Cruises To & From Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Rome is famous for its coffee culture, whether you opt for espresso and or a frothy cappuccino. To drink like a local, only order a cappuccino before 11 am. Later in the day, order a un caffè (a shot of espresso) or un caffè macchiato (a shot of espresso with a dollop of steamed milk). If you’re in port in the early evening don’t miss out on enjoying aperitivi, drinks and snacks as Italians prepare for the evening ahead. Most bars offer an array of snacks during this time that are included in the cost of your drink. For a traditional Italian aperitif, order an Aperol Spritz or a sweet Fragolino sparkling wine. 

Cuisine around Italy differs depending on the region you’re in. If you want to try traditional Roman dishes, try bucatini all’amatriciana or spaghetti alla carbonara. Roman cuisine is often simple, but delicious, using just a few ingredients that are fresh and prepared using traditional methods. Gelato is everywhere, and it’s not hard to find a scoop no matter what neighborhood you’re exploring. To experience a traditional gelateria, visit Giolitti, a family-run gelato shop that is located a short distance from the Pantheon. This gelato shop is over 120 years old and offers dozens of flavors.

The appeal of Rome never wanes. The city entices people with its beauty and culture, but mostly for the history you can find around every corner. Cruises from Rome will give you the opportunity to absorb the wonderful architecture and culture, and the special vibe of this iconic place.

Rome is Italy’s capital, but the land on which the city lies has served many other purposes over the past 2,700 years. Settlers were here as far back as the Ice Age, followed by Etruscans and later, the Romans, who presided over an era in which many of the incredible structures were built that are still marveled at today. Eventually, the Roman Empire fell and the papacy of the Catholic Church moved to Avignon. Rome sat mostly in squalor for several centuries before the papacy returned to Rome and the dawn of the Renaissance was on the horizon. Rome then became famous for the arts and the works of Michelangelo and Raphael, among many others.

If you find yourself back in Civitavecchia after your time in Rome and need some more souvenirs, you’re in luck. There is plenty of shopping located near the cruise port. Just cross Via Garibaldi, which runs parallel to the sea promenade, and you’ll find several shops to browse. 

Head a little bit further into town and you’ll come to Corso Centocelle, which has even more stores and is a pleasant area to shop since it is a pedestrian-only zone. If you have even more time to spare and don’t mind a longer walk or short taxi drive, you can find over two dozen specialty shops at La Scaglia, a shopping center located about a 25-minute walk from the port.

You have plenty of options. Rome’s metro system is reliable and easy to use since it only has three lines that intersect at Rome’s main rail terminal: Termini. You can get single journey tickets or day passes. More than 300 bus routes will get you close to most of the attractions, but you may still have to walk, particularly near the historic center as buses don’t travel down its narrow streets. 

Official taxis in Rome are yellow and have a taxi sign atop the roof. Note that taxis often charge extra for baggage and rates may increase on holidays, Sundays, and late at night. If you call for a taxi, the fare may begin from the telephone request, not from the point of origin, so double check before reserving. Rome has two international airports: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, also referred to as Fiumicino, located 18 miles southwest of Rome; and Ciampino International Airport, located nine miles southeast of Rome. 

Italy’s currency is the Euro. For cruises from Rome, travelers should have a supply of cash. Most places in Rome take credit cards, though cash may be preferred in markets or small, mom-and-pop style restaurants. It’s especially important to double-check if a card is accepted if you’re not planning on paying with cash. 

To exchange cash for Euros, look for cash exchange offices or simply use the many ATMs around the city, although you may incur bank charges for exchanging cash in these. An ATM is called a bancomat in Rome. 

Tipping in Italy often isn’t necessary. A service charge is usually already included in the bill, so double-check if that’s the case; feel free to tip more for stellar service, though know it’s not expected. It’s also recommended to tip in cash as opposed to on a credit card if you want to make sure it’s the server who gets the tip.