Rome is the Mediterranean’s great embarkation city, and the one most cruise passengers try to squeeze into too few hours. Ships dock at Civitavecchia, an hour or more away by train, so a port day here is a day trip. Pick one area and do it properly. With a night or three either side of a sailing, the city opens up: the Vatican first thing, a long lunch near the Pantheon, aperitivo in Trastevere. Most of what a visitor needs sits within the historic centre and is best covered on foot.
Practical
How long to go for: Three nights before or after a cruise. A port day covers one area well.
When to go: April, May, June, September, October
How to get there: Fly into Rome Fiumicino (FCO). The Leonardo Express train runs to Termini. Cruise ships dock at Civitavecchia, about 80km north-west.
How to get around: On foot in the historic centre. Metro line A for the Vatican and the Spanish Steps, line B for the Colosseum. Taxis from official ranks.
Arriving by ship
Ships dock at Civitavecchia. Civitavecchia station is a short shuttle or a 10 to 15 minute walk from the port gate, and regional trains take roughly 60 to 80 minutes to Roma San Pietro, beside the Vatican. Our port-day distances start there. Leave a generous margin for the train back: the ship will not wait.