Rome Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia
Book a private Rome tour and see the Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and more in just one day!
Travelling by cruise ship and only have one day in Rome? Then make sure you don’t waste a second of it with this tailored private day trip from Civitavecchia. With an engaging local guide to yourself, you'll see the best of the city at your own pace. Marvel at the Colosseum, gaze in awe at the Sistine Chapel, admire famous artwork in the Vatican Museums, and throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain. With luxury transport and skip-the-line tickets, you’ll see more of Rome than you thought possible!
- Welcome to Rome!
- Skip-the-line Colosseum tour
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- Piazza Navona
- Skip-the-line Vatican Museums tour
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's Basilica
- "La Pietà" by Michelangelo
- Return transport to Civitavecchia port
In reality, you'd need a month for us to show you all of the treasures of Rome. But since you're on vacation, leave reality at home and let us show you the famous sites and hidden gems the Eternal City has to offer in a day! Your Roman day trip begins in the morning when our driver picks you up from your cruise ship at Civitavecchia port. With luxury, air-conditioned transportation, you'll drive into the city with your expert local guide. We've planned a great itinerary for you, but as a private tour you can have your say on the pace of things and any special places you want to see.
Today, your private guide will give you a tour of the mighty Colosseum before taking to the streets of Rome for a walking tour. You'll see famous landmarks including the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, and the ancient Pantheon, and you'll also have free time to enjoy an authentic Roman lunch at one of the city's incredible restaurants (not included). Before returning to your ship, you'll skip the line to enter the Vatican for a guided tour. Your guide will show you the best of the museums, as well as the Sistine Chapel and the incredible St. Peter's Basilica!
Rome Private Shore Excursion Description
Your 8-hour private Rome tour includes:
Luxury, air-conditioned private transportation from Civitavecchia (return)
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of the Colosseum
Guided walking tour of Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more
Lunch break in central Rome (lunch not included)
Skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica
Engaging, English-speaking private guide for the entire tour
Luxury Transportation Around Rome
To make this private tour in Rome super-easy for you, you'll be picked up from your cruise ship in Civitavecchia port and driven around Rome in luxury, climate-controlled vehicle. And don't worry, we'll make sure you get back to the ship in time too! Just relax and let your expert local guide take care of you, while sharing fascinating facts and stories of Rome.
Skip-the-Line Private Colosseum Tour
There are few more awe-inspiring places than the mighty Roman Colosseum, and there's no better way to explore than on a private tour! Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, you'll have skip-the-line access to avoid the crowds of tourists waiting to enter. Your expert guide will set the scene for what it felt like to attend the thrilling events that took place inside the arena from epic gladiator fights to public executions held in front of eager crowds of more than 60,000 Romans.
This tour takes you to the first and second tiers of the Colosseum—areas reserved for seating Rome’s most elite classes during the Colosseum’s gladiator games. As you look around and picture what life must have been like here, your guide will enlighten you with intriguing stories of some of the Colosseum’s most gruesome events.
Private Rome City Tour
A trip to Rome wouldn't be complete without seeing some of the most famous fountains and piazzas. After being driven into Rome's historic center, it's time to set off on a tour of the city's historic sites. While some central Rome sites can only be reached on foot, your driver will also be nearby if needed! You'll follow your guide to the beautiful Piazza Navona to see the Fountain of Four Rivers, before stepping inside the Pantheon, Rome's iconic dome with an open oculus.
Finally, you'll head to the Trevi Fountain to see what is likely the world's most famous fountain. Remember to bring some coins to make a wish here! Your guide will make sure you know how to do it just right. Along the way, your super-knowledgeable local guide will show you some of Rome's hidden gems to help you get to know the city better.
Free Time for Lunch
You'll have some free time in central Rome to grab a delicious Roman lunch, usually near the Trevi Fountain where there's a good selection of eateries. Lunch isn't included, but your guide can point out some of the best places to eat, depending on your tastes.
Guided Vatican Museums Tour
After driving to the Vatican, you'll skip the long general admission line and start exploring the impressive art collection at the Vatican Museums. Your guide will lead you on through the Vatican Museums, visiting the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps. Admire the ancient Roman and Greek statues, the Flemish tapestries created by Raphael's students, and the gorgeous topographical depictions of Italy.
At the height of the Roman Empire, pontiffs rarely left Rome. In order to understand the Italian peninsula without endangering his life, Pope Gregory XIII commissioned 40 huge and meticulous maps to be created for his use. Most of these maps measure more than 15 by 16 feet, and the end result is nothing short of spectacular.
You'll hear the stories behind these treasures from your expert guide as the Vatican secrets are slowly unveiled to you.
While you don't need to wait in the normal line, a shorter security line is still required for entrance. Short delays at the security check may occur during the busiest months of June and July.
Experience Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel likely rivals the Colosseum as the focal point of this Rome in a day private tour. Until you stand beneath the chapel's frescoes, there’s no way to fully appreciate Michelangelo’s astonishing accomplishment.
The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so speaking inside is prohibited. Your guide will explain the significance of Michelangelo’s artwork before entering.
Please note that to enter the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to this portion of your Vatican tour. We understand the summers in Rome are hot, so a great idea is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica is a monumental, ornate church filled with works by some of the most celebrated artists in history. Your guide will take you past the re-entry lines so you can quickly enter this monumental church that attracts millions of visitors each year. Once inside, admire the Baldacchino, La Pieta, the statue of St. Peter and much more. St. Peter's holds the rank of Major Basilica. Only four exist in the world and all four are located in Rome!
Since the Vatican is closed on Sundays, if you need to do the Shore Excursion on this day, we will contact you for a substitute site.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
16 total reviews
Leave a reviewGreat day in Roma
Steve Hess
Our cruise line didn’t have pre planned excursions for our port day outside of Rome. Our group chose the full day which was long but accomplished the goal. Our driver picked us up at8 am and we met our guide (Fabrezio?) at the Vatican museum. She is extremely knowledgeable and engaging. As a historian there is almost nothing she can’t answer. Since the sights are so busy we would have like to use the quiet vox hearing pieces (like at St Peters) for the day and that would be something to consider for the future. The driving to and from the port is a little crazy with the Roman traffic .
Outstanding driver and exceptional guide
Charlotte Carpenter
Our day in Rome exceeded all our expectations! The driver met us at the cruise ship and took us all around Rome. The guide was very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English . Highly recommend the trip!!
Karen Atkins
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
At your cruise ship in Civitavecchia, just let us know the timings and your driver will be there!
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen in the summer months, and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since many sites on this tour can only be explored on foot and there will be some uneven terrain, please also wear comfortable shoes. Please be prepared to cover your knees and shoulders in places of worship such as the Sistine Chapel.
What if I don't see availability on the day I want to go?
Just reach out to us and we'll try our best to accommodate your scheduling needs.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
No, lunch is not included but we will carve out time for you to grab a bowl of carbonara!
How many people can I bring?
If there are more than seven people in your group, please contact us prior to booking so we can make sure of getting the right transport and arrangements in place.
How do we arrange the timing of this shore excursion?
Please reach out to us upon booking to provide the exact time you'll disembark from your ship and we'll take care of the details. ***Since the Vatican is closed on Sundays, if you need to do the Shore Excursion on this day, we will contact you for a substitute site.
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen in the summer months, and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since many sites on this tour can only be explored on foot and there will be some uneven terrain, please also wear comfortable shoes. Please be prepared to cover your knees and shoulders in places of worship such as the Sistine Chapel.
Where to meet?
At your cruise ship in Civitavecchia, just let us know the timings and your driver will be there!
Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?
We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you might be refused entry to religious sites and miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This private tour is your best bet if you have concerns about navigating the areas on this tour. Our private tours offer more flexibility in terms of pace and special accommodations.
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