OVERVIEW: The highlight is a guided tour of the world famous Vatican Museums.
Marvel at Michelangelo's frescos in the Sistine Chapel and discover the masterpieces housed in St. Peter's Basilica. Step back in time as you enter the Colosseum, where gladiators once clashed. Lunch is included at a local hotel or restaurant. Maximize your time by avoiding ticket lines when entering the Vatican Museums and Colosseum. Guests must be able to walk approx. 3 miles & 250 steps and this tour is not suggested for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. A strict dress code is enforced at St. Peter's Basilica and short pants, tank tops and revealing clothing are not acceptable.
Overview:
The highlight of this tour is a guided visit of the world famous Vatican Museums, where an exceptional collection of artwork from every era is on display. Then step back in time as you enter inside the Colosseum, the emblem of Rome’s eternity, where gladiators clashed in mortal combats. And you’ll enjoy faster access by avoiding ticket lines when entering the Vatican Museums and the world famous Colosseum.
Highlights:
-Vatican Museums: Visit the world famous museums where an exceptional collection of artwork is on display, including Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel
-St. Peter’s Basilica: Discover the largest basilica in the world and its masterpieces
-Colosseum: Step inside the symbol of Rome, where gladiators clashed in mortal combat
-Lunch: Enjoy a three course meal at a local restaurant or hotel
Full Description:
Begin your tour with a leisurely 90-minute drive from the pier in Civitavecchia to Rome. You will meet your guide upon arrival at the world famous Vatican Museums, where an exceptional collection of artwork from every era is on display. Over one thousand rooms and galleries contain thousands of amazing treasures collected by the Popes throughout the centuries. You will have time to see a portion of the many beautiful pieces of work.
Your tour continues with a visit to the Sistine Chapel, highlighted by Michelangelo's masterpieces and impressive frescos, including the "Last Judgment."
After your tour of the Sistine Chapel, you will visit St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world. Among the many fine pieces of art and mosaics on display are Michelangelo's "Pieta" and the beautifully carved Bernini Pulpit.
Enjoy lunch and a flute of Italian spumante and wine at a first-class restaurant or hotel. After lunch, you will drive through Rome and visit the historic Colosseum, acknowledged as one of the world's most celebrated buildings. You will then rejoin the coach and return to Civitavecchia.
During the bus ride to Rome, you will be provided emergency contact numbers in the unlikely event you become separated from the group, as well as the headsets that you will use to listen to the guide’s commentary. During the excursion you will also receive bottled water.
What to Bring:
-You should always take your SeaPass card (provided onboard the ship) and photo identification when in port.
-Camera and cash for shopping.
What to Wear:
-Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
-A strict dress code is enforced in the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Short pants, tank tops and revealing clothing are not acceptable. Guests wearing these items may be restricted from entering.
Important Notes:
-The drive between Civitavecchia and Rome is approximately 1 1/2 hours each way, subject to traffic conditions.
-Guests must be able to walk approximately 3 miles over even and cobblestone surfaces with approximately 250 steps and endure extended periods of standing.
-This tour is not suggested for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.
-Inside the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, there is an itinerary dedicated to guests in a wheelchair. Since this route is different than that of the other guests, guests in a wheelchair will be on their own and will miss a large portion of the guide’s commentary.
-Guests needing special assistance must be accompanied by an able bodied companion.
-Guests may be required to check large bags, backpacks, video cameras, and/or personal water bottles at designated check points.
-Flash photography is not permitted in the Vatican Museums. Video and photography are not permitted at any time in the Sistine Chapel.
-Should St. Peter's Basilica have a special event or mass service, guides will give an outside explanation only and guests will then enter on their own.
-Should a mass be taking place in St. Peter's Basilica, the entrance may be restricted.
-Should your guide determine that the queue at the St. Peter's Basilica security check point is longer than a 45-minute wait, they will forego the interior visit of the basilica and provide you with a full explanation and description while outside.
-Depending upon the number of people in the basilica, it may be closed for security reasons. These safety precautions are beyond the control of the local tour operator. You will be provided more time during your shopping or free period to compensate for not entering the basilica.
-Please be aware that ongoing restoration/ maintenance work is often being carried out at the various venues visited.
- Please note that for the inside visit of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica the use of headsets owned and provided by the respective site's managements is compulsory.
-The order of the tour may be reversed or altered depending on traffic or local conditions.
-Due to the closure of the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel)on Sundays, its program will be replaced by a visit of the Roman Catacombs.
Affected sailings as follows:
- Serenade of the Seas – Sailing date 07/18/2013
- Serenade of the Seas – Sailing date 08/11/2013
- Liberty of the Seas – Sailing date 08/11/2013
- Serenade of the Seas – Sailing date 10/10/2013
- Legend of the Seas – Sailing date 10/21/2013
-On Sundays and public holidays, the majority of the shops will be closed and only souvenir shops will be open.
Affected sailings as follows:
- Serenade of the Seas – Sailing date 07/18/2013
-Serenade of the Seas – Sailing date 08/11/2013
-Liberty of the Seas – Sailing date 08/11/2013
-Serenade of the Seas – Sailing date 10/10/2013
-Legend of the Seas – Sailing date 10/21/2013-This tour will be offered without an inside stop to the Colosseum for the Navigator of the Seas - Sailing date 04/06/2013 for guests sailing on Back-to-Back sailings only.
