Civitavecchia to Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica tour
- Door to door service. We collect you directly off the ship and drop off at all Rome city centre hotels
- Travel in luxury minivan, maximum 8 people per vehicle, with professional English speaking driver
- Skip the line entry to Vatican Museum & St.Peter’s Basilica
- Professional guide for Vatican & St.Peters (maximum 18 people per guide)
Enjoy an eye opening and informative tour of the Vatican, including the world famous Sistine Chapel, the amazing Vatican Museum and the awe inspiring St Peter's Basilica as part of your cruise transfer from the Port to your central Rome Hotel
This service is available on all dates (April to November) when Oceania, Royal Caribbean, Princess, NCL and Celebrity ships are starting or ending a cruise at Civitavecchia.
Spend a day immersing yourself in incredible works of art and architecture. Using small luxury vehicles, we give you a more personal experience, and with small groups we can allow more interaction with your tour guide and fellow travellers during your walking tour of the Vatican City.
The tour will actually take you into another country, back to a time when pre-unified Italy was a collection of Principalities and City-States. Vatican City, the smallest sovereign state in the world, where you will be taken on a guided tour of the world famous Sistine Chapel, Gallery of Candelabra, Gallery of Tapestries, Gallery of Maps, through the opulent Raphael's Rooms including the "School of Athens", Raphael's famous fresco in the Apostolic Chapel, and then onwards into delightful gardens, courtyards and squares. You will see work by Da Vinci, Titian, Veronese and Caravaggio.
For most visitors the highlight is the Sistine Chapel, consecrated in 1483 with decorated walls featuring the Life of Moses and the Life of Christ. But it is above all that, along the roof that most visitors cast their eyes. Here you can see Michelangelo's Ceiling depicting the story of Genesis. Most famous of all is the Creation of Adam, a stunning and emotive painting and a highlight of the artists work. Another highlight is his Last Judgement fresco on the Altar wall. You will be given plenty of time to absorb all this wondrous art before leaving this dramatic and awe inspiring room to be taken to St Peter's Basillica to expore this incredible High Renaissance church, built on the site of the burial place of the first Pope, St Peter the Apostle. Walk around this vast structure, stroll along the marble floor and pause at the tombs of Popes. Marvel at the sculptures of Bernini, including the "Cathedra Petri" and "Gloria" towers and admire Michelangelo's Pieta, the marble statue of the Virgin and Christ after crucifixion.
You will exit the Basillica through St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) where thousands regularly gather to hear and see the Pope throughout the year. This great open space is known the world over for Papal Masses held here and televised around the globe. Exiting Vatican City and returning to Italy, you will then be transferred over to your hotel after an amazing day of art and architecture.
Important note about cancellations - Due to the very limited availability of Vatican tickets this part of the tour is non refundable
Joining Procedure at Civitavecchia Cruise Terminal:
Pick up points from Civitavecchia click here
Nearly all cruises at Civitavecchia arrive between 05:00am and 06:00am with disembarkation starting around 07:00am. Your driver will meet you at the terminal building exit just below your ship from 07:30am holding an International Friends sign with your name. We plan to leave Civitavecchia by 08:00am. In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port, we will delay our departure time accordingly (applicable only to the listed ships we service). For all delayed ship arrivals we will aim to leave at the latest one hour after docking (earlier if possible).
Arrival at Rome city centre hotel
Drop off points in Rome click here
We cover the vast majority of hotels in Rome city centre. We also drop at Termini and Tiburtina Coach/Train station. During the booking process we have listed all hotels we drop at for you to select your hotel. If your hotel is not on the list please contact us at [email protected]
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How long will my journey take?
- 7:30 Vehicle departs from Civitavecchia
- 09:00 Arrive Vatican for 3 hour tour
- 12:00 Depart from Vatican
- 12:30 Arrive at Hotel
- 7:30 Vehicle departs from Civitavecchia
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My chosen hotel is not on your list of pick up or drop off points, can I take this service?
We collect from the vast majority of Rome city centre hotels and Fiumicino airport hotels. Occasionally we are unable to pick up or drop off at certain hotels because they are not in Rome city centre, Fiumicino airport or not easily accessible by coach. Please email us at [email protected]tionalfriends.co.uk and we will advise if we can collect/drop off at your hotel, or direct you to the closest pick up/drop off point.
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I would like to join this tour but you do not service the ship I am travelling on. What can I do?
Our transfers from the port are available to passengers on other ships not listed, when dates and arrival times coincide with the ships we do service. You will need to make your own way to the ship we are servicing on that date. Please note on your booking the ship you are arriving on, and we can then advise which ship you will need to make your way to. Please note you will need to arrive at our meeting point by 08:00am to meet your guide/driver. Our tours and transfers depart at 08:30am.You will need to take a taxi from your ship to our meeting point which should take no longer than 10 minutes. -
How far in advance should I book?
Our tour dates go on sale 12-18 months in advance. We always advise booking early to avoid disappointment as availability cannot always be guaranteed if booking is left until closer to the date of travel. We offer a free cancellation policy up to 42 days prior to travel.
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Should we tip our driver or guide?
Tips are entirely at the customer’s discretion and in no way expected. Should you feel inclined to tip, your driver or guide would be grateful, but you should not feel obliged. A 10% tip is considered customary.
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I have sightseeing included in my transfer – do I need to book entry?
We have various options available, some with entry included and some where entry is an ‘Optional Extra’. If the entry is included this will be made clear on the itinerary page. Where entry is an ‘Optional Extra’ this will also be made clear on the itinerary, and the entries will be available to book in the ‘Book this Tour’ box when selecting your date, number of passengers etc. If entry is included or you have added it as extra then you do not need to contact the attraction and book entry. You will not need separate entry tickets to the attraction, the guide will manage your entry on the day. If you know you want to visit an attraction we always advise you add the tickets on at time of booking your transfer (if entry is optional). We cannot guarantee entry for passengers to the attractions that have not pre-booked and paid.