Cost of private Rome tour???

[littleowensmommy]

I just got this quote. It sounds great but it seems really expensive. The tour would be for 2 adults and 2 children. The price would convert to $1081, using today's exchange rate. Has anyone taken one of these private tours from Civitavecchia and what did it cost? Thanks.

We would meet you with a minivan and bring you into the city to visit the Forum and Colisseum area as well as the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Trevi fountain. After lunch we would visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's basilica and you would return to Civita vecchia from there.

The cost for the day of touring is 900 euro including minivan and driver, tours and tickets to all the sites. The only thing not included is lunch.

 

[Suzanne]

From Princess's web site for the same tour through PCL. It sounds like you're getting a good deal.

Civitavecchia By Private Vehicle - Van Class

A private vehicle is the perfect solution for passengers who wish to tour privately or who want the flexibility of designing their own itinerary.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Vehicles with an English-speaking guide, or with driver only, are offered on a full-day (nine hours) basis. No deviations to duration, departure or return time can be made. If you choose the driver-only option, keep in mind that the drivers’ command of English varies and that drivers cannot act as tour guides. This is a private arrangement; those accompanying you are the family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of passengers to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are of extremely limited availability; reserve early. These tours are ordered per vehicle. One person in your party places the order for the vehicle; the entire cost of the vehicle is charged to that person’s shipboard account and cannot be divided among the party. Once onboard, you will receive a letter requesting details about your travel plans. Please complete this information and return to the Tour Office as soon as possible.

ROM-U3 - Full Day with Guide and Driver (9 hours) One to six (1-6) passengers
$1599

ROM-W3 - Full Day with Driver Only (9 hours) One to seven(1-7) passengers
$1295

Please be sure to request this tour by indicating the number of vehicles you wish to have - not the number of passengers.

 

[Flagger]

In light of the recent bus accident involving passengers from Celebrity's Milennium, I think this is a relevant quote from the following article:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=253

When booking a tour through your cruise ship, you can bet that the personnel ashore are licensed operators with special insurances to cover a wide variety of incidences. They serve large volumes of people per year so they have experience. This is why you pay more. Furthermore, there is less of a risk with a ship's tour as they will delay departure if the bus is late. If you have booked separately, the ship does not have that information and it will sail within a certain time period.

It's easy enough to bypass ship-organized tours, no question. Surfing the Internet, in particular, you can find operators in large numbers, but whether they are licensed is tricky and unpredictable. Don't hesitate to ask for their license, credentials and insurance coverage.

Your best bet is to start with a city or country's official tourist Web site because the operators they list typically have been vetted. If you prefer to book a tour once in port, know this: Those operators set up to sign you up inside the gates of the port are usually licensed. Those outside the gates? Not.

Even when you book an organized tour from the ship or your hotel, realize that an accident or incident can happen. What makes this one so shocking is its severity. On shore tours we have experienced fender benders, flat tires, broken axles, hitting of objects and late return to the ship. In addition, there have been various injuries such as sprained ankles, broken bones, poison ivy, food poisoning, severe sunburn and many other incidences. This is life's experience.

 

[littleowensmommy]

Thanks for the replies. Anyone else?

 

[woody73]

We just returned after spending one week in Rome. Here is some information on tickets to sites:

1. Roman Forum -- free
2. Colisseum -- 11 EUR
3. Pantheon -- free
4. Piazza Navona -- free
5. Trevi fountain -- free (except for the coin you toss into the fountain to guaranty your return to Rome)
6. Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel -- 12 EUR
7. St. Peter's basilica -- free (4 or 7 EUR to climb the dome, depending on whether you take steps or elevator)

Woody