The Intentional Travelers

Port Of Civitavecchia, Italy • A Guide To Visiting Rome

Cruise ships in the port of Civitavecchia

Visiting & Touring Rome From Civitavecchia

While Civitavecchia is a major Mediterranean departure cruise port it is also a port of call for many cruise ships with itineraries that include Rome. While the most convenient way to tour Rome is booking ships excursions, going off on your own can not only save you a lot of money. but can also leave you with more time to explore. The trains and metro will get you into Rome in a little over half the time of taking a cruise ship tour bus.

The best option after a cruise tour is the Civitavecchia Express train service. In 2024 booking has been included on the Italian train service Trenitalia (Web Link HERE) and service has been expanded to even more train times with reservations including a bus from the port to the Civitavecchia train station.

How To Book A Reservation With Trenitalia

Start by accessing the Trenitalia web site (above for English). Select the departure as Civitavecchia Porto and the destination as a Roma station. For express service you should select either Roma Ostiense, Roma S. Peitro or Roma Termini with Ostiense being the best central location. Next select the date you’re in Civitavecchia and choose a departure time. Tickets can be round trip or one way and have several classes. Currently there is a Family and Friends special at a discount for groups up to six people. Select a payment type and after you are issued a reservation you will need to check in (a formality you can do right away). Print and save on your phone and that’s it!

This train costs around €15 for a roundtrip ticket. The first train departs from Civitavecchia before 09.00 am with express service to Roma San Pietro, Roma Ostiense and Roma Termini arriving from 10.00 am on. The last return express train departs from Roma Ostiense at 4.30 pm and arrives in Civitavecchia around 5.20 pm and includes the return bus to the port.

There is also additional excellent train service connecting Civitavecchia to Rome. Trains run about twice an hour throughout the day. Trains from Civitavecchia travel into the Termini in Rome (the main train station) with stops at Tuscolana, Ostiense, Trastevere, and San Pietro. Many are double-deck regional commuters with room to set luggage if you’re going to spend some time in Rome. Fares are about €7 to €9 per person one way. There are a few faster InterCity trains between Civitavecchia and Roma Termini costing under €12 each but usually they do not stop at Tuscolana, Trastevere, or San Pietro.

If you feel like walking from the port shuttle bus stop the station in Civitavecchia is a pleasant walk of a dozen or so blocks (allow fifteen to twenty minutes). Exit the port and turn right at the first intersection. Follow the street to where it ends, turn right, walk down to the McDonalds and go left, cross the street and walk along the main waterfront street to the train station.

Train schedules that are easy to understand are posted in the station and tickets can be purchased at automated vending machines in the station. There is also a maned ticket window but it’s unlikely they will speak English. After purchasing tickets remember the ticket MUST be validated for use before boarding the train, punch the ticket in one of the little green and white machines around the platform area. There can be serious fines for being on a train and not having validating a ticket.

Civitavecchia To Rome Tours

Most tour buses into Rome, both “Rome On Your Own” or a guided tour will make the first stop at Saint Peters. If you are taking a train the recommendation is to get off at the San Pietro station (Saint Peters). From there you can visit Saint Peters, the Vatican Museum, switch onto the Rome Metro or head off to explore the city on your own. Check out our “Seeing Rome In Eight Hours” guide HERE.

On returning to Civitavecchia the entrance to the port is only a dozen or so block walk. (Exit the train station and go right.) When you get to the McDonalds turn right and go uphill following the street around to the left. A few blocks further along is the ports free shuttle bus area on your left. The free shuttle buses to each ship are clearly marked for your ship.

Taxis in Civitavecchia should be used with caution as they are notorious for being expensive. Make sure you understand the fare before heading out.

Todays Image • Old Wine

Tenerife is the largest and most populated island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is known for its volcanic landscapes, including Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain. This island is enjoying a growing reputation for producing some excellent and unique wines. Any visit should take advantage of sampling some local wines.

Alvaro Wine is one renowned Tenerife wine producer, known for its high-quality wines made from indigenous grape varieties. The volcanic soils and unique climate of the islands contribute to the distinctive character of Alvaro wines.

Alvaro utilizes a variety of indigenous grape varieties, including Listán Blanco, Listán Negro, and Malvasía, which are well-suited to the Canary Islands’ climate. These grapes produce wines with unique flavors and aromas that reflect the region’s volcanic origins.

Take a moment and explore more of The Intentional Travelers web site. Cruise ports of call, amazing destinations, helpful travel tips, interesting stories and much more. Search for what interests you by adding search terms here…

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Standing Watch Above The Rhine

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The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

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Exploring South America

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A Twisted Tale Of Buying Salmon In Alaska

Please Note: For Our Guide To Buying Alaska Salmon Click HERE

A Short Story

Recently (pre Covid) we were on an end of season cruise in Alaska that was to be followed by a cruise down the California coast. Near the end of the Alaska itinerary the cruise ship was liquidating all the smoked and canned salmon in their gift shop. Generally the cruise ports in Alaska sell the packaged salmon at pretty good prices and near the seasons end there are even some good sales, but the prices in the ship’s gift shop were incredible. The last Alaska port on the cruise was Skagway. We thought that because it was a town in America with a U.S. Post Office we could mail our salmon home.

Early in the day in Skagway we walked into town to the post office and picked up a number of USPS cartons. At the hardware store we also bought some packing tape and returned to our stateroom on the ship to box up our salmon for mailing. After boxing up five cartons worth we went to leave the ship to take the packages to the post office.

Only Government Could Think This Way

At the gangway with the ships security was a person stationed there by U.S. Customs (not an agent) with orders that nobody could leave the ship with large packages without them being inspected by a customs agent. Of course the customs office was closed for the day (about 11 am). The young man guarding the ship seemed a bit confused as to what his instructions meant. It seemed that when we sailed out of Skagway our next stop was going to be Vancouver, Canada which might have been the issue? Probably not though. Maybe people were smuggling forbidden items into America by cruising? Probably not though.

After some questioning it seemed that the postal packages were the problem so he allowed us to tear down all the cartons and leave just with the individual Alaskan caught and packaged salmon. Soon we were at the post office again with our salmon and the remaining packing tape, filling new USPS mailing cartons that we mailed home.

But Wait, There’s More.

As our ship sailed out of Skagway we realized that the gift shop had lowered the prices again on the last remaining salmon. We couldn’t resist, We bought more. Upon docking in Vancouver there were no customs forms and since we were cruising next down the west coast of the United States, we just kept the salmon in our stateroom.

The next day we docked in Seattle and there was a casual customs check but no forms or declarations to file. When asked about anything to declare we explained that we had some salmon we bought in Alaska and since it came from the U.S. there didn’t seem to be any concern. Three days later the ship stopped in San Francisco and again we left the ship with the salmon. Several blocks away from the pier we again mailed more salmon home at a post office.

Wouldn’t you think that U.S. Customs and Immigration would have more important things to do than protect a U.S. port from salmon caught and processed in a U.S. state having U.S. citizens go to a U.S. Post Office to mail it to their home in the United States? Maybe the original problem had to do with our ship being flagged in a foreign country? Could the U.S. salmon have been technically exported to the ship? That raises the question if you need to pay duty on U.S. products bought overseas and brought back into the U>S.? If we tried to mail the salmon home from Vancouver would we have been required to fill out postal customs forms? After more consideration we decided this was just government being government and trying to be official without much thinking..

Todays Image • A Window With A View

The Acropolis Museum

The view of the Acropolis from inside the Acropolis Museum. The museum is one of the most important museums in the world, houses the findings of only one archaeological site, the Athenian Acropolis and its surrounds. The masterpieces that form its collection offer a comprehensive overview of the one of the worlds most historical sites.

The Acropolis was built in the 5th century BC during the Golden Age of Athens. It is home to some of the most famous ancient Greek buildings, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

Todays Image • Another Sunset At Sea

I love being at sea, with the best time of day being sunset. While I should also say sunrise, I won’t, because you have to get out of bed to see a sunrise and oddly, sunsets often coincide with happy hour. Coincidence? I think not!

Next to being at sea and seeing sunsets, two of my other favorite things are hot tubs and enjoying a glass of wine.

OMG did she nail it!!

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Best Advice on Packing for a Cruise

Our Guide To Making A Cruise Packing List

It can be difficult to know exactly what to bring on a cruise, making packing a challenge, especially for first-timers. When you’re out in the middle of the ocean, you can’t just run to the convenance store to pick up an item you forgot.

Before you start planning your wardrobe you should visit your cruise company’s web site and find out what their dress code is.

To start you need to make a cruise packing list that takes into account the cruise line’s day and evening dress regulations, the activities you’ll be participating in both at sea and in port, the equipment you’ll need for getting there and making your cabin more comfortable, and the basics you’ll need for everyday life and emergencies.

We’ve compiled a list of the absolute must-haves for any cruise vacation. Get ready for everything on your next cruise by following our comprehensive packing suggestions.

Daytime clothing

When preparing for a cruise start with the fundamentals, like what you’ll want to wear each day.

During the daytime hours on all cruise lines, and especially on the larger ships, casual attire is customary. But casual daywear on a more affluent or luxury cruise ship will tend to be more upscale and sophisticated, so you may feel out of place in that funny tee.

In addition, what you bring should depend, in large part, on where you’re cruising and the expected weather. You’ll want to pack light beachwear for a cruise to the Caribbean, but probably hiking gear and heavy layers for Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Pack clothing that covers the shoulders and knees if you’re going to be visiting holy places in Europe, the Middle East or Asia.

You should always pack a pocket rain parka regardless of where you’re cruising, along with maybe packing a light jacket for that Caribbean cruise or a short-sleeve top for that Alaska trip, just in case the weather turns out to be unexpectedly rainy, hot, or cold.

Evening clothing

Carnival Cruise Line usually doesn’t require passengers to dress for dinner but may not allow shorts, cut-offs or tees in the Dining room. Several cruise lines do still require passengers to adhere to rigorous dress requirements for the dining room. For cruises on those ships, you’ll need to add a nice dress and sport jacket to that packing list.

Today you’ll often find recommended evening attire described as resort casual, elegant sheik or sophisticated formal with these phrases being specifically selected to allow for a range of individual interpretations. What you need to do is simply apply some common sense to your selection. While some cruise companies do allow jeans in the evening you should still dress them up with nice tops and stylish shoes.

Even if cocktail dresses, suits, ties, and jackets are required for the dining room, if you’d rather not dress up for dinner, you can still dine at the buffet, or head to one of the ships more casual venues. You still may discover that on formal nights, certain cruises will prohibit guests who are not appropriately attired from dining is some restaurants and shows.

Casual Cruise Fashion **From TheCraftsMart.com**

Shoes

Footwear can take up a lot of the space in your luggage so you need to limit them to necessary choices only. Pack tennis shoes for casual wear and going ashore, flip-flops for the pool and beach, and your nice shoes for the evening. If you have to ladies, bring just one pair of heels by coordinating them with selected outfits. For some people and cruises, hiking boots, water shoes, or sandals may be a necessity but still question how important are they? Look for shoes that can do double duty. Select tennis shoes or comfortable slip-ons that can be worn for travel as well as casual days on board or for walking tours. Ladies, an upscale pair of flats can be worn both throughout the day on board as well as with a sheik outfit at night.

Toiletries and medicine

Soap and shampoo are standard amenities on almost all cruise ships, and conditioner and body lotion should also be available but you may have to ask your cabin steward. Again is packing these items a necessity? If you’re concerned bringing your own toiletries is an option the safest option but getting them in travel sizes is recommended.

Sunscreen is an important item on a cruise and bug spray is essential for some itineraries – think mosquitos.

Odds n’ Ends

One item we always recommend is a small, packable, lightweight backpack for going ashore. Take ashore things like a light weight rain poncho, water and leave extra room for shopping discoveries.

We also recommend a small, motion activated night light and temporary hooks for the cabin. Also carry extra needed batteries, a charger, OTC meds and a pocket first aid kit.