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How the train ruined the Cruise for thousands of Civitavecchia Cruisers

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Buon giorno and welcome to Stefano’s Rome Cabs, Rome’s leading company for private Transfers, Day Tours, and Shore Excursions from Civitavecchia, Livorno and Naples.

Italy has an extensive train system that can take travelers to many popular destinations in Italy from Rome. One of these destinations is Civitavecchia, the cruise port about 1.5 away from Rome.  

The commuter train is the most common means to travel between Rome’s Termini Station and Civitavecchia Train Station  (the 2 endpoints for this commuter train route).

Assuming it’s an easy and cheap train ride between Rome and Civitavecchia, many cruisers opt for what would seem to be a convenient, reliable and inexpensive mode of transportation between Rome and Civitavecchia.
It is true that it’s inexpensive at 5 Euros per person.

But easy, convenient AND reliable? 

Thousands of cruisers left stranded did NOT find it reliable.

CIVI Train scehdule
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How the train ruined the Cruise for thousands of Civitavecchia Cruisers

Recently an unfortunate TRAIN STRIKE  (trains and transportation strikes are common in Italy) left thousands of cruisers stranded either in Rome or in Civitavecchia unable to access the train they depended on for their transportation.  

Being stranded like this in a foreign country without a plan B to count on can be a frightening experience and one that can ruin your much anticipated cruise!
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CRUISERS  LEFT STRANDED IN ROME PRE CRUISE

Cruisers needing to travel to Civitavecchia Port to catch their ship were stranded in Rome scrambling for taxis or alternative options at costs they did not even imagine or prepare for!  

For families and friends traveling together with more luggage that could fit into a taxi car (most taxis in Rome are small fuel efficient cars, not large minivans suitable for parties of 3 or more with a lot of luggage) would require more than 1 taxi.  

Taking 2 taxis from Rome to the main gate of Civitavecchia Port (Rome taxis do not have access into the cruise port), it would easily cost 240 Euros or more!!  And a ccording to many travelers, Rome city Taxi drivers are not known for honesty and fair competitive prices for the type of services they provide.  

Hotels can arrange for last minute car service for their guests….but their prices are not economical or competitive and they can go up depending on demand (and availability for last minute car service is never guaranteed)

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CRUISERS STRANDED IN CIVITAVECCHIA POST CRUISE

Cruisers who were left stranded in Civitavecchia and needed to go to their Rome hotel post cruise or to the airport to catch a flight were left at the mercy of Civitavecchia Taxis available at the port.

Civitavecchia Taxis are generally large minivans suitable for cruisers, but they do not have a set rate. Starting rate for a transfer from Civitavecchia to Rome or Airport usually starts at 200 Euros (or more, depending on demand according to some cruisers).

On train strike days, it’s hard to find a Civitavecchia taxi available since those who disembark the earliest grab the available taxis and since it can take up to 3 hours for a taxi to return to Civitavecchia after dropping off clients in Rome or the Airport, it would be a long and unguaranteed wait. There are not that many Civitavecchia Taxis available.
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CRUISERS STRANDED IN CIVITAVECCHIA ON SHORE EXCURSIONS

Cruisers who docked in Civitavecchia on a shore excursion and planned a DIY visit to Rome by train, found themselves stuck in port for the day.  

For a large number of cruisers, a visit to Rome was their once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the Eternal City.

Arranging same day tours with tour companies in Rome is virtually impossible due to the complexity of arranging tours by car, and the distance from Rome (where most companies like us are basted) to Civitavecchia.

As such, a common train strike in Italy caused thousands of cruisers to miss out on their much anticipated visit to Rome.

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A SIMPLE TRAIN STRIKE RUINED THE CRUISE FOR THOUSANDS OF CRUISERS!

A simple train strike which happens quite often in Italy (and most cruisers are not aware of this or do not know how to check in advance for scheduled strike days) has ruined the cruise for thousands of Cruisers who opted to take the cheapest alternative of transportation and ended up stranded.

As one of our clients who in their early cruising days got left stranded at the port due to a train strike told us:

“You get what you pay for, we tried to be penny wise but ended up Euro foolish when that 10 Euro train ride for 2 turned into 200 euro taxi misadventure”.

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WHO WERE THE HAPPIEST CRUISERS ON TRAIN STRIKE DAY?

The happiest cruisers on the train strike day were those who booked private transfers and tours in advance and were not impacted by the train strike in the least.

Our shore excursion clients went on to enjoy their Rome shore excursions like nothing had happened.  

Our cruising clients traveled to and from Civitavecchia on our private transfers in the comfort of their private deluxe vehicle just like any other day.

And we were delighted to hear from our happy clients following their Rome tour from Civitavecchia tell us:

“We’re so glad we booked our tour with you, we didn’t want to be like those people stuck at the port all day, they were miserable!”

For Transfers and Tours to and from Civitavecchia with Stefano’s RomeCabs, click on the following options, or you can visit our official website at http://www.RomeCabs.com

 

CIVITAVECCHIA TRANSFERS

Civitavecchia Transfers with Rome Cabs

Civitavecchia Transfers with Rome Cabs

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ROME PRE CRUISE TOUR

Panoramic Rome collage

Rome Pre-Cruise Tour with Rome Cabs

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PANORAMIC ROME TOUR FOR CRUISERS

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COUNTRYSIDE PRE CRUISE TOUR

Countryside Pre Cruise Tour with Rome Cabs

Countryside Pre Cruise Tour with Rome Cabs

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ROME IN A DAY FROM CIVITAVECCHIA

ROME POST CRUISE TOUR


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ETRUSCAN MYSTERY

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COUNTRYSIDE SPLENDOR SHORE EXCURSION FROM CIVITAVECCHIA


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COUNTRYSIDE POST CRUISE TOUR


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Thank you very much for choosing Stefano’s RomeCabs for your Transfers and Tours in Italy.  

We look forward to welcome you to Rome!

The RomeCabs Team
http://www.RomeCabs.com

 

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Costly Case of Mistaken Identity at Fiumicino Airport (and how to prevent it)

Stefano's Rome Cabs Transfers

There are many travelers who share same or similar name as yours. Don’t let mistake identity ruin your arrival at Fiumicino Airport in Rome.

Find out how here:

You booked your Airport Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome, and arrived at at FCO exhausted and jet lagged, making your way out of the insanely busy baggage claim area to meet your private driver with whom you booked your hotel transfer.

You see someone holding a sign with your name….or maybe it looks like your name slightly misspelled. Close enough, these Italians must not be so good at spelling. He must be our driver, let’s go!

Whoa!! Hold on right there!

This is a classic case of Mistaken Identity at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

With tens of thousands of travelers coming through Fiuminicino Airport each day, it’s bound that someone else who shares your last name (or something similar to it) booked a private driver.

It’s so easy to go up to the wrong driver assuming he’s the one you booked with. And not all drivers are quick to realize that you are not the party that he was supposed to pick up.

And off you go…with the wrong driver, to the wrong hotel, for the wrong price.  Should you be worried? You bet!

Likely you booked a transfer company based on recommendations from sources you trust, extensive research, positive reviews on peer review sites, past experience with them, safety record, or other significant reasons.

Now you’ve unknowingly gotten into a vehicle with an unknown driver from an unknown company who thinks you are a different client taking you to a different destination than the one you booked.

Your personal safety could be at risk because you don’t know if this driver operates a legitimate business, his vehicle is properly maintained and insured, is a safe driver with a clean driving record.

All of a sudden, your vacation could be off to a bad start and you don’t even know it!

For your personal safety and well-being, we urge to keep in mind the following tips next time you arrive in Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.  

If you booked your Airport Transfer in Rome with Stefano’s Rome Cabs, you would first receive in your confirmation e-mail a link to a video that shows you exactly where to meet your Rome Cabs driver at the airport.

 

 

If you see a driver with a sign bearing your name who is not standing at or near the designated meeting point, he may not your driver.  

During the busy season there may be many drivers standing at the Meeting Point holding signs, so make sure you always look for your name on the signs.

Always make sure the driver you see holding up a sign with your name confirms that s/he is from Rome Cabs, knows your final destination and the quoted price.

A driver from a different company would not have this information, only your correct Rome Cabs driver does. Many SCAMMERS will approach you pretending to be “another ” company and take advantage of trusting travelers. Don’t become a victim.

Imposters and copycats actually COPY legitimate companies’ names on fly by night websites and can even copy a company’s logo and name on Name Cards to trick travelers into approaching them based on mere name recognition.

If you are uncertain about the driver, please call us immediately at the number we provide for you in case of an emergency. Keep that number handy as you should always call us if you’re unable to spot your driver, your arrival flight is late, or you a delayed exiting the baggage area.

You’ve come a long way to get to Rome, don’t let a bad case of mistaken identity ruin your first day here.

For more information on Rome Airport  Transfers from Fiumicino and Ciampino airports and Port Transfers to Civitavecchia, please visit us at www.RomeCabs.com. We look forward to assisting you in making your arrival to Rome a wonderful welcome to the Eternal City.

Do you have any practical travel and safety tips you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments box below.

Sharing is fun: If you found this article helpful, please pass it along to anyone who might benefit from it.

~Stefano’s Rome Cabs Team