Rome self disembark?

[ggroup]

Our flight leaves FCO at 1020 and the Silhouette arrives at 0500 (on a Saturday). Is this possible if we book a private car transfer at 0600 or so?

 

Does this port allow us to carry bags off the ship?

[Saab4444]

Our flight leaves FCO at 1020 and the Silhouette arrives at 0500 (on a Saturday). Is this possible if we book a private car transfer at 0600 or so?

 

Does this port allow us to carry bags off the ship?

 

The port allows this and if you arrive from another EU port there is no immigration process.

 

However, the ship must be cleared for debarkation by local authorities and the debarkation process must be prepared also by the land-based terminal staff. This normally does not happen before 7 am.

 

Bottom line it is possible but tight.

[JohninDC]

I would also check the Italy ports board for info on this question. We used Romeinlimo for private airport transfer a coupe of years ago and the drive took right at an hour.

[morbihan]

Yes, they told us we could disembark at 06.30 but it was later than that when we started going through the control.

 

Then, of course, we were held up by people being given back goods smuggled abord.

 

Oh. That was me and my corkscrew:D

[az_tchr]

The answer is probably to maybe. Can you get a pickup at 6am with a 6am docking? No. Probably 6:30. The big question is Rome traffic as you need to have bags CHECKED before 0850. Unless you have no other choice would not do it as you are 50/50 or a bit less to make you flight. A tiny fender bender and you are late. An issue with customs not setting up quickly and you are delayed. Nothing works on time in Italy.

[Maligator]

FCO is about 45 minutes from the port. Make sure you turn in your debarkation questionnaire, as that's how the ship assigns your debarkation time. Private transportation picked up just outside the luggage tent.

 

Count on an obnoxious airport security screening for US flights. You'll start at Terminal 5 and go through several layers of security and check-in. Since T5 has no actual gates, you'll board a bus to get to your actual terminal. Just keep your passport out (or within easy reach) until you're on the plane. We had to show ours to seven different people between the sidewalk and the jetway.

Edited December 10, 2015 by HickoryShampoo

[Dblreed]

We recently had a 10:50 flight out of FCO after a cruise. Pre-booked a private transfer, got in line early for self-debarkation, and had no problem getting to FCO with time to spare.

[ptrpanpens]

Much easier to make a flight if it is going to another Schengen country rather than to the US so you dont have to go through T5. I easily made a 10:20 flight to Bologna last year from Rome. But going through T5 to the US? Don't know if I would risk it.

[Oliver Wilson]

We have done mid-late morning flights the last 3 years from Rome with our June 2015 being on a 10:20 Flt. Private drivers were more expensive before 7am so we went with a 7am pickup. We are fairly seasoned travelers, have no mobility issues and were comfortable with our decision. We self disembarked early and were down around 6:45 with the happy discovery that our driver was already waiting for us. We had plenty of time to spare even with some of the confusion from the recent airport fire.

 

IMO self disembarkation in Rome (say versus the US) is less popular (certainly no mass exodus) because of the larger number of passengers with later flights, few have their car at the port :) or extended stays post-cruise.

Edited December 10, 2015 by Oliver Wilson

[DrivesLikeMario]

FCO is about 45 minutes from the port. Make sure you turn in your debarkation questionnaire, as that's how the ship assigns your debarkation time. Private transportation picked up just outside the luggage tent.

 

Count on an obnoxious airport security screening for US flights. You'll start at Terminal 5 and go through several layers of security and check-in. Since T5 has no actual gates, you'll board a bus to get to your actual terminal. Just keep your passport out (or within easy reach) until you're on the plane. We had to show ours to seven different people between the sidewalk and the jetway.

 

That is exactly what we experienced! You walk in to armed guards on a catwalk above you and line, after line, after line! I have never been screened so much in my life. It took forever to get to the gate, then once the flight was called, it took a long time to get to the airplane. Plan PLENTY of time for all of this.

 

OP- We had about 45 mins. to spare for a 12noon flight. We were off about 1/2 hr. after the ship docked and counted ourselves really lucky. We were about the 10th people off the ship (waiting by the gangway with our bags with a hoard of others), our private transfer was waiting and we zipped right out to the airport while our female driver yelled on not one, but TWO, cell phones the whole way. :eek:

Edited December 10, 2015 by DrivesLikeMario

[ggroup]

Thanks for all of your responses. I have booked a private transfer who will be waiting for us at 0630 and since it is a Saturday, I am hoping for less traffic?

 

We are in a suite so I am hoping that we will be among the first off the ship for self-disembarkation. We will give it a go and hope for the best.

[az_tchr]

Saturday traffic will be a bit better. Get in line early and simply hope the ship is cleared early - it was 7:20 last year on Constellation before anyone was off. Let us know what time you got to the gate.

 

You are certainly going to be cutting it close.

 

My main concern after speaking with grandson who lives in Rome is new screening procedures. Took him over 90 minutes to clear security this week on a flight to Amsterdam early on a Sunday. He said for US flights passengers were getting screened again in the gate area.

[Oliver Wilson]

Thanks for all of your responses. I have booked a private transfer who will be waiting for us at 0630 and since it is a Saturday, I am hoping for less traffic?

 

 

 

We are in a suite so I am hoping that we will be among the first off the ship for self-disembarkation. We will give it a go and hope for the best.

 

 

Tip (and hoping not to tick off others) but the Michaels Club concierge will likely be available to escort you off avoiding any lines. Make friends with them when on board and they will know and expect you. Lots of tips on navigating the terminals including know which one you leave from and not being dropped at the wrong one can be helpful. If you have status on your airline, even better. If you share your destination or if you stop somewhere first that could make a difference.

[morbihan]

It was just first come, first served when we disembarked.

 

There were crowds!

 

People would not have been pleased if someone had sailed straight to the front.