Port Guides
Rome, Italy (Civitavecchia)
Civitavecchia is home to the port of Rome. The Port of Civitavecchia sits about 60 miles northwest of the Eternal City along the Tyrrhenian Sea, serving as the primary embarkation and debarkation point for Mediterranean cruises from the Italian capital. For most international visitors, arriving at this port means one thing: Rome is waiting.
Whether you're spending 2 days in Rome before your sailing, a full week exploring the Italian capital, or simply taking a day trip from the port itself, this is one of the most extraordinary combinations available to any traveler. The cruise lines know this — Mediterranean itineraries from Civitavecchia fill quickly precisely because the lure of Rome is so powerful.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Port of Civitavecchia
00053
Civitavecchia RM, Italy
NEAREST AIRPORT
FCO - Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino - 40 miles, 1 hour to 1h 30m
AVERAGE TEMPS
Temperate year round, winter lows in 50s and summer highs in 90s
Getting to Rome
The departure port for Rome is Civitavecchia. This coastal city is located outside of central Rome and transfers – be they cruise line transfers, private or shuttles – are an essential component for beginning or ending your trip here.
Rome's Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is the primary international gateway, located about 40 miles from Civitavecchia and about 20 miles from central Rome. Most international visitors fly into Fiumicino, spend time in Rome, and then travel to the port on embarkation day. Direct trains run from Roma Termini (Rome's main station) to Civitavecchia in about 1 hour and 15 minutes — an easy, comfortable, and affordable option for those staying in central Rome.
Pre-arranged private transfers and taxis also connect Rome directly to the port for those with significant luggage. If you are arriving in Rome on the morning of your embarkation and heading directly to the port, allow at least 3 hours of travel time from Fiumicino.
 
Staying Overnight
We always recommend arriving at least the day before your cruise. Doing so ensures you don't risk missing embarkation for your long-awaited vacation, and also gives you time to explore the world in a bit more depth. You have many options for accommodations in Rome.
Guest Recommendations
A selection of our guest's favorite hotels:
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Central Rome - Luxury:
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Hassler Roma
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Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
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The Westin Excelsior, Rome
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InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace
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NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali ​
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Central Rome - 4 Star:
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Hotel 47 Boutique
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River Palace Hotel
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Hotel Degli Artisti
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Palazzo Navona
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H10 Palazzo Galla
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Palazzo Velabro
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FCO Airport (Fiumicino)
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Hilton Rome Airport​
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Cardo Roma Airport
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Things to do in Rome
Two thousand years of history, the Vatican, and the Mediterranean Sea — sailing from Rome is the beginning of a journey worthy of the name.
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The Vatican Museums & St. Peter's Basilica
The Vatican Museums are among the most visited and most extraordinary museum complexes in the world. The Sistine Chapel ceiling, Raphael's Stanze, the Gallery of Maps, and the sculpture collections spanning millennia of human history are staggering in their scope and beauty. Book your skip-the-line tickets as early as possible — ideally months in advance for peak season visits. St. Peter's Basilica, free to enter, is one of the architectural achievements of the Renaissance.
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The Colosseum & Roman Forum
Walking through the Roman Colosseum and the adjacent Forum is one of the genuinely humbling travel experiences available on Earth. Two thousand years of history stand before you in tangible, physical form. Again, skip-the-line tickets are essential — and consider hiring a guide who can bring the ruins to life with context and storytelling that transforms stones into stories.
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Trastevere at Night
After a day of monuments and museums, there is no better Roman evening than dinner in Trastevere. This ancient neighborhood across the Tiber River comes alive at night with candlelit trattorias, narrow cobblestone lanes, piazzas filled with locals, and the kind of simple, perfect Italian food that reminds you why the whole world is obsessed with eating in Italy.
Danny's Insider Tips
Foodie Experience: Trastevere Food Tour
"Trastevere is one of the most enchanting neighborhoods in Rome — a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, and trattorias that have been feeding Romans for generations. A guided food tour here is one of my highest recommendations for any pre-cruise day in Rome. You’ll taste supplì (Rome’s beloved fried rice balls), fresh pasta, artisanal cheese, local wine, and the kind of food that is deeply, specifically Roman. Start the morning at Campo de’ Fiori for the market — the flower stalls, the produce vendors, the energy of a Roman morning — then make your way through the backstreets toward the river and into Trastevere. Around the corner from Campo de’ Fiori, don’t miss Amerina la Pizzetta for what I consider the best pizza in Rome."
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History & Culture: The Vatican, Colosseum & Roman Forum
"The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are unmissable — but the key is timing. I always recommend an early morning or evening tour to avoid the midday crowds and heat. The Sistine Chapel in near-silence, with Michelangelo’s ceiling above you, is one of the great experiences in the world. The Colosseum and Roman Forum together are a full day and deserve it. Standing on the floor of the Colosseum, or walking the Via Sacra through the Forum where Julius Caesar’s funeral pyre once burned, is genuinely moving. Book tickets for both in advance — queues without a ticket can be hours long."
Browse all Rome tours & experiences through our partner Project Expedition: Explore Rome Tours & Experiences
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Danny’s Pick: Osteria del Sostegno
"My absolute favorite restaurant in Rome. This tiny, boutique osteria is the kind of place that only exists in a city with centuries of culinary tradition behind it — a handful of tables, no pretension, and pasta that is quite simply extraordinary. The carbonara is the best I’ve had anywhere in the world. The chicken cacciatore is a masterpiece of Roman home cooking. Go hungry, order the pasta, and stay for a second glass of wine. This is the Rome I love most, and I send every client here who asks me for a restaurant recommendation."
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Danny’s Pick: Campo de’ Fiori & Amerina la Pizzetta
"Campo de’ Fiori in the morning is one of those Roman scenes that never loses its magic — the flower market, the produce stalls, the locals doing their shopping before the tourists arrive. Have a coffee at one of the outdoor tables and just watch the city wake up. Then, around the corner, find Amerina la Pizzetta. It’s small, it’s unassuming, and it serves some of the finest pizza I’ve eaten in Italy. Roman-style, thin-crust, perfectly charred, with simple toppings done right. In a city full of great pizza, this is the one I keep coming back to."
ACCESSIBILITY
If you wish mobility or wheelchair assistance in the terminal, please notify your Harr Travel advisor or the cruise line.
JUMP TO
What to expect when embarking at
Rome
Arrive with your travel documents ready: passport, cruise booking confirmation or barcode, and any health or other documentation your cruise line requires. Porters are available to take your checked luggage right at the curb, so you won't need to haul bags all the way to check-in. Give your porters a couple of dollars per bag as a tip — it's appreciated and a customary gesture.
 
You will go through port security after dropping off your bags, then check in with the cruise line in the terminal building. From there, you board and start your adventure!
Disembarking at Rome
Disembarkation in Civitavecchia follows the same general rhythm as most major cruise ports. You'll be assigned a disembarkation number or color, and you'll be called off the ship in waves. Self-assist disembarkation — where you carry all your own bags off — typically gets you off the ship earliest and is a great option if you have an early flight out of one of the region’s airports.
Pre-arranging transportation is highly recommended in this port, whether you are headed into Rome for a post-cruise extension or straight to the airport for onward travel.
Cruise lines sailing from Rome
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NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian has extensive itineraries from Rome including Mediterranean and transatlantic voyages. Many of their itineraries are one-way between Rome and other cruise ports in Europe.
Ready to book your next voyage from
Rome?
You have many options for the perfect cruise vacation from beautiful and historic Rome. We can't wait to explore them with you!