart phone. Its a 20 / 30 minute walk from the Basilica to the Museum entrance. You can walk from the Vatican to the Colosseum in under 1 hour.

My ship arrived at 08.00 and had to be back on board at 17.30, everything you ask is doable doing it yourself, unless there are mobility issues. 

 

 

[Wishing on a star]

By the time you pay for all of the transportation needed, to get to Rome, to the sites, spending time in line ( even with pre-purchased tickets )  There are many tour companies that offer "Rome excursion from cruise" tours.    With the number of people in your party, you might be able to get a small group rate, less than private tours.  You would essentially have a private tour driver, the whole way.

 

Just as an example.  I have no experience.  But a commonly recommended tour service offers this.

 

Rome in Limo   shore excursion from ship to Rome  ROME HIGHLIGHTS   

Mini van for up to 6     EU 600.00

NOTE: this does not include the entrance tickets to the Vatican or Colosseum.

You would purchase these in advance.  Either direclty, or thru a tour guide that is also a reseller.

 

A licensed tour driver is different than a licensed tour guide at the sites. 

That is why you might be able to pre-purchase your tickets thru a tour guide service.

Edited March 6, 2023 by Wishing on a star