Perhaps best known for the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, Rome sits just south of bustling Civitavecchia Port, which offers transport into the Mediterranean Sea and beyond.
Is it safe to travel in Italy during the coronavirus threat?
Most cruise companies, including Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, have set restrictions on anyone who’s been in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau within two weeks — the virus’s incubation period — of the scheduled cruise date.
Some itineraries have also been altered or ports of call canceled altogether. Use caution and take steps to safeguard yourself if you choose to travel to areas where the coronavirus is prevalent.
Whether you’ve got a hankering for countries in the Mediterranean or just want to explore Europe’s coast, cruises from Rome tend to be sun-drenched and rich in history. The best way to find the perfect cruise from Rome is to pinpoint where you’d like to go.
Best for cruises from Rome to Greece: Celebrity
Along with an itinerary that focuses solely on the islands of Greece, Celebrity Cruises also offers routes that stop at Israel, Croatia and Montenegro along the way. Celebrity Cruises emphasizes in-depth cultural experiences, both on board and off, with shore excursions including a visit to Minoan ruins (Santorini), a guided tour of the Acropolis (Athens), and a journey to the birthplace of Apollo (Mykonos).
If you're looking for authentic Côte d'Azur touches and European-style service, opt for Costa Cruises. This Italian cruise company was founded in 1854, mainly to transport olive oils and textiles.
Its Mediterranean cruises can take you to cities like La Spezia, Savona, Marseille and Barcelona. If you've got more days to spare, you could visit the Middle East — Salalah in Oman, Doha in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Whether you want to disembark in Barcelona or simply explore the city for a day docked at the port, Oceania is known for its luxury service and gourmet onboard dining. Take culinary and dance lessons while sailing through bright blue seas, or relax in a spacious cabin — Oceania has the largest veranda staterooms at sea. Explore glamorous places like Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez and Ibiza along the way.
Founded in Naples, Italy, MSC Cruises offers 100+ options for cheap cruises from Italy around the Mediterranean. The price is right without any compromises on quality — MSC ships are known for being clean and have won sustainability awards for ships that use less fuel. On board, you'll find sophisticated dining, a Balinese spa and live theater to keep you entertained.
Best for cruises from Rome to Dubrovnik: Norwegian
Croatia sits perched on the banks of the Adriatic sea, and the southern town of Dubrovnik is known for its old town neighborhood, surrounded by tall stone walls. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will swing you around the southern tip of Italy and up to Grecian ports like Santorini and Mykonos before dropping anchor at Dubrovnik. These trips are great for couples and families looking to set foot in the city that Lord Byron dubbed 'the pearl of the Adriatic.'
Room service included
No free alcohol
Food included
No price matching
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
When choosing cruises for this list, we looked at the quality of routes available from each cruise line, prioritizing well-paced itineraries with port stops at key destinations around the region.
We also considered onboard dining and weighing the number, variety and overall quality of restaurants against passenger reviews. Finally, we weighed cabin amenities against each price point, looking for cruise lines that are known to deliver the highest value.
Additionally, we sought out customer reviews on travel websites and personal travel blogs, considering first-person experiences and each company’s overall reputation.
When is the best time to cruise from Rome?
The best times to cruise from Rome are from May to June and September to October, when the weather is beautiful and the crowds are manageable. Cruise fares during this shoulder season are decent — not super-discounted, but lowered from the wild spike of summer demand.
Peak season.
The busiest and most expensive season to cruise from Rome is from July to August, when families take summer vacations to the Mediterranean and cruise lines amp up prices. Tourists from around the world flock during these months, so popular tourist attractions will likely have long lines. Still, if it’s steamy weather you’re after, temperatures hover around 80 °F in the region, which might be right for folks who want to simply lie on the beach.
Off season.
You’ll likely find the lowest fares on cruises from Rome through January and February, along with cheaper flights and accommodations. But keep in mind that winter storms may make travel a little more unpredictable.
November and December also tend to have low prices on cruises from Rome, as long as you avoid the holidays.
Getting to the port for your cruise from Rome
Cruises from Rome actually depart from Civitavecchia Port, which is about 45-50 miles — depending on your route — northeast of central Rome. By taxi or train, it takes about 90 minutes to traverse.
If you’re flying into one of Rome’s two key airports — Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport or Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport — you can take a train to Rome’s city center, followed by another train ride to the Civitavecchia train station. From there, walk or take a bus to Largo della Place, the main entry of Civitavecchia Port. A free shuttle service can transport you from Largo della Place to your cruise terminal.
Bottom line
After filling up on spaghetti in Rome, take a cruise to further tantalize your taste buds and satiate your sightseeing appetite. But before you book your cruise from Rome, check to see if you can save money on your fare.
Frequently asked questions
Cruise lines that offer cruises from Rome include:
Exact fare will vary, depending on traffic and where in Rome you depart from. But in general, you can expect to pay about € 107,75 —about $120, excluding tip — for a taxi ride from Rome to Civitavecchia.
Yes! The following cruise lines typically offer cruises from Rome to the US — or,”transatlantic” in cruising lingo:
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday.
With babysitting and tot-friendly activities, these are the best cruise lines for toddlers that will have your little one smiling at sea from ear to ear.
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