Rome on your Own on the Mediterranean Cruise?

[braysmommy]

Wanted to add I used Rick Steves book and trip advisor to plan our day via train.

 

[deanimal]

We started a cruise in Rome last year after a few weeks of travel in Italy and found that the Italian trains were very fast and efficient and always ran on time. Perhaps the perception of "you can't trust Italian trains" is a bit dated? We found Rome to be easy to get around overall and had no issues on our own. With only one day, I'd chose either exploring the Vatican area or the Colosseum and Roman Forum; it would be a bit much to try to fit in both.

Then again, we probably aren't typical cruise excursion people. We've done a few organized excursions and the kids hated them. They now call cruise excursions "paddle people" (because they're usually following someone holding a numbered paddle) and beg to go on our own instead. It may be a bit scary the first time or two, but pretty much everywhere in Europe is super easy on your own and much nicer than being herded around in a group, especially for kids. Wander the streets, find a nice table in an outdoor cafe on a beautiful Roman square, order whatever you want and rest assured that even if all the trains break down you can still take a taxi back to the port for less than you'd pay for an organized excursion and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

 

[sunmoon620]

We used Rome In Limo a tour company that works many of the ports in Italy! The day was amazing...I think we saw more in one day than we would of in 3 on our own! Our tour guide Stephano was amazing...walked us right in the Vatican ahead of the LONG line, brought us to his favorite local restaurant for lunch, and even took us grocery shopping before getting back on the ship for wine. The touristy spots were charging 5 times the price as the grocery store for the same wine!!!

It is important to note that the port in Rome is not really walkable to anywhere! It is nothing like Caribbean ports! You will need a car to get to Rome which is about 60 min away from port.

 

[jamdonnut]

We did it on our own with a 10yr old and 8 yr old it was really easy check out the train timetables as the trains alternate fast train then slow train etc. The fast train takes under an hour we left with 2 hours before all aboard time so we’re back on board with an hour to spare. We did book ahead of schedule our colosseum tickets so we had no queues and at the Vatican we didn’t go in any of the buildings as we wanted to do the colosseum most. It was the most memorable day of the cruise. Good luck

 

[morgan98]

We have done Rome on a train from port on our own. It is very doable. It is really your comfort level that determines if it is a risk you are willing to take.

 

[Clare]

We started a cruise in Rome last year after a few weeks of travel in Italy and found that the Italian trains were very fast and efficient and always ran on time. Perhaps the perception of "you can't trust Italian trains" is a bit dated? We found Rome to be easy to get around overall and had no issues on our own. With only one day, I'd chose either exploring the Vatican area or the Colosseum and Roman Forum; it would be a bit much to try to fit in both.

Then again, we probably aren't typical cruise excursion people. We've done a few organized excursions and the kids hated them. They now call cruise excursions "paddle people" (because they're usually following someone holding a numbered paddle) and beg to go on our own instead. It may be a bit scary the first time or two, but pretty much everywhere in Europe is super easy on your own and much nicer than being herded around in a group, especially for kids. Wander the streets, find a nice table in an outdoor cafe on a beautiful Roman square, order whatever you want and rest assured that even if all the trains break down you can still take a taxi back to the port for less than you'd pay for an organized excursion and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

Thank you so much!

 

[Clare]

We did it on our own with a 10yr old and 8 yr old it was really easy check out the train timetables as the trains alternate fast train then slow train etc. The fast train takes under an hour we left with 2 hours before all aboard time so we’re back on board with an hour to spare. We did book ahead of schedule our colosseum tickets so we had no queues and at the Vatican we didn’t go in any of the buildings as we wanted to do the colosseum most. It was the most memorable day of the cruise. Good luck

Thank you so much for your response. This is very helpful. 2 questions:
1. Did you purchase your train tickets ahead of time?
2. Were you able to walk to the train station from the ship or did you need a taxi?

 

[nzdisneymom]

Like @sunmoon620 , we used Rome in Limo for our "on our own" excursion to Rome. We had a few things we wanted to see that were not specifically listed in their suggestions, but they were easily accommodated. We allowed twice the amount of time needed for our return time just in case there was vehicle trouble, but what we liked was that we were out and ahead of the tour buses in the morning, we didn't have to wait on any stragglers, if we wanted more time at one site, we could do that or if we finished quickly at another, we didn't have to stay put. They also had things for us to see that weren't even on our radar, so that was a nice addition. Plus they took us to a good local place to eat before the lunch crowd arrived. Once we were back near the port, our driver took us to the gelato place that his family likes to go to when they are in the area because we had the extra time.

 

[aggiedog]

Like @sunmoon620 , we used Rome in Limo for our "on our own" excursion to Rome. We had a few things we wanted to see that were not specifically listed in their suggestions, but they were easily accommodated. We allowed twice the amount of time needed for our return time just in case there was vehicle trouble, but what we liked was that we were out and ahead of the tour buses in the morning, we didn't have to wait on any stragglers, if we wanted more time at one site, we could do that or if we finished quickly at another, we didn't have to stay put. They also had things for us to see that weren't even on our radar, so that was a nice addition. Plus they took us to a good local place to eat before the lunch crowd arrived. Once we were back near the port, our driver took us to the gelato place that his family likes to go to when they are in the area because we had the extra time.

This is exactly why we like third party companies. Off the ship faster and able to use port time most efficiently, more nimble in town, able to tailor what we want to do and even if we want to make an unscheduled ice cream and coffee break.

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

We did. We researched it very well. Took the train to the Coliseum for a 9 am tour, wandered the Roman Forum, had lunch and walked to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. I was nervous but we gave ourselves an hour cushion time to return and it was so much less expensive.

 

[jamdonnut]

Thank you so much for your response. This is very helpful. 2 questions:
1. Did you purchase your train tickets ahead of time?
2. Were you able to walk to the train station from the ship or did you need a taxi?

So sorry have been away so only just saw this, was advised to purchase tickets on the day, due to train changes etc and very glad we did as a metro strike on the day we were there until 12pm which influenced our route. Due to the metro strike walked from train in the morning and did the metro in the afternoon had the metro been running wouldn't have walked although still doable. Got a shuttle bus from ship to the edge of the port and then about a ten minute walk to the train station but loads of taxi's waiting there so an option if you prefer
Good luck Donna

 

[hmsTigger]

We did. We researched it very well. Took the train to the Coliseum for a 9 am tour, wandered the Roman Forum, had lunch and walked to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. I was nervous but we gave ourselves an hour cushion time to return and it was so much less expensive.

Could you get the train near by at the port or needed a taxi from ship to train?
How long could you spend in Rome that day? travel time not included?
Any good excursion you could recommend for this cruise and ports? Thank you!

 

[Dug720]

I like the idea of an "on your own" tour, but with cruise line transportation excursion, but From a cruise line point of view, this seems kind of risky (from a "the ship will wait for people who are late if they are booked on a cruise line-sponsored excursion" point of view. In my experience, it seems like there is almost always at least one group that doesn't make it back to the rendezvous point on time. If it's a cruise-line sponsored excursion, does that mean that they HAVE to wait for the stragglers? or do they leave the stragglers behind?

Nope. When I did it, they were very clear that the bus would leave at X time and if you were not back you would be finding your way back on your own.

The “ship will wait” clause only covers the actual part of the tour the vendor controls - in the “On Your Own” situation, that was the bus back. We had some trouble getting out of the garage (yes, there is a garage near the Vatican for tour buses because of Jubilee years or something like that and the crowds). We made it out and back in plenty of time, but if another bus had to be sent, the ship would have waited, or the cruiseline worked with the company to get us to the Amalfi Coast.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

Anyone ever taken the train from the port into Rome for the day and toured on your own instead of booking an excursion? Would love to hear your experiences and tips!

We used Italy Day Tours for Rome, Florence, and Pisa/Pompeii. They were phenomenal. Instead of a bus of 40 people where you have to do a lot of walking because the bus cant fit down the narrow streets, you get a nice mini van of 8 people for half the price! And they pretty much get you right up to the place of interest. We did The Vatican, Trevi fountain, coliseum, the Pantheon for 3 people all for around $300 all in one day. They got us back to the ship in plenty of time. We were on an NCL boat, so I don’t know if they are in port for longer. Just don’t pay extra DCL costs for less of an experienced. You’ll feel less like cattle with Italy Day Tours.

 

[pjacobi]

We started a cruise in Rome last year after a few weeks of travel in Italy and found that the Italian trains were very fast and efficient and always ran on time. Perhaps the perception of "you can't trust Italian trains" is a bit dated?

Italian train *are* very fast, efficient, and always run on time....until they go on strike! Make sure you have a backup plan.


-Paul

 

[jamdonnut]

Thank you so much for your response. This is very helpful. 2 questions:
1. Did you purchase your train tickets ahead of time?
2. Were you able to walk to the train station from the ship or did you need a taxi?

We walked from where the shuttle bus dropped us to the station 10-15mins and we bought our tickets at the station you just have to make sure you validate your ticket. Like a hole puncher on the wall otherwise they fine you. Good luck

 

[braysmommy]

We did. We researched it very well. Took the train to the Coliseum for a 9 am tour, wandered the Roman Forum, had lunch and walked to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. I was nervous but we gave ourselves an hour cushion time to return and it was so much less expensive.

Sounds exactly like our day in Rome. We were back on the ship with over an hour to spare.

 

[K8T]

Yes three times now and a lot of people do it
Including cast members, it was like a mini trip!

Tickets are easy to get from the machine, trains are easy, reliable and clean. Takes under an hour. We usually get out at St Marks, before the terminus, book an early time to go in the Vatican, then walk our way through Rome taking in the Piazza Navonna, Trevi fountain/Spanish Steps and collliseum. Book the coliseum and you jump the queues.

The coliseum is next to a metro, this takes you to the main Terminus, where you can get a train back to Civitavecchia. Just factor in a train or two after in case you miss it. The station is big, so you need to allow time to get to the platform!

It really is easy and much cheaper. Worst comes to worst you jump a cab back.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

I would look into the company "rome in limo" for a tour share. These tours will fill up but It is a 8 passenger van so you can move much more nimbly through the city than those giant tour buses. They can also get you much closer to the entrances to avoid lengthy walks. Rome is hard to do in a day but if you want to hit all the high points, I thought this was a great way to do it and it cost way less than ship excursions. They know they have to get you back to the port in time as their reputation depends on it. There are plenty of positive reviews of RIL on cruise critic. We were exhausted at the end and I think pretty much everyone in our van conked out for a nap on the ride back to the port.

 

[hmsTigger]

I would look into the company "rome in limo" for a tour share. These tours will fill up but It is a 8 passenger van so you can move much more nimbly through the city than those giant tour buses. They can also get you much closer to the entrances to avoid lengthy walks. Rome is hard to do in a day but if you want to hit all the high points, I thought this was a great way to do it and it cost way less than ship excursions. They know they have to get you back to the port in time as their reputation depends on it. There are plenty of positive reviews of RIL on cruise critic. We were exhausted at the end and I think pretty much everyone in our van conked out for a nap on the ride back to the port.

Thank you for this recommendation. It is always good having a first hand recommendation. How long is the drive by van from port to Rome (approximate)? What time did you meet the van and was it right at the port?
Can we assume you enjoyed this cruise and ports?