Top Rome Shore Excursions

There are plenty of high-quality Rome shore excursions to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews given by previous customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• WOW Tour: Coliseum, Vatican, Squares, Luxury Car, Tickets, Lunch
• Rome Small-Group Shared Tour from Civitavecchia: 8 People Max
• Rome Private Tour: Private Guide & Entrance All Included
• VIP Tour of Rome (3/5/8hrs) Colosseum & Vatican Museums
• Private Full-Day Tour of Rome from Civitavecchia

Prices for Rome shore excursions vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you're looking for tours on the lower end of the price range, these are the best options to book now: 

• Rome from Civitavecchia Transfer with Optional Open Bus
• Transfer from Civitavecchia by Train with Rome Hop-On, Hop-Off Option
• Top of Rome Experience: Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia
• Comprehensive Rome Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia Cruise Port
• Deluxe Rome Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia - 2 Tour Options

Yes, Rome shore excursions are worth it. No cruise around Italy is complete without visiting the Eternal City, even if you only have one day. Pre-booked excursions can whisk you into the city faster than you can figure out how to take public transportation there. You’ll be guaranteed a comfortable seat in a coach or private vehicle, and your guide will ensure that you see the top sights, have fun along the way, and make it back to the ship in time for embarkation.

Per one customer who booked the WOW Tour: Coliseum, Vatican, Squares, Luxury Car, Tickets, Lunch, “We had a wonderful tour with our guide Eddy, and our driver Andrew (Alex). Eddy had such a great personality and such knowledge of ancient Rome. We will have fond memories of him and could not have asked for a better guide! Andrew met us at the port, professionally dressed, and drove us quickly and safely to and from the cruise port in a very nice vehicle. Highly recommend this company for your tour of Rome!”

Before booking a Rome shore excursion, consider whether you want a port transfer into the city or a guided experience. Guided experiences usually cover more sites; however, you may not spend much time at each one, and there’s little freedom and flexibility. Also, if the Vatican is on the itinerary, be aware that the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month). And while your excursion may include lunch, the restaurant is usually at the guide’s discretion, and the cost of food and drinks is typically not included in the price. If you have a certain restaurant you want to eat at, research private tours and ask the guide if it’s possible to go there before booking.

To fully enjoy Rome shore excursions, get a great night’s sleep the night before and start your day early. Bring a power bank if you’re worried about running out of cell phone battery, and pack anything you think you’ll need until evening, as you’ll probably be out all day. If your excursion’s itinerary includes visits to churches and other religious sites with strict dress codes, then dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Finally, tours typically have a tight itinerary, so try to stick to the schedule; remember, the goal is to see Rome and get you back to port in time—cruise ships don’t wait for anyone (except the captain).