ROME TOURS AND MSC SHORE EXCURSIONS

Roma tours, Fontana di Trevi | MSC Cruises
There are few places in the world where history is brought to life as vividly as it is in Rome. Among the temples and cobbled streets, visitors can spend their Rome holidays imagining themselves as ancient dignitaries, Renaissance artists or young European aristocrats embarking on their Grand Tour.

Start your journey in ancient times, from the first settlements on the Palatine Hill through the hustle and bustle of the Roman Forum to the gruesome battles in the Colosseum and the serene beauty of the Pantheon. Hop back aboard this city-sized time machine to discover the wonders of Vatican City, from the heights of St Peter’s Basilica to a cultural journey through the Vatican Museums.

EXCURSIONS IN ROME

Making a checklist of things to do in Rome can seem like an impossible task. Whether you’ve always dreamed of re-enacting a battle in the ancient arena, tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain or sitting down to dinner in a classic taverna, there are simply too many Rome attractions to choose from.

Our Rome tours help guide you from the ruins of the Roman Forum to the Baroque elegance of the Vatican, through a city which led an empire, birthed a religion and inspired generations of artists.
Roma tours, Pantheon | MSC Cruises
Roma tours, Piazza Navona | MSC Cruises
Roma tours, Foro Romano | MSC Cruises

Live like an ancient Roman in the Colosseum

Two millennia ago, the historical centre of Rome was the beating heart of an empire that extended from the British Isles to the Gulf of Persia.

 

The riches it generated were used to fund lavish games at the Colosseum amphitheatre, worship the gods in the Pantheon and build the infrastructure of city life and imperial leisure in the Roman Forum and the Baths of Caracalla.

 

Centuries later, the wealth of the Popes drove other grand building projects, such as Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican itself.

Roma tours, Basilica di San Pietro | MSC Cruises
Roma tours, Piazza San Pietro | MSC Cruises
Roma tours, Basilica di San Pietro | MSC Cruises

Experience the divine in St Peter’s Basilica

The smallest country in the world holds many wonders on its tiny territory. Thousands of visitors flock here every day to take in a papal audience among the perfectly proportioned colonnades of St Peter’s Square or explore the many wonders of the church beyond.

 

St Peter’s Basilica is a magnificent affair, from Michelangelo’s record-breaking dome to Bernini’s huge bronze canopy. Dive below ground to visit the Saint Peter’s tomb and the Renaissance crypts or climb to the very top of the basilica and soak up the panoramic view.

Roma tours, Musei Vaticani | MSC Cruises
Roma tours, Cappella Sistina | MSC Cruises
Roma tours, Musei Vaticani | MSC Cruises

Bathe in art in the Vatican Museums

You could spend days getting lost in the Vatican Museums, a distillation of centuries of Roman history and culture.

 

In 1503, Popes began amassing this vast treasure trove of everything from exquisite Etruscan finds to Classical statues, Egyptian mummies, luxuriously adorned suites and a vast collection of pictorial masterpieces spanning from the Byzantine era to the 18th century. It’s a good idea to plot your route in advance, but don’t miss the stupendous Sistine Chapel, home to some of the world’s most famous artworks.

BOOK YOUR CRUISE TO ROME VIA CIVITAVECCHIA

Since Romulus laid the first stone on the Palatine in 753 BC, the Eternal City’s famed seven hills have born witness to various milestones of Western civilization, from the rise of the Roman empire to the spread of Christianity. At the heart of the Mediterranean, it’s the perfect stepping-off point for a trip through Classical antiquity, taking in the ancient ruins in Mykonos and Ephesus.

 

Book your Rome cruise to Civitavecchia cruise port and discover the heritage of this storied sea.

Roma tours, Roma | MSC Cruises
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Why choose MSC Shore Excursions to rome via civitavecchia

Plan the ultimate day out in the Eternal City through our Rome excursions. Let expert guides lead you through three millennia of history on one of our Rome tours, from the chariot races to the papal Angelus.

ROME TOURS AND EXCURSIONS FAQ

In which language are Rome excursions conducted?

Our MSC shore excursions can be conducted in five different languages: English, Italian, Spanish, German and French. Please be advised that the final language of the excursions will be announced during your cruise.

Are Rome tours always available to be booked?

Our Rome excursions are popular, which means that they may not always be available. Because of this, we suggest that passengers book a Rome tour in advance of their cruise to ensure availability.

Can the Rome excursion programme be changed?

The programme for our Rome excursions is only an overview of available tours, and the final itinerary and descriptions of all tours (and prices) will be confirmed onboard your cruise.

 

Please also note that the MSC shore excursions schedule may vary. This is because of potential changes in local conditions and unforeseen events, which may affect tour timings. The excursions programme is also subject to change in order to comply with local regulations, laws and other restrictions.

Does MSC offer a walking tour of Rome?

MSC Cruises offers a number of mixed coach and walking excursions of Rome. Two of the most extensive are the ‘Rome, Baroque Tour’ and ‘Gran Tour of Rome, The Eternal City’. Both excursions include coach transfers between Rome and the cruise terminal in Civitavecchia.

The ‘Rome, Baroque Tour’ includes a 90-minute guided walking tour of the city, taking in famous sights such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. After lunch, guests have approximately one hour of free time to explore the San Pietro area and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

The ‘Gran Tour of Rome’ also includes a walking tour of similar areas, as well as a visit inside the world-famous Colosseum. Both tours last around nine hours in total.

Alternatively, the ‘Rome on Your Own’ excursion allows guests approximately six hours to explore the city by themselves, after receiving navigational instructions and a map highlighting the main sights and attractions

Does MSC offer a bike tour of Rome?

MSC Cruises offers two bike-based excursions around Rome, one on a traditional bicycle and the other on an e-bike. ‘The Eternal City by Pedal Power’ involves a six-hour guided cycling tour of Rome, starting at Circus Maximus. The tour will take visitors past key sights (including Castel Sant’Angelo, the Roman Forum, Villa Borghese and the Colosseum) and also includes a stop at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City before cycling back for the return coach journey to Civitavecchia.

 

‘The Eternal City by E-Bike’ excursion takes guests around the same streets and sights, but with the added comfort of an electric-assisted bicycle.

What is involved in the Vatican tour?

MSC Cruises offers two excursions in Rome that focus on Vatican City: ‘Rome and the Wonders of the Vatican Museum’ and ‘Rome, St. Peter’s Square and the Papal Angelus’.

The ‘Rome and the Wonders of the Vatican Museum’ excursion includes a guided coach tour of various Rome highlights, including the Aurelian Walls and the Colosseum. This is followed by a visit to Vatican City for a guided tour of the Vatican Museums (avoiding the queues) and a visit inside the Sistine Chapel. There’s also some free time for lunch, before a guided tour of St. Peter’s Square, concluding with a transfer back to the cruise port in Civitavecchia.

The ‘Rome, St. Peter’s Square and the Papal Angelus’ excursion runs on Sundays and involves attending the Pope’s Sunday Angelus on St. Peter’s Square. Guests will also have approximately two hours to explore Vatican City. The tour ends with a walk along the Tiber river on the way to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, before a coach ride back to the cruise terminal.