Rome

Unread post by **Romig1** » 19 Jan 2013, 11:33

I was just about to seek other member's opinions on Rome tours before the P&O Forum died - again.

I remember seeing some comments from Lulu about a tour which did the main attractions but also gave some free time (I think).

I doubt we will want to totally DIY (via the train service), but do want to see Rome, as we have never been before.

Any tips and hints and experiences please?

Unread post by **Lulucat** » 19 Jan 2013, 12:35

We did the '3 of the best' tour Romeo, which for some reason was only available to book on board. It took us to the Colisseum, a lovely large park at the top where you could walk easily to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, and then to St Peter's. At each area we were left to our own devices basically with 1 hour at the Colisseum and St Peter's and 2 hours at the Park area which was more than enough time to see the Steps, the Fountain and have lunch. All in all it was excellent as we didn't have to find our way around and no worries about getting back. It cost about £40 each but we weren't complaining

Unread post by **Dancing Queen** » 19 Jan 2013, 13:33

We've done the Rome on your own tour a couple of times, which basically is just the coach into Rome, the guide gives maps etc out and on the drive in plenty of info on how to make the best of your day, I think the cost was about £35 pp but of course it gives you peace of mind that it is an organised tour and the ship won't leave without you.

The first time we did it we saw everything but saw nothing ( if you know what I mean ) the second time we concentrated on specific places we had decided we wanted to see more of.

Unread post by **Debbie W** » 19 Jan 2013, 14:45

We've done a few different P&O tours in Rome:

Rome on your own

Unfortunately we did this on our first visit to Rome and only our second cruise. DD was only 3 so still in a pushchair plus it happened to be the Pope's birthday on the day we visited so St Peters was closed to visitors. The place was absolutely heaving with people due to the birthday celebrations and the canonisation of several new saints.

On a different day and with more cruising under our belt it would have been a good choice as DQ says you've got the freedom to do what you want but with the security of knowing that the ship will wait for you.

Essence of Rome

My most favourite P&O tour! It's a long day but you get to see so much and when we did it you were on minibuses so got much closer to the sights (I think larger coaches might be used now). We saw the inside of the Coliseum (a lot of tours don't go inside which is pretty pointless IMO) which was amazing, went to the Trevi fountain, and passed by the Forum. Then we had lunch which was nothing special but it was good to sit down for a bit. Then we spent the afternoon at the Vatican museum (nothing less than awe inspiring), the Sistine Chapel, and St Pauls.

We had a bit of free time but not much, maybe half an hour or so.

Roam around Rome

This one involved quite a bit of walking if I remember rightly. We started off near the Spanish steps then walked around for quite a bit and the guide pointed out various important buildings etc along the way, ending up at the Piazza Navona where we had about 1.5 to 2 hours free time for lunch etc. The tour ended at St Peters where we picked up the coach back to the ship.

I think we may have also done the Introduction to Rome tour as I remember walking around the Forum.

Debs

Unread post by **Debbie W** » 19 Jan 2013, 15:10

I've just remembered don't go near the men dressed as Gladiators. They want money for a photo with them, some of them are quite aggressive and a little bit drunk!

Debs

Unread post by **Romig1** » 19 Jan 2013, 15:15

Thanks all.

Quite a few of the tours don't go in the Collosseum, which as Debs says is pretty pointless.

Can't get into CP now to look at the tours....keep getting a message about an authentification key expiring!!!!!

Unread post by **Suekersh** » 20 Jan 2013, 13:36

Romig, we booked a Rome on your own tour the first time we were there. This dips a great option just to do what you want. They drop you off applies to St Peters square. From there we got a taxi to the Colloseum. If you want to go inside you can pre book the tickets on line either with or without a tour guide. This ticket also allows you entrance to the Forum. Next we found the Trevino fountain, had some lunch in a bistro then wandered back to the coach.

The next tie we went we were braver and got the train for 9 euros return. We had pre booked Vatican tickets on line and spent the day there. Came out for a latish lunch in a bistro then caught the train back to the ship. The ships stay in port until about 7 pm. We aim to catch a train for around 4 pm for the hours journey back to Civi. then the walk to the shuttle bus and journey to the ship takes about another 20 minutes. We have never had any problems with the trains but we always allow enough time that if there was a problem we could get a taxi back.

Sue

Unread post by **paultheeagle** » 20 Jan 2013, 16:25

However you decide to visit Rome go with a specific site to see...Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, whatever you choose decide before you go....Rome is big and the sites are quite well spread out.....It is impossible to see Rome in a day, I was there for three days on a coach tour and never saw everything...I ain't been there on a cruise.

Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) is quite an interesting pleasant little town to wander around, a nice flat Prom and the fort is well worth a visit...good shopping area as well.

Unread post by **Mrs007** » 20 Jan 2013, 19:50

Romig if you and Wina do want to explore the Colosseo on your own the best way is to buy the combined ticket for Colosseo/Forum/Palatine Hill but to avoid the queues at the Colosseo, walk to the Palatine Entrance and buy your tickets there. You will bypass all of the queue around the Colosseo and join a much smaller queue inside. I would advise that you buy tickets for an official Colosseo tour inside to the right of the turnstile (don't be pressured into buying tickets for a tour outside), as once you have taken the offical tour you will be told about the special unguided (as in your guide will gain access to these areas via locked gates but won't provide a historical background of these areas) tour of the Hypogeum and 3rd Tier for only an extra 1.50 euros, which is not accessible to most tours. For 007 and my sons this was the highlight of their visit, as you get to go underground to where the gladiators and slaves would have been held, as well as walking on the boarded area of the Ampitheatre floor, looked down on by everyone wondering how they can go down there too. The highlight for 007 and my sons though, was when they were taken up to the 3rd Tier and you have the most amazing panoramic view of Rome and of the Colosseo interior itself. Several people attempted to access this area behind the small tour group, only for the guide to tell them that they couldn't and locked the gates in front of them. The tours for the Hypogeum and 3rd Tier are limited, with only small groups (approx 12 people) allowed to visit at a time. Apparently these areas used to be accessed more easily but since some of the areas of the 3rd Tier suffered damage from the weight of the tour groups they've severely restricted them, so no eating loads of burgers before you visit Romig.

Once you've seen the Colosseo you can walk a few minutes around the corner and then visit the Palatine Hill and Forum on the same ticket. For anyone staying longer in Rome, this is in fact a 2 consecutive day ticket, so you could explore the Palatine/Forum one day and the Colosseo the next. 007 and the boys split the visits up over 2 days but they were lucky enough to be spending a week there, with their apartment directly opposite the Colosseo. Unfortunately my feet didn't allow me to go as planned but I promised Jonathan (whose birthday was being celebrated) that I would pass on his tips for the Colosseo.

Unread post by **Debbie W** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:02

Dot that sounds right up Mark's street - he loved the Coliseum. I'll have to remember that for our next trip to Rome.

Debs

Unread post by **Mrs007** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:10

Don't forget about the Uffizi Tour in the Vatican too Debs, DD should be able to get in next time.

Unread post by **Debbie W** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:20

I think the Vatican tour might have to wait until it's just me and Mark. She'll only tolerate so much history!

Unread post by **Mrs007** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:23

That's true, I forget not everyone has an Ancient History Graduate who lives and breathes it all.

Unread post by **Debbie W** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:29

Well she's having to think about what she wants to do because she'll be choosing her options next year. Being a physio is the favourite at the moment

Unread post by **Lulucat** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:36

I am afraid (heathens) that we found St Peter's to be a terrible bore - the queues were staggeringly long to get to see anything and the whole area was barricaded off and there were thousands of people. We would have been far happier staying around the Trevi Fountain area. I have seen pictures of the chapel and ceilings etc and I have to say that is good enough for me. I doubt we will ever go back - Rome is fascinating, but the Vatican City left me cold - and apart from anything else it is ridiculously expensive.

Unread post by **Wendy F** » 21 Jan 2013, 19:47

We, well Steve, had a chat with one of the taxi man at the port side and did a deal with him. We had a full day visiting the sites of Rome. He would stop at one of the sites and give us a certain length of time there and them we moved on to another site. We had a great day but I would agree steer clear of the gladiators. Trevi Fountain is beautiful, sure you will have a great day what ever you do, Rome is lovely.

Unread post by **Romig1** » 21 Jan 2013, 20:27

Lulu, I'm not bothered about The Vatican on this visit at least, but will be discussing preferences with Wina soon.

(That's if I get off this forum long enough to talk to her!)

Wendy, that sounds great, but having met me, you'll appreciate that option is a bit pricey for my blood pressure!

Unread post by **Wendy F** » 21 Jan 2013, 21:14

Ok Rob you have a point there, but it is well worth the extra euro or two or three !! Go on treat yourselves

Unread post by **Lulucat** » 21 Jan 2013, 21:39

Was it the ridiculously expensive bit that put you off R? Believe me, I thought it was and I am not slow in spending money when we are away as you know lol.

Unread post by **Emrobo** » 22 Jan 2013, 11:13

We booked Rome on your own this time - we have been to Rome before on another cruise, and wanted something a bit different this time, plus my friend lives there so she took us to all the places we missed last time

I recommend if you want a ship's excursion the do 'Rome on your own'

Unread post by **Mrs007** » 22 Jan 2013, 13:50

Mrs007 wrote:
Don't forget about the Uffizi Tour in the Vatican too Debs, DD should be able to get in next time.

Doh!

Should of course have been the Scavi Tour, mixing up my Florence's with my Rome's.

Unread post by **Romig1** » 22 Jan 2013, 19:43

Thanks for all the replies.

We've decided that we're going to wait until onboard before deciding and booking, for a couple (or three) reasons.

1) We will be able to use our OBC on the tour.
2) There may be further options available on the ship
3) We will probably be able to get further information on the itineraries from the tour sales people

If we end up not getting our choice of tour, I'm sure that we will be able to get our second or even third. There does seem to be much overlap between the itineraries.

Unread post by **Delboy** » 22 Jan 2013, 23:19

Here is a report I was asked to post on a DIY trip to Rome by train from Civitavecchia on another forum,It may be of interest want to go to Rome by train.

http://www.cruises.co.uk/1255-rome_chat ... post220525

I had previously done the Essence Of Rome tour from a cruise we had done on Ventura, a whole day tour, a little expensive but well worth the money.

Unread post by **seashell** » 31 Mar 2013, 17:59

We did Rome on our own and was surprised how easy it was considering how lots of people had told us that it couldnt be done in a day. My other half doesnt walk too fast and we managed it. It cost us £10 return in October. Bought train ticket from kiosk just off the shuttle bus. Five minute walk to station,it took just over an hour on train, got off station nearest to St Peters Square is 5 mins from station. We got a very good free map of Rome from behind Vatican it was very detailed, queues were gathering even at 9.15. We then went to Spanish Steps, Trevvi Fountain, Irish Bar (had half of Gunness in order to use the loo, distinct lack of Public conveniences.) Pantheon, and finally Colliseum. we then caught the train from the main terminal.

I printed of train timetables before we went. We had a lovely day and for our first time we were quite proud of ourselves.

My son and his girlfriend went on an organised P & O Tour and didnt see it all, quite rushed.
I suppose it depends on what you want from it, we would certainly do it again on our own.

Unread post by **Romig1** » 02 Apr 2013, 20:14

Thanks for that Seashell.

I doubt we'll be brave enough to take the train on our first visit. Having spoken to my Mum who has been a couple of times, we've now (probably

) decided to book the Rome on your Own P&O tour. That way, we will be able to do our own thing on foot (have got a map given too) without worrying about getting back too late.

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