What to do with luggage?

[katiemylady]

Hi all! We are cruising out of Rome port on 5/25. Cruise leaves around 5 pm, but our flights gets in to FCO at 7:30 am. We would like to explore Rome a bit (we know it’s a drive to get to the city center, but willing to do it just for a bit!), but we aren’t quite sure what to do with our luggage? We don’t want to do a ton, just look at the Trevi Fountain, maybe the Vatican, or a hop-on, hop-off tour? We have AAA, wondering if we should go there to ask about transfers from airport to city center and then city center to cruise port. This is our first time cruising internationally! 

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, katiemylady said:

Hi all! We are cruising out of Rome port on 5/25. Cruise leaves around 5 pm, but our flights gets in to FCO at 7:30 am. We would like to explore Rome a bit (we know it’s a drive to get to the city center, but willing to do it just for a bit!), but we aren’t quite sure what to do with our luggage? We don’t want to do a ton, just look at the Trevi Fountain, maybe the Vatican, or a hop-on, hop-off tour? We have AAA, wondering if we should go there to ask about transfers from airport to city center and then city center to cruise port. This is our first time cruising internationally! 

 

It's hard to avoid asking why you're not spending a day or two in Rome before your cruise if you want to see anything of the city.

 

Assuming your flight arrives on time, you won't be out of the airport with your luggage until around 9:00 am, and it will be 9:30 or later before you actually reach Rome. Most cruise lines encourage you to board no later than two hours prior to the departure time; not sure what the actual cut-off time is but you don't want to cut it too close...  To make a 3:00 pm boarding time, you should leave the city not later than 1:30 pm.

 

So....you have 4 hours to see a city with thousands of years of history. The only way I see even getting a taste of the city would be to hire a private transfer to pick you up at the airport and whisk you around to a few key sites in the city. No way you have time for the Vatican museum or Sistine chapel. At best you could visit Trevi Fountain, get some outside photos of the Colosseum and Forum, possibly photos of St. Peter's and a quick dash inside if the security lines aren't too long.

 

It won't be inexpensive, but given your limitations I think it would be this or just go straight to the port.

[euro cruiser]

Well, it's not ideal but on a budget you could take the train from the airport to Rome Termini and store your luggage there while you go and visit a couple of sites, then return to pick up your bags and take the train to Civitavecchia.

 

As noted above, you won't get to see much but you could take some pictures at the Trevi Fountain and one or two other sites.

 

AAA isn't going to be much help in Europe.

[katiemylady]

On 3/31/2022 at 8:37 PM, cruisemom42 said:

 

It's hard to avoid asking why you're not spending a day or two in Rome before your cruise if you want to see anything of the city.

 

At best you could visit Trevi Fountain, get some outside photos of the Colosseum and Forum, possibly photos of St. Peter's and a quick dash inside if the security lines aren't too long.

 

It won't be inexpensive, but given your limitations I think it would be this or just go straight to the port.

It's not hard to answer the question. The cruise we are going on is 11 nights, and given our vacation time allotted from each of our companies, we don't have much time to add days before or after the cruise. We would definitely be okay with Trevi Fountain and outside photos of Colosseum. We will look into to some private transfers or possibly go the train route. 

[mapleleaves]

Can you easily manage your luggage?

A couple of options depending on whether or not you can manage your luggage, and how you choose to get to the port:

-  leave your luggage at the airport's Left Luggage, take the train into Rome for your sightseeing, then come back to the airport collect your luggage and take a shared or private ride to the port.

- take the train from FCO to Termini, leave your luggage at Left Luggage, sightsee, then collect your luggage and take the train to Civi, or take a shared a shared/private ride to the port

 

[CCJack]

I would agree that hiring a private driver with a van is the way to go - let them know you have luggage.   Solves two problems:  luggage and a local guide to make the most of your limited time.    

[euro cruiser]

47 minutes ago, CCJack said:

I would agree that hiring a private driver with a van is the way to go - let them know you have luggage.   Solves two problems:  luggage and a local guide to make the most of your limited time.    

Perhaps, as long as you understand that a driver is not a guide and they cannot leave the vehicle and escort you anywhere (nor would you want them to, someone has to stay with the luggage).

[marazul]

45 minutes ago, euro cruiser said:

Perhaps, as long as you understand that a driver is not a guide and they cannot leave the vehicle and escort you anywhere (nor would you want them to, someone has to stay with the luggage).

If you arrange a transfer/tour with a reputable company that includes both a guide and a driver, you are safe leaving the luggage in the car because the driver will stay with the car.

[katiemylady]

Thanks all! We ended up booking a private transfer with a short half day tour of some of the most popular sites (Trevi Fountain, etc) and it was very reaosnably priced! 

[SusieKIslandGirl]

What transfer company did you book with? Thanks!

[katiemylady]

10 hours ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

What transfer company did you book with? Thanks!

We booked with MyCabinRome! He was excellent to work with and is going to give us exactly what we were hoping for! 

[marazul]

Also Stefano's https://www.romecabs.com/