Departure Day in Rome

[orchid2010]

Hi, a young friend is taking a cruise on Viking from Rome to Venice for their honeymoon.  They booked flights through Viking so they have airport transfers built in.  However, they would like to spend a few hours in Rome after they land, prior to meeting their ship in Civitavecchia.  They have two questions -- 1) what can they do with their luggage for the day?  Will Viking take it to the ship for them, even if they travel later, or will they have to make other arrangements? and 2) what is the best way for them to get from Rome to Civitavecchia?  They realize they should have planned an overnight in Rome to have more time, but their budget was limited so they are trying to make this work.  Tips would be appreciated!

[HUNKY]

They can turn over their luggage to the Viking staff after baggage claim.  They need to let those same staff know they are not going to be on the bus.

[Peregrina651]

]?What time do they land? What time is sailaway? Guests must check in no later than 2 hours before sailing? Figure 2 to 2.5 hours for travel time including getting to and from the various stations -- longer if you have to stand in line for tickets. This does not include airplane seat to exiting international arrivals luggage in hand -- and I have no idea how much time to allow.

 

After you figure out the number of hours between landing in Rome and latest check in time and after you subtract the time you will spend getting to and from Rome, the question becomes how much time do you have to see Rome and is that a reasonable amount of time considering the effort to get there and then to the ship.  Yes, I ask the hard questions but your friends need to understand the upsides and the downside before they make their decision.  

 

Since budget is an issue, they should check out trains from the airport into Rome and then Rome to Civitavecchia.  Trenitalia.com. The site is in English.  Trains are faster than buses and don't have to worry about traffic.  You do have to worry about strikes, however. They are usually  announced in advance. 

 

BUT, the big stumbling block is the luggage.  Viking contracts shoreside services from local companies and each port has its own way of operating.  Contrary to what has been said, just because someone in Barcelona was able to hand their luggage over to Viking and then not get on the bus, does not mean that the same will happen in Rome. Each port is different.  

 

Best to ask Viking directly via Tellus@vikingcruises.com -- and even then be prepared to hear upon arrival in Rome that it can't be done.  

 

Finally one last thought.  If your friends have not been ticketed, it may not be too late to change their arrival date without a ticket change penalty but with the addition of a deviation fee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 12 by Peregrina651