Hi
there are so many fabulous places to stay in Rome, I have never used Celebrity for a pre cruise hotel stay but have met people in the ship that always do, simply for peace of mind and not having to worry about transport to from the port.
However for me as I love to research so I will always book my Hotel either direct or through the App. Over the years I have gained status with the big hotel chains and sometimes get a room upgrade.
Because of the age of some of the buildings, rooms can be small and lifts can be slow. We are sailing from Rome in
September and I booked our hotel some time ago. What I have discovered because I am a nerd and keep checking prices, is that the cost of rooms has doubled since I booked.
I would recommend the hop on hop off buses they are a great way to get around and see the sights. I would also advise to book tickets in advance and use a guide to bypass the queues. You will have a great time we love Rome.