Cruise Port Civitavecchia (Rome): Everything You Need to Know
- Esther
- Nov 16
- 5 min read
For all cruise lovers who start their journey in Rome, it’s important to know that the actual cruise terminal is in Civitavecchia, about 80 km (50 miles) from the city. Many travelers get confused on embarkation day—or when the ship docks for a day visit—about how to get to the terminal or how to reach Rome from there.
In this blog I will explain to you all about Civitavecchia Cruise Port
Civitavecchia is located about 70–80 km (43–50 miles) from Rome. By car or bus, the journey typically takes 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic.
At the start of the port area, there is a train station with direct trains to Rome. The trip usually takes 45–70 minutes, making it a convenient option for travelers who want to explore the city during a day visit.
Civitavecchia is a large port, capable of accommodating up to 12 cruise ships on two different sides of the harbor. In addition to cruise ships, the port also serves many ferries that depart throughout the day.
Embarking a ship at Cruise Terminal in Civitavecchia (Rome)
Ship embarkation usually starts around noon. If you’re flying in from elsewhere in Europe, it can be tight to arrive the same day and make it to the cruise port on time. For travelers flying from outside Europe, it’s necessary to stay overnight—either in Rome or Civitavecchia.
If you’ve never visited Rome before, I recommend spending the night in the city. There’s so much to see, from historic sights to delicious restaurants, that it’s well worth the extra time. One of the best places is Hotel Parco dei Principe Grand Hotel & Spa, the location is amazing just outside Villa Borghese a lovely park to visit and walking distance about 20 minutes from the Spanish Steps.
Some travelers prefer to stay in Civitavecchia, where there are several mid-range hotels (3–4 stars). However, keep in mind that the town itself is fairly quiet and doesn’t offer much in terms of sightseeing or activities.
I would not recommend taking the train to Civitavecchia when you’re embarking a cruise. The port is quite large, and ships can dock on either side of the harbor, which means a long walk with suitcases. A better option is to take a taxi or a private black-lane service from your hotel—they can drop you right at the ship, making the process much easier and stress-free.
The experience of embarking a ship in Civitavecchia can vary quite a bit. Some cruise terminals are modern and comfortable, while others still use temporary tents for check-in, which can get uncomfortably hot on warm days. The exact side of the port where your ship docks can also vary depending on the cruise line and schedule, so it’s not always the same for every sailing.
When docking in Civitavecchia (Rome) for the day, during your cruise
Almost all Western Mediterranean cruises include a day stop in Civitavecchia, allowing guests to visit Rome. There are plenty of options: you can join tours organized by the cruise line, explore on your own, or arrange a private tour or transportation.
Because the ship’s docking location can vary, the walking distance to the train station may differ for each sailing. Train tickets cost approximately €15 for a round trip and trains run roughly every 30 minutes.
Cruise lines usually offer a wide range of tours, from simple transfers to Rome to full-day excursions that let you see the highlights of the city in a few hours. Keep in mind: Rome is too big to see everything in one day, so the sights you shouldn’t miss are the Vatican and the Colosseum.
Some guests prefer to organize their own private tour, with a driver picking them up at the ship, showing them around the city, and bringing them back to the port at the end of the day. This can work well, but be cautious: traffic delays or miscalculating commuting time could make it stressful to get back to the ship. On the other hand, the ship always waits for passengers on tours organized by the cruise line, so that option is safer if you want peace of mind.
Arriving by car in the Cruise Port
It’s possible to arrive at the Civitavecchia cruise port by car. There are two large car parks where you can leave your vehicle while you’re on your cruise, but reservations in advance are required.
The car parks are located a bit far from the ship, so the port operates a shuttle service to transport passengers between the parking areas and the terminals. However, there is no fixed schedule for these shuttles, so you may have to wait in the sun with your luggage, which can be particularly uncomfortable during the hot summer months.
My experience
I’ve cruised many times and have visited Civitavecchia both for day trips and as a starting point for a cruise. On one trip, we arrived by car and had booked a spot at the nearest car park to the port.
When we arrived, we didn’t know on which side of the port our ship would be docked. It turned out to be on the completely opposite side. The staff at the car park advised us to wait for the shuttle, which ran irregularly. We ended up waiting quite a while in the sun with all our luggage, without any proper shelter—it felt like we were in the middle of the road.
Eventually, the shuttle dropped us near the ship, and embarkation for our cruise on the NCL Escape took place in a tent, which was hot and crowded. Luckily, we were Haven guests, which made the process much quicker and smoother, but it wasn’t the most comfortable embarkation experience I’ve had.
If you’ve visited Rome before, a short stop from Civitavecchia might not be enough to see the city in depth. Many experienced cruisers, including myself, sometimes choose to stay on the ship or enjoy a leisurely walk around Civitavecchia instead.
My advise
If your ship docks at Civitavecchia for the day and you’ve never seen Rome before, I recommend joining a tour organized by the cruise line. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s safe, stress-free, and allows you to relax while someone else handles the logistics. Focus on the sights you really want to see, because one day is simply not enough to see everything.
If you’re an experienced planner and familiar with Rome, you can book a transfer from the ship and in the city you plan your own day. In that case, I suggest booking tickets in advance for popular attractions, such as St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. It costs a bit more, but you can skip the lines and see the highlights quickly—St. Peter’s is truly impressive and worth the extra effort.
I hope my blog valuable to you and incase you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Want to read more? Check out: Cruising from Venice? All you need to know about Fusina Cruise Port.
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