Rome & NCL 9 Day Cruise on Epic
Itinerary:
Thursday - Flew out from JFK to FCO
Friday - Landed in FCO Rome 7 AM - Explore Rome - Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Villa Borghese Gardens
Saturday - Vatican City & Colosseum
Sunday - Rome - Porta Portese Market, Capuchin Crypts
Monday - Board the Cruise Ship
Tuesday - Day at Sea
Wednesday - Heraklion (Crete) Greece
Thursday - Santorini - Oia & Fira
Friday - Olympia Greece (home of the ancient Olympic Games)
Saturday - Malta
Sunday - Messina Sicily
Monday - Pompeii & Naples
Tuesday - Florence & Pisa
Wednesday - Disembark and Fly home
We booked a 9-day cruise with stops in Italy, Greece, and Malta, allowing extra time at the beginning of the trip to explore Rome. We flew into Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO) from JFK with ITA Airways. While the flight was uneventful and we arrived safely, the aircraft felt dated — with worn seats, visible dirt, and some minor damage. Though nothing went wrong, I’m not sure I’d recommend the airline based on comfort alone.
For transportation from the airport to our Airbnb in Rome, we considered several options — train, bus, or taxi — but ultimately decided to pre-book with Civitavecchia Cab Services. They handled all our transfers: from the airport to Rome, from the city to the cruise port, and then back to the airport after the cruise. With five people and luggage, it made the whole experience smooth and stress-free. I’d highly recommend them for anyone looking for reliable and hassle-free transportation in the area.
Day 1 in Rome
We landed in Rome early on a Friday morning and breezed right through customs — no wait at all, which was a great start to the trip! Our Airbnb was perfectly located just a short walk from the Spanish Steps. The apartment was incredibly spacious, with three bedrooms (two queens and two singles), two full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a comfortable living room. The building also had an elevator, which made getting our luggage upstairs much easier.
Our hosts were fantastic — super responsive, quick to answer any questions, and full of helpful local tips. Best of all, since the apartment was already clean and ready, they let us check in early, which we really appreciated after an overnight flight.
After a quick tour of the apartment and dropping off our bags, we headed out to start exploring — and to fight off the jet lag. First up was a short walk to the Spanish Steps, followed by a visit to the always-busy Trevi Fountain. One tip: if you’re visiting on a Monday or Friday, keep in mind that the fountain is usually “off” for cleaning — you can still see it, but the water won’t be flowing. For a great, crowd-free view, head to the second floor of the United Colors of Benetton store nearby. It offers an elevated perspective and a great photo opportunity without the crowds.
Pantheon
After that we went over to the Pantheon where we had pre-purchased our tickets allowing us to not have to wait in line. The Pantheon in Rome is an ancient Roman temple, now a church, known for its massive dome and oculus. Built around 126 AD, it is important as one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome and a masterpiece of engineering that has influenced architecture for centuries. This is not a stop that requires a lot of time but I do suggest visiting.
We headed back to the Airbnb for a short break — no naps allowed, as we were trying to power through the jet lag! After resting our feet for a bit, we set out again, this time walking up to the Gardens of Villa Borghese in search of the rowboats. At first, we ended up in the wrong part of the park and had to do a bit of backtracking, but eventually, we found the small lake and the boats.
Getting the hang of rowing was a bit of a challenge (there were a few unintentional circles), but once we figured it out, it turned into a fun little adventure. While I wouldn’t call it a must-do in Rome, it was a lighthearted way to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
After dinner, we finally called it a night — and sleep had never felt so good!
Jet lag hit hard, and I found myself wide awake in the middle of the night. Instead of fighting it, I decided to embrace the quiet and take a solo stroll through Rome.
I started at the Spanish Steps, where the city was still and peaceful, then wandered over to the Trevi Fountain. I expected it to be nearly empty at that hour—but to my surprise, it was alive in a completely different way. Small groups of friends were gathered, laughing and chatting, while soft music played in the background. It felt more like a secret gathering than a tourist stop.
Seeing Rome under the moonlight, without the daytime crowds, was unexpectedly magical. If you ever find yourself wide awake in the Eternal City, I highly recommend stepping outside—Rome has a different kind of beauty when the world is sleeping.
Day 2 in rome - vatican city & the col
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After disembarking from the ship, we opted to hire a taxi for the day—a great way to explore Malta at our own pace. Several packages were available based on how long you wanted to be out, and we chose the five-hour option. We ended up enjoying ourselves so much that we extended it by an extra hour!
Our driver was both friendly and knowledgeable, giving us insights into Maltese history, culture, and the many community celebrations that take place throughout the summer months. Along the way, he took us to a wide range of beautiful and fascinating sites around the island.
Here’s what we were able to see during our day in Malta:
- Gardjola Gardens in the Three Cities – with gorgeous harbor views
- Vittoriosa – charming streets and rich history
- Marsaxlokk – a colorful fishing village with waterfront markets
- Blue Grotto – including a scenic boat ride through the sea caves
- Dingli Cliffs – dramatic coastline and panoramic views
- Mosta Dome – and the WWII bomb shelter beneath it
- Mdina – the "Silent City," full of old-world charm and nearly car-free
- Rabat – where we explored St. Paul’s Catacombs
- Upper Barrakka Gardens – where we even got a view of a glamorous wedding below
It was a full and rewarding day, and the flexibility of having a private driver made it easy to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed.
