High value vacations cruising from Civitavecchia

   

One of the two Azamara ships: Royal Caribbean's luxury  brand

Royal Caribbean International cruise line announced important  news for Civitavecchia, the port of  Rome, at the  recent press conference held  this week.  The managers of Royal Caribbean International and  the Civitavecchia Port Authority gave out some interesting numbers.

Announcing the  novelties for Civitavecchia 

  
 The port of Civitavecchia hosted 959 cruise ships in 2013  with 2,538,258 passengers arriving or departing from the docks. These numbers  will soar even higher   in 2014-15 when  several new   Royal Caribbean  ships  will be using  Civitavecchia as their home port.

The Mosaic lounge on Azamara 

Dominic Paul, Vice President of  Royal Caribbean International  announced  that  the company is investing millions of dollars in the construction of new cruise ships and expansion to capture an even higher percent of Italian cruisers. 

Pool deck on Azamara , my favorite of the Royal Caribbean ships

The company’s newest ships Oasis and Allure  (and later Quantum, which will become the world’s biggest cruise ship), will be  based out of Civitavecchia.

Ana Karina Santini  and Lina Mazzucco of Royal Caribbean 

This  investment means  that the hinterland of Civitavecchia will enjoy  a beneficial ripple effect with more jobs at the enlarged cruise terminal, more tourists looking for  pre and post cruise stays and excursions. Repeat cruisers will be especially interested  in visiting new, scenic and historic sites in  Etruria –not just bus or train trips into Rome.

I was happy to present  Mr. Paul with a copy of my book “Etruria Travel, History and Itineraries in Central Italy“ as a thank you for having  had me as guest lecturer on many Royal Caribbean ships over the past eight years. Check  out the many cruise enrichment lectures and itineraries here. 

Mary Jane presents  Dominic Paul  with her book 

It is also an invitation to combine a  Mediterranean cruise out of Civitavecchia  with a pre or post cruise holiday in Etruria. Cruisers will find dozens of delightful villages and towns ready to  welcome them just  beyond the hills of Civitavecchia. 

By adding on a pre or post cruise stay in Etruria, they can enjoy full  immersion in local Italian  life style, the food, wine, olive oil and  local  traditions.

For more information about  the area around Civitavecchia see this recent article: The Scenic Route from Rome to Civitavecchia  and find others  by putting the word Civitavecchia in the search box.