By Marina Aagaard, MFE
Mediterranean Cruise Day 3: Excursion Day Rome
An alluring DAILY program today with sports and games plus stretching and aerobics as well as table soccer tournament etcetera; endless on board action.
But … anyone NOT for Rome???
Arrival 07:00 Civitavecchia.
All on board 17:30. Departure 18:00.
Civitavecchia is a small town sea port of the province of Rome, the cruise ship port.
You could choose to spend a couple of hours there and then return to the ship.
Or you could go to Rome, “The Eternal City” according to the Roman poets.
If you have not (or if you have) visited Roma, the star of numerous romantic movies (star of this cruise itinerary, too) and # 4 on the list of Best Destinations in the World 2013, you should go without hesitation.
Option 1: Buy cruise ship Rome classic full day tour excursion: EUR 99.
Option 2: Buy cruise ship Rome on your own excursion: EUR 49.
Option 3: Step off the ship (moored at Civitavecchia port), step onto compulsory shuttle bus (due to local safety regulations you are not allowed to walk inside the port of Civitavecchia), a short ride, then a 5-minute walk to the train station, and train to Rome; approx. 50-60 minutes: Ticket: From 5-15 EUR (one way).
But be careful, if you choose the option of going on your own. The cruise ship does not wait for you, and as Italian railways exemplifies the relaxed mediterranean lifestyle, chances are you will be delayed, only question is ‘how long a delay?’
Rome is still Rome even on a not-so-sunny day. Photo from roof of St. Peter’s Basilica. Tip: Do not bring any sharp or suspicious objects to that Basilica, if you want to get in.
Security is stricter than at airport! And guards will not store objects, only discard.
Rome, the capital of Italy (and of the Province of Rome), population of 2,8 million, was –according to the legend – founded 753 BC by one of two not so loving wolfe-raised brothers, Romulus and Remus (the latter killed by brother).
The Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo is magic, but so are all of the ceilings of the Vatican Museum: Prepare to spend a day – and have a sore neck.
The historic centre of Rome is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact all of this city is packed with points of interest for anyone with an interest in aqua, aqueducts, architecture of all ages and art:
St. Peter’s Basilica, Colosseum, Forum Romanum, Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon, Terme di Caracalla, the Vatican City with the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel and much much much more.
That fountain again! Swamped with tourists as it is 24-7 (365).
Terme di Caracalla; one of the original SPA’s (Sanum Per Aquam, health through water).
Aha. So that is how it got its name (see if you can spot the people on the balcony).
Lovely, lovely lambos. One at every other corner actually.
And a heart-shaped garden. I rest my case.
Summary:
Pro: Just walking the streets of Rome provides billions of beautiful ‘bits’.
Con: A day is simply not enough, you need weeks to get around, to get to the top and to the bottom of Rome. It has got to be “Arrividerci Roma” (again, as it is).
Late afternoon: On board once again, enjoying (again) a mega-meal sporting a casual dress as suggested, window shopping at the shopping arcade and reading … books at the library? No, cocktail list at the bar.
Program of the evening: Sogno Italiano musical hits, Tarantella Dance Lesson, Mega Bingo, Little Italy with the Entertainment Team and ‘All Night Long’ at the Disco.
Do not let cruise stress get to you. Select or reject.
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