If you are visiting Rome on a cruise, you will quickly discover that the city is quite far from the port of Civitavecchia. Choosing a Civitavecchia shore excursion to Rome through the cruise line gave us the peace of mind we wanted, especially with several ships in port that day.
We chose the St. Peter’s, Roman Catacombs, and Colosseum excursion for $239.95 per person. It included transportation, guides, and a full day of sightseeing. After experiencing it, we felt like this was the right choice for us.
Beginning our Civitavecchia Shore Excursion to Rome
We were sailing on the Sun Princess, and our tickets were delivered to our stateroom the day before. Our meeting time was 7:00 in the Princess Arena.
Once our group was called, we walked off the ship and boarded the bus at 7:23. The bus was close by with plenty of extra seats, so we were comfortable for the ride.
Early in our Civitavecchia shore excursion to Rome, we made a short stop at an Italian convenience store. It was a simple stop for drinks and restrooms, but it was surprisingly fun to see the Italian version of a convenience store. Since the day was already heating up, it was a good chance to stay hydrated.
St. Peter’s Square
Our first major stop was Vatican City. The bus dropped us off in a large parking structure used for tour buses, and we met our Vatican guide at St. Peter’s Square.
We spent time walking around the square while our guide shared information about the architecture and history.
The scale of the square is impressive, and seeing it in person felt almost unreal. We also made a quick stop in a nearby gift shop that had a restroom.
CRUISE TIP: Bring a real watch so you stay on ship time. Fun tip. Go full 80s. I got myself this retro SWATCH WATCH. It feels like a tiny time machine on your wrist, and it is just plain cool!! You can find it on Amazon.
The Colosseum and Roman Forum
Next, we drove to the Colosseum for an exterior visit. The area was crowded, which was no surprise, but it was still incredible to see in person. The heat was intense with highs in the low nineties and a bright, cloudless sky.
We walked around the outside of the Colosseum, viewed the Roman Forum, and enjoyed seeing these famous sites up close.
The standout memory here was buying frozen water bottles from guys walking around with simple bags of ice-cold drinks. This is not something I normally do, but it was the coldest water we found all day and easily the best two euros we spent on the entire trip.
Lunch Near Circus Maximus
By lunchtime, we were ready for a break from the sun. Our group ate at Griglieria, a restaurant close to Circus Maximus.
Our guide mentioned it was her favorite among the options they use, and she was right. The inside had a cozy feel with interesting vintage items on display.
Lunch included baked pasta, salad, a flavorful pork dish, and roasted potatoes that were some of the best I have ever had.
Dessert was a tiramisu-style mousse that was light and delicious. A quick tip: go to the restroom as soon as you arrive because the line gets long.
Catacombe San Callisto
Our final stop on the Civitavecchia shore excursion to Rome was the Catacombs of San Callisto. Photos are not allowed inside, but this visit was fascinating.
The tunnels were cool and peaceful, which was a treat after the heat outside. Walking through the underground passages while learning about early Christian burial practices was a memorable experience.
Sights Seen Along the Way
During the day, we also saw several sites from the bus, including the Pyramid of Cestius and Circus Maximus. Even quick views added to the sense of being surrounded by history.
Returning to Civitavecchia
We returned to port at 5:15 pm, right on schedule. After such a full day, the air-conditioned ride back was appreciated, and it felt great not to have to worry about train schedules or traffic delays.
Was the Ship Excursion Worth It?
Yes. Rome is far from the port, and transportation can be unpredictable. With heavy summer crowds and several ships in port, we wanted the reliability of a ship-sponsored tour. This Civitavecchia shore excursion to Rome allowed us to relax and enjoy highlights of the Eternal City without worrying about the distance or timing.
Check out our excursion Genoa: DIY Shore Excursion from Genoa: Taking the Train to Monterosso, Cinque Terre
