Rome

[pusskat]

Hi Romig 1
I have just booked with smartcruisetours.com for a return coach from the drop off point at port gates at 9am , to St peters with priority entrance, it departs at 4 gets back 5.30 it was 22 euro each. It sounded ok if thats any help to you.They do tours of Rome as well.
Lin

[HK phooey]

I loved Rome. We got the train, very easy and they run so frequently there is really no danger of missing the ship. If I'm completely honest, there was a tiny language barrier at the station and we weren't really sure if the train we climbed on was going to Rome but we took a chance and luckily it was An American tour guide touted us in St Peter's square and for a very reasonable fee we managed to jump the enormous queues completely, entering round the side. We had a guided tour with plenty of time to look around. I can't fully describe the feeling as we entered the Cistine Chapel except to say that for me, it was overwhelming and something I'll never forget. We were going to jump in a cab to go the the Colesseum but I think the cabbie thought we were trying to buy the cab, not hire it - there is no other explanation for the price he quoted! Rome has a fantastic atmosphere but it is very expensive, sorry Romig.

[Mr-big-bits-mk2]

We did a P&O coach tour to Rome last year, the see everything see nothing one as someone said earlier.

I can't add much more than the posters before me except to say take a close look at the driving and parking in Rome as by our standard it looks to be total anarchy and will take your breath away at times.

Another little snippet is many of the big billboard type advertising signs are in English. Seems the Italians regard English as a bit posh and swanky like perhaps we regard French.

[noddy10]

Website you might find useful if going to Rome by train:
http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportat ... -the-day-2

[oldbluefox]

That's a useful link noddy, for anyone contemplating using the train.

If we were doing an overnight in Rome I would certainly do it but with negotiating the train and the Metro as well I'd probably be on tenterhooks to be on my way back before the ship sailed so it wouldn't be worth it for the few hours you get in Rome. I'd probably waste half my day working out where everything was and how to manage it. However from the photographs it looks like there are plenty who do use it and good luck to them.

[Phantom menace]

We did P&O trip Rome by train. I can highly recommend if you are a bit nervous about taking the public service. Firstly there is no mention of this excursion in the personaliser and even on board no mention either, well there wasn't at first but may have been later. We had seen this trip whilst onboard last year so kept it in mind for this year. We went to the tour desk on embarkation day and asked about the trip. The only description of the staffs response could be "cagey". We couldn't understand why they were being so funny about saying whether the trip existed or not. They took our details and our tickets arrived the next day.

The trip started with a coach taking us to a platform outside the docks not the main train station, where we boarded a train. It was quite old looking and full of character. The seats were very comfortable and good air conditioning. We went straight to Rome with no stops. I think it took about 1 hour. A tour guide was onboard and suggested a walking route she thought we could do in the time we had. She also had 2 other tours which we could buy, one was an express ticket into the Vatican and the other an open top bus tour. If you bought these they were charged to your onboard ship account.

We had approx 6 hours in Rome. We managed to see most of the sights following the guides route just couldn't be bothered in the heat to walk any more. On return we boarded the train for a comfortable journey back to the ship, again to the platform outside the docks and then by coach to the ship. Should have mentioned the train goes to the St. Peter's stop, also the train parked on a siding for the day so if we wanted we could leave things onboard. We got back to the station quite early and there is a little coffee shop at the station selling some cold drinks and ice creams. We watched the passengers boarding the public service and was pleased we had made our choice, no standing for us. If we cruise to this port again we will definitely do this trip again.

[barney]

Romig
we did the Essence of Rome tour and couldn't praise it highly enough

It was a bit expensive. About £100 each I think but well worth every penny in my opinion.

We left Oceana at about 7.30 and arrived in Rome about 8.30.

All with a brilliant tour guide with remote headphones.

First was the Forum, then Colleseum (inside) the back on coach for the Trevi fountain

A nice three course lunch included then on to the Vatican. The real beauty was the queue jumping. Straight through on everything

It was a great Vatican tour and included the Sistine Chapel

Back to the ship for about 6.00 pm and asleep by 6.15

It was curry night in the Belvedere that night so we wandered up for a ruby and a beer and went back to bed

All in all, a brilliant day. One of my best.

[Mariner Mike]

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.

If you do like doing your own thing in a city but are nervous about taking the train, we did the Rome on Your Own trip and found it great. You get advice and guidance from a courier on the trip out, some guide sheets for walking tours in Rome, and the courier took us buy day long tickets for the underground. We left Ventura about 8:00 and got back about 6 in the evening.

Might suit you if you want to bear it in mind.


Happy Sailing

[Romig1]

We eventually opted for the "Rome on your own" option. The coach drop off was at the underground coach park at St peters Square, from where we did a whistle-stop visit to the main sights. From St peter's Square (we didn't go in the Vatican) we headed past the citadel to the Spanish Steps, followed by Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Forum, Colloseum, and Piazza Navona. Then back to St Peter's Square for the coach pick-up. A busy day, but enjoyable for those new to Rome...we saw everything, but nothing...if that makes sense. If and when we return, we will be able to visit our choices in more depth.

[Dancing Queen]

We did exactly the same as you R on our first visit to Rome, saw everything but saw nothing, we have been back several times since and each time we choose one thing to concentrate on, next visit it will probably be the Sistine Chapel as this is the only thing we haven't done now, always been put off by the long queues.

[Mariner Mike]

Glad it worked out though the drop off seems to have changed - we were dropped off by the central station on a tree lined strada. We've now just got the colisseum to do in detail, so glad that the Med is still in fashion!! (See Kenhini's post on this.)

Happy Sailing

Mike

[Romig1]

Glad it worked out though the drop off seems to have changed - we were dropped off by the central station on a tree lined strada. We've now just got the colisseum to do in detail, so glad that the Med is still in fashion!! (See Kenhini's post on this.)

Happy Sailing

Mike

Hi Mike, my sister when she did this tour in the past was dropped somewhere Piazza Navona. I don't know if it's now the norm to go to the Vatican coach park - which I think is quite new?

[Quizzical Bob]

Glad it worked out though the drop off seems to have changed - we were dropped off by the central station on a tree lined strada. We've now just got the colisseum to do in detail, so glad that the Med is still in fashion!! (See Kenhini's post on this.)

Happy Sailing

Mike

Hi Mike, my sister when she did this tour in the past was dropped somewhere Piazza Navona. I don't know if it's now the norm to go to the Vatican coach park - which I think is quite new?

We've always been dropped at the Vatican before. We have done the Rome on your Own about four times before, the last time being about three years ago.

[Romig1]

Glad it worked out though the drop off seems to have changed - we were dropped off by the central station on a tree lined strada. We've now just got the colisseum to do in detail, so glad that the Med is still in fashion!! (See Kenhini's post on this.)

Happy Sailing

Mike

Hi Mike, my sister when she did this tour in the past was dropped somewhere Piazza Navona. I don't know if it's now the norm to go to the Vatican coach park - which I think is quite new?

We've always been dropped at the Vatican before. We have done the Rome on your Own about four times before, the last time being about three years ago.

Bob, didn't the coach drop-off used to be on the road through the square?

[Quizzical Bob]

Glad it worked out though the drop off seems to have changed - we were dropped off by the central station on a tree lined strada. We've now just got the colisseum to do in detail, so glad that the Med is still in fashion!! (See Kenhini's post on this.)

Happy Sailing

Mike

Hi Mike, my sister when she did this tour in the past was dropped somewhere Piazza Navona. I don't know if it's now the norm to go to the Vatican coach park - which I think is quite new?

We've always been dropped at the Vatican before. We have done the Rome on your Own about four times before, the last time being about three years ago.

Bob, didn't the coach drop-off used to be on the road through the square?

Hi Romig, we always used to dismount in the underground car park and the guide would show us the toilets downstairs in the plastic Saints and icons shop near St Peters Square. The pick up was in the Via Della Conciliazione, the road that leads down from the square to the river. What they do nowadays I can't say. On our last visit we all did the trip by train, which worked out quite well.

[Jean W]

Like others we have been to Rome a few times - seen it all and seen nothing On one trip we decided to go in the opposite direction and did a tour which included food and wine tasting - as per usual

In 2011 on Azura, we too had heard about the train with P&O and booked when we got on board. It was superb and took all the worry out of 'using the train DIY'. My Husband had done a load of research, but me being such a worrier, still wouldn't do it.

Should we get the opportunity again, we would most certainly go with P&O.

PM - your description was spot-on - thank you.