Thread: Rome tours

Our group of 6 is going on cruise in september 2010. Our start and finish is Barcelona. When we get to Rome, we'd like to see the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, The Forum, The Colisseum and do a little shopping. Buying rosary beads, etc. Our ship docks at 8 a.m. and we need to be back by 4 p.m. How do we get transportation from the ship around 10 a.m. and do the things we want and get back on time? This is our first time so we need

aboard.

I can't help you with your questions, but I know there are others here that can. Have a little patience and you will get your answers. A couple of our cruisers are from Europe, so at the moment, they are sleeping.

Originally Posted by memaxam

Our group of 6 is going on cruise in september 2010. Our start and finish is Barcelona. When we get to Rome, we'd like to see the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, The Forum, The Colisseum and do a little shopping. Buying rosary beads, etc. Our ship docks at 8 a.m. and we need to be back by 4 p.m. How do we get transportation from the ship around 10 a.m. and do the things we want and get back on time? This is our first time so we need

Hi Memaxam

Welcome to CruiseLineFans!

What time is your "All Aboard?" It's usually 1/2 hour prior to setting sail from the Port. What day of the week will you be in Rome? I'm asking because on Sundays, except the last of the month which is free and very crowded, the Vatican Museum and Sistene Chapel are closed.

You will most likely be docked in Civitavecchia. The trip from Civitavecchia to Rome is about 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

When we went it was on a Sunday so we skipped the entire Vatican area and concentrated on the other sights. We were in port from 7am to 7pm so we had more time than it appears you do. We went via train, but due to your limited time, already having a group of 6 and trying to get as much in as possible a private tour may be a very good option for you and your group.

I used - Rome Cabs for a private excursion. Rome Cabs - Cruise Ship

Gladiator and Beast Areas Under the Roman Colosseum to Open

by Fran Golden



Visitors to Rome will soon be able to tour underground areas where gladiators prepared for fights and lions and tigers were caged, The Associated Press is reporting.

Underground passageways at the ancient Roman Colosseum are being shored up to make sure they are safe, and tours are expected to begin to these spaces in late summer.

Architect Barbara Nazzaro told Associated Press Television News that the beasts held in these spaces (also including bulls) were brought up to arena-level on rope-hoisted elevators. Elephants appeared in the arena too, but they entered through the main gates.

Bloodthirsty crowds would enjoy a day's entertainment at the Colosseum (which opened in 80 A.D.) that included watching a hunting show, executions and gladiators squaring off against each other, Nazzaro said.

According to Rome's official Office for Tourism, the underground basements also included storage and "service" rooms. Four corridors under the main entrances connected the basements to outside areas including the main barracks of the gladiators.

No exact date has been set for the underground tours to begin.

Originally Posted by memaxam

Our ship docks at 8 a.m. and we need to be back by 4 p.m. How do we get transportation from the ship around 10 a.m. and do the things we want and get back on time? This is our first time so we need

You really need to leave for Rome as soon as the ship docks. It is 1-1/2 to 2 hours drive and for the short time you have there, I would look for a private tour. A tour of the Vatican can take 2-3 hours, and with the traffic, you may have a hard time seeing all the other things on your list, especially since you need to allow 2 hours for your return trip to the ship. We have used Driver in Rome before and had a wonderful tour. Good luck!

Garry

We're sailing on the NCL Jade in October, and are planning to use Rome in Limo Company for that city, and possibly for the stop in Livorno (Pisa and Florence). They provide a driver and a guide for the Vatican and tips for avoiding the line (if you pre-buy your tickets online you can avoid the line that sometimes eats up 1 to 2 hours according to the posts I've read).

We are hoping to find someone to share it; its pretty pricey for just two people, but you cut the cost in half for four. On a per person basis, their 6 person tours are pretty reasonable.

Anyone else here sailing on the Jade out of Barcelona on October 24?

Originally Posted by fshagan

We're sailing on the NCL Jade in October, and are planning to use Rome in Limo Company for that city, and possibly for the stop in Livorno (Pisa and Florence). They provide a driver and a guide for the Vatican and tips for avoiding the line (if you pre-buy your tickets online you can avoid the line that sometimes eats up 1 to 2 hours according to the posts I've read).

We are hoping to find someone to share it; its pretty pricey for just two people, but you cut the cost in half for four. On a per person basis, their 6 person tours are pretty reasonable.

Anyone else here sailing on the Jade out of Barcelona on October 24?

I wish we could join you we are looking for people to share on the Jade sailing on November 21st

Originally Posted by canpass

I wish we could join you we are looking for people to share on the Jade sailing on November 21st

I've heard that most of the activity in getting together with others to share excursions happens within 2 months of the cruise, but I am getting nervous about it already. From the reviews I've read, they seem like a great company, and getting a total of 6 or 8 people together would make it pretty reasonable.

We too used Rome Cabs and can't say enough about how great their service was. I would suggest that if you visit the Vatican that you do so with a guide. There is hardly enough time to see what is there over several days and the cost of a guide for a whirlwind tour inside will be money well spent.

Rome is amazing!