Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Cruise shuttle to Rome...anyone used one

20 replies

Anassiam · 29/07/2024 21:30

It's a long shot but am a bit worried now. We booked a last minute cruise that takes in Rome. We booked a shuttle from the cruise ship to Rome and haven't been before so want to book a tour. The problem is that I can't find what time we'll arrive and where to anywhere. MSc won't confirm as it's Subject to change. Anyone here have any experience to share. Forever grateful xxx

OP posts:

isitfridaay · 29/07/2024 21:52

Did you book the MSC shuttle?

If so you get tickets in your cabin and they will tell you exactly when and where to meet. Usually this is a day or two in advance.

Normally you would select the time you want to depart when you book but they may just be scheduling a few days in advance.

Tours in have been on tend to depart early in the summer in the med 8am- 9.30.

When you get on board everything will fall into place and the shore excursion desk will help you with your enquiries

Happy cruising!

Original poster

Anassiam · 29/07/2024 22:04

@isitfridaay thanks so much. You sound like you know what you're talking about.

I'd love to book a golf cart tour but they're nearly all booked up so how do I book a tour while there's some few available. The kids just won't be able to walk the sights in the current heat.

OP posts:

Thejackrussellsrule · 29/07/2024 22:23

OP - there are cruise forums for MSC, you'll find one for the ship you're going on, you'll probably get some good info from there.

And if you haven't already used it, the What's in Port website is really useful.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays

isitfridaay · 29/07/2024 22:38

There will be many choices available to Rome at various price points. There would be availability on board if you are willing to chance it. Usually there are up to 100 busses on the port side waitng for whisk people away on trips! Sometimes we just book them on the day!

They can be expensive but generally worth it for the convenience.

I've never done a tour from Civitiavecchia as I just get the local train to Rome then did an open top bus tour. Or visit one or two sites and get Ubers.

However it is very hot and very dusty so it is a good place to get a tour.

If I had a choice I would leave as early as possible and avoid the Vatican and do the outdoor sights .

I prefer a half day 4-5 hours. It's an hour transfer from the port to Rome and the port it's self is huge and difficult to navigate - you need to get a bus to the port entrance then another bus to the train station so a trip is really good from this port.

We got stung in Rome buying pizza - it was beautiful and reasonable but the drinks prices weren't in the menu and wer 9 euros for a coke 10 years ago! - beware see a drink menu.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 29/07/2024 22:56

If you haven't already booked, I would highly recommend Romacabs. Stefano and his team are amazing!

Original poster

Anassiam · 30/07/2024 03:29

Thanks all, appreciate all that info. I'm easy going usually but kids and heat means more organisation is needed.
I didn't want to risk a diy so have booked the bus organised by the cruise so in theory getting there and back is sorted. It's just the middle bit of knowing what time we'll be able tojoin a tour and be back for has me bamboozled!! I checked the port site above ... thanks @Thejackrussellsrule but could see our cruise shop but no details of when it docks.

OP posts:

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 30/07/2024 03:35

I haven't cruised with MSC but have travelled with many other lines and generally, there's an itinerary on their webiste (once you have logged in to view your own booking) that will have arrival and departure times for each port.

Most cruise lines will also have shore excursions which cover an actual tour as well as the transport into town and back, so you wouldn't have to coordinate two options.

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 30/07/2024 03:41

I just went onto the MSC website and looked at their last minute deals, there's the option to 'see full itinerary' for each cruise. E.g. the one leaving Naples on 1st August arrives in Civitavecchia at 7am next day.

isitfridaay · 30/07/2024 07:12

In that case I don't think there is any way you would be able to find out

You could book a refundable tour for 11am.

If your shuttle won't make it in time ask to move to an earlier one

If they can't do that then do then cancel the refundable tour

Sallysoup · 30/07/2024 07:30

We did this excursion last year. It was an early start if I recall I think we were on the coach by 8 ish latest. The meeting point was Piazza del Popolo if that helps you plan. We just used Google and hit as many sights as we could as no young children, we had around 6 hours there. Meet up was around 3pm. Very long, hot but good day

Sallysoup · 30/07/2024 07:35

The hop on hop off bus might be better for flexibility? And a bit of shade if you can get a seat inside. There were obviously loads of children in Rome when we went but it was extremely hot and not ideal for them. Same time of year.

Original poster

Anassiam · 30/07/2024 11:22

Oh thank you all.

@Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice please can you tell me was it chrome or some other option you used to get that info. I can't log in on the app or on line in any way. Could be because a travel agent booked for us but surely not!

OP posts:

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 30/07/2024 11:46

Anassiam · 30/07/2024 11:22

Oh thank you all.

I wasn't logged in, literally just went to their website and searched for Mediterranean cruises. It's all there.

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 30/07/2024 11:46

Which one are you on? I'll get the info for you.

isitfridaay · 30/07/2024 13:26

The itinerary will tell you what time it arrives in civittavechia but it won't tell you what times the shuttle arrives in Rome.

Original poster

Anassiam · 30/07/2024 15:18

Thanks again.

We arrive Sunday 04th August. So much booked up already but if worst comes to worst will make do with hop on hop off

OP posts:

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 30/07/2024 19:38

Anassiam · 30/07/2024 15:18

Thanks again.

We arrive Sunday 04th August. So much booked up already but if worst comes to worst will make do with hop on hop off

Hey, I'm not sure if that was for me but to look up your itinerary I'd need the date and place the cruise is leaving from.

Original poster

Anassiam · 30/07/2024 23:01

Ah hello. Sorry was in the middle of meetings. No wasn't for anyone, was trying to make peace with the simpler option!!

OP posts:

isitfridaay · 05/08/2024 20:33

How was your day in Rome OP and the holiday?

Original poster

Anassiam · 22/08/2024 20:07

I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to reply. We got back last week and absolutely loved it all.
In case it helps anyone else with the same problem I was able to contact companies who were advertising on FB via WhatsApp and ask them directly if available and when and where to meet. They know the routine as it's the same for all cruise ships.
We got a golf cart tour and even tho it's expensive you get to travel via the lovely cobblestone streets and you see so much more history and context than on a hop on hop off bus. Also it was 35C when we were there and we'd have seen v little with small kids as they are just not used to it.
So thank you all. Appreciate that you could take time from your life to answer and it helped me focus on a plan. xxxx

OP posts:

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread