St peter's basilica

[jackretired]

How do you get there for a tour as a solo cruise passenger?

 

HAL excursion?

On your own? (what train, where get off the train, how to get to the train)

Shared excursion? (which tour company)

[TLCOhio]

How do you get there for a tour as a solo cruise passenger? HAL excursion? On your own? (what train, where get off the train, how to get to the train) Shared excursion? (which tour company)

 

The quick, fast answers are . . . yes, yes and yes. You could use a ship tour, but those have their draw-backs with the somewhat slower "mass" of being with 30-45 of your closest friends on a large bus being led through these great places as the guide barks out a set script. You could do it on your own, but Rome is a large, confusing city. Been there three times. So much so super, super wonderful is there in Rome, but making it all flow and work smoothly can be challenging on your own as a first-timer.

 

Personally, we have used RomeInLimo for us in other key Italy ports and last year we pointed our Arizona friends in their direction for this great city. It worked so super well. Now RomeInLimo has a feature to match you with others in maybe a smaller, total group of 6-8 people. At that smaller size, things can be more "personal", allowing time to ask questions, have a conversation with your guide, learn more, enjoy the experience, etc. That is the route I would suggest. Just Google them, send an e-mail, tell them your timing and exact interests, etc. Tell them that Terry in Ohio pointed you this way.

 

Have you read much on Rome, its history, options? What are your personal interests, past Europe experiences, etc. Tell us more!! Keep these good questions rolling along!! Lots of great ideas and people are here on these boards and they are happy to help. Don't be shy!! The only "dumb" question is the one you don't ask. Keep researching and planning. It will be very helpful for when you do your actual trip and that experience.

 

Below are a few of preview pictures about Rome and its many great options. More below on my live/blog from visiting these and other Med ports.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 118,768 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

This is the dramatic front view of St. Peter’s and the Square with the beautiful sky over this historic setting on June 10, 2011, during our visit and doing the Scavi tour under the Vatican in Rome. This dramatic Cathedral is the world's largest!:

 

 

 

From inside St. Peter’s in Rome in June 2011, this is the view of the heart of this great Basilica and its magnificent dome by Michelangelo.:

 

 

 

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, this is a portion of the main floor area for where the body of the late Pope John Paul II has been moved. On May 3, 2011, he was give this new resting place in the marble altar in Pier Paolo Cristofari's Chapel of St. Sebastian. This prominent location is next to the Chapel of the Pieta. They completed this change as he was elevated and moves towards Sainthood. Crowds were big and busy inside this huge Cathedral, the world's largest.:

 

 

 

As we walked from St. Peter’s, we crossed the Tiberi River and saw this view of Castel Sant’Angelo. This castle has great history, starting as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in 139 AD. It later provided security for Popes in times of attack.:

 

 

 

In front of Rome’s Pantheon, built between 118-125 AD, here is a view of the people and sights at this historic part of this great city.:

 

[maryann ns]

Go to the Roll Call here for your cruise and see if you can join another group.

 

Or, f you want to go on your own, do a search here and on Trip Advisor to see how to book your ticket for the Sistine Chapel and how to get there by bus.

 

Rick Steves' guides to Rome and Italy and his guide to European Cruise ports would all explain how to go on your own.

[euro cruiser]

You can easily take the train. The station in Civitavecchia is a short (less than a half mile) walk from where the port shuttle bus drops you off.

 

A 5-zone BIRG ticket, which you can purchase at the newsstand in the train station, covers round trip train fare on regional trains as well as all mass transit in Rome for the entire day and costs only 12 Euro.

 

The regional train from Civitavecchia to Roma San Pietro takes between 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the number of stops for the particular train.

 

From the Rome San Pietro station to St. Peter's basilica is a little more than a half mile walk.

[cruisemom42]

If what you want to see is St. Peter's Basilica, I don't think you would find it challenging or confusing to do on your own. In fact, it's very straightforward.

 

Take the FREE port shuttle from your ship to the port entrance.

 

With the port at your back, turn right and walk about 5-6 blocks along the street (water on your right) toward the Civitavecchia train station.

 

Along the way or at the station, purchase what is called a BIRG ticket. This ticket includes your round-trip train travel on any regional train to and from Rome, as well as the use of any buses or metro in Rome during the day, should you want to use them. The cost is currently 12 euro.

 

This is what the train station looks like: http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4/6413573-Civitavecchia_train_station_Civitavecchia.jpg

 

Undoubtedly you'll find other passengers doing the same thing.

 

The trains run regularly; about every 30-40 minutes. There is no assigned seating. The trains take about an hour to reach your station.

 

You'll want to get off the train at the Roma-San Pietro station. This is the station closest to St. Peter's Basilica. From the station, you will just head toward the dome of St. Peter's; maybe a 10-15 minute walk.

 

If this is your only stop, you can just retrace your steps to get back to Civitavecchia. A word of warning -- the later afternoon trains can get crowded and you may have to stand part or all of the way back.

 

One other important thing: you must validate your ticket before boarding the train in Civitavecchia. There are little yellow (or I think the new ones are green) boxes that you stick your ticket into to be stamped. You only need to do it the first time with the BIRG ticket. If you fail to validate the ticket, you could get fined should they check tickets on the train.

 

Photo of ticket validation machines (some are newer): http://onceinalifetimetravel.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/validation-box-21.jpg

 

Link to current schedule/timetable of trains running between Civitavecchia and Rome: http://traintorome.maxonthenet.altervista.org/?lang=eng

 

 

It's really very easy!

[Cornishpastyman1]

I got there are 9.10 in early July and walked straight in

You can see the length of the line when I left at 10.30 in the final scene. Good luck, Tony

[texancruzer]

When looking for the combination of the easiest and most cost effective - both together........

 

go to your roll call and join some other people from your ship on a private tour !!!

 

 

You can do a ship tour - but as pointed out its not the optimum choice

 

You can do a private tour on your own - but ouch !!! $$$$$$$

 

You can do the train - cheapest but also the most "work" on your part, you are also alone and Rome should be shared imo

 

If you are with a group from your ship there is a comfort of having others with you - and we have enjoyed the shared tours we have done and made some friends in the process.

 

Remember you are not "joined at the hip" with these people and most of the time you get some "free time" on your own too.

[cruisemom42]

You can do the train - cheapest but also the most "work" on your part, you are also alone and Rome should be shared imo

 

 

Uh, really?

 

I much prefer to keep Rome to myself and enjoy it on my own. :cool:

[1SMURFF99A]

The quick, fast answers are . . . yes, yes and yes. You could use a ship tour, but those have their draw-backs with the somewhat slower "mass" of being with 30-45 of your closest friends on a large bus being led through these great places as the guide barks out a set script. You could do it on your own, but Rome is a large, confusing city. Been there three times. So much so super, super wonderful is there in Rome, but making it all flow and work smoothly can be challenging on your own as a first-timer.

 

Personally, we have used RomeInLimo for us in other key Italy ports and last year we pointed our Arizona friends in their direction for this great city. It worked so super well. Now RomeInLimo has a feature to match you with others in maybe a smaller, total group of 6-8 people. At that smaller size, things can be more "personal", allowing time to ask questions, have a conversation with your guide, learn more, enjoy the experience, etc. That is the route I would suggest. Just Google them, send an e-mail, tell them your timing and exact interests, etc. Tell them that Terry in Ohio pointed you this way.

 

Have you read much on Rome, its history, options? What are your personal interests, past Europe experiences, etc. Tell us more!! Keep these good questions rolling along!! Lots of great ideas and people are here on these boards and they are happy to help. Don't be shy!! The only "dumb" question is the one you don't ask. Keep researching and planning. It will be very helpful for when you do your actual trip and that experience.

 

Below are a few of preview pictures about Rome and its many great options. More below on my live/blog from visiting these and other Med ports.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 118,768 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

This is the dramatic front view of St. Peter’s and the Square with the beautiful sky over this historic setting on June 10, 2011, during our visit and doing the Scavi tour under the Vatican in Rome. This dramatic Cathedral is the world's largest!:

 

 

 

From inside St. Peter’s in Rome in June 2011, this is the view of the heart of this great Basilica and its magnificent dome by Michelangelo.:

 

 

 

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, this is a portion of the main floor area for where the body of the late Pope John Paul II has been moved. On May 3, 2011, he was give this new resting place in the marble altar in Pier Paolo Cristofari's Chapel of St. Sebastian. This prominent location is next to the Chapel of the Pieta. They completed this change as he was elevated and moves towards Sainthood. Crowds were big and busy inside this huge Cathedral, the world's largest.:

 

 

 

As we walked from St. Peter’s, we crossed the Tiberi River and saw this view of Castel Sant’Angelo. This castle has great history, starting as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in 139 AD. It later provided security for Popes in times of attack.:

 

 

 

In front of Rome’s Pantheon, built between 118-125 AD, here is a view of the people and sights at this historic part of this great city.:

 

 

Hey Terry from Columbus Oh, this is Lucy from Hilliard. We are going to Rome in November to get on a TA cruise. We are thinking of using RomeinLimo for a day tour and transfer to cruise port. We might also see about a tour in Florence. :)

[texancruzer]

Uh, really?

 

I much prefer to keep Rome to myself and enjoy it on my own. :cool:

 

Yes Cynthia, but all of us around here know you are one of kind :D

 

I consider myself pretty independent but I could never see myself traveling the world alone as you do.

 

Just glad that after you come back you enjoy sharing all your knowledge with us !!!!!!

[TLCOhio]

Hey Terry from Columbus Oh, this is Lucy from Hilliard. We are going to Rome in November to get on a TA cruise. We are thinking of using RomeinLimo for a day tour and transfer to cruise port. We might also see about a tour in Florence. :)

 

Hi, Lucy! Know Hilliard well. I live in Clintonville. YES, doing Rome and/or Florence can be great. Both are wonderful with so much great history, architecture, beauty, culture, etc. Lots to enjoy and experience there. Good luck on your TA.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 118,768 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[VirtualRain]

How do you get there for a tour as a solo cruise passenger?

 

HAL excursion?

On your own? (what train, where get off the train, how to get to the train)

Shared excursion? (which tour company)

 

It's totally doable yourself! To add to some of the great advice already posted above, I wrote somewhat of an essay on doing Rome on your own in a day while in port, including details on taking the train into Rome (and back) and how to cover a lot of the major sites including St. Peter's in a walking tour... check it out... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1518706

[Ctaycruiser]

You can jump on the train to Termini Station....get a ticket for the Hop On and Hop Offf number 110 (run by the city of Rome, it operates more frequently than the other hop on and off buses)....and get to the Vatican.

 

IF you also want to visit the Vatican Museums be sure to prebook your Vatican Museum tickets in advance so you don't wait in line. Also you can get to the Basilica from the Vatican Museums once you end up in the Sistine Chapel (so basically no lines at all!)