By a salty cruise veteran with sand in her shoes and extra sunscreen in her tote.
As I stepped off the ship in Naples, coffee in hand and sandals already whispering promises of adventure, I was expecting a solid day of sightseeing, possibly some gelato, and definitely a nap on a sun-soaked stone bench. What I didn’t expect was to walk back in time—nearly 2,000 years—with my mouth agape at Pompeii’s still-standing bakery ovens and delightfully inappropriate wall graffiti that could make a sailor blush (which, amusingly, I am). It was the first of many moments where I realized just how accessible—and awe-inspiring—ancient Roman sites can be during a simple day in port.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or your suitcase practically shakes out its own creases when unpacked, these 7 Roman wonders are not just quick visits—they’re ancient magic neatly packaged into doable port excursions. So slip on your comfiest shoes, pack water (you’ll thank me later), and let’s cruise through history.
1. Pompeii (from Naples, Italy)
Ah, Pompeii—the superstar of Roman ruins and only a 30-minute drive from the port of Naples. A city flash-frozen in AD 79 by Mount Vesuvius’s wrath, it’s eerie, grand, and oddly intimate.
Insider Tips:
- Go early or late. Most tours flood in around 10 a.m. If you’re docked early, be in that taxi by 8 to beat the crowds and the sun.
- Grab a map at the gate. Pompeii is sprawling. Trust me, wandering aimlessly turns into heatstroke faster than you can say “toga.”
- Portable audio guides are a game changer if you skip the organized excursion.
Bonus Tip: Somewhere near the baths, you’ll find a fresco of a well-endowed man above a little bakery shop. It’s not vandalism—it’s original. The Romans were cheeky like that!
2. Ostia Antica (from Civitavecchia – Port of Rome)
Everyone flocks to the Colosseum (and we’ll get to that), but Ostia Antica is Rome’s forgotten twin—only 45 minutes from port, no gladiator crowds, all the grandeur.
Why It’s Worth It:
- You get a full Roman city sans hordes of tourists. Temples, baths, bars (yes, ancient bar counters), even a public loo. Historians are still geeking out over the mosaics every time they visit.
Pro Tip: Take a private transfer here straight from port—shared excursions rarely go, and trains can be unpredictable.
Humor Moment: I once mistook a public latrine for a fancy ceremonial bench and sat down cross-legged with my gelato… until a guide gave me the look usually reserved for someone petting a lion.
3. The Colosseum & Roman Forum (from Civitavecchia – Port of Rome)
Yes, it’s cliché, and yes, you have to elbow your way through a sea of selfie sticks, but good grief—it’s the Colosseum. Gladiators! Roaring crowds! Emperors with questionable morals!
Cruise Hacks:
- Book a “skip-the-line” ticket or get on a ship-sponsored tour. Rome’s an hour from port, and you don’t want to miss your ship racing back from the Forum on a public bus.
- Pair it with the Roman Forum next door—a glorious sprawl of temples and basilicas. Walk where Caesar was stabbed (maybe), or at least where he probably threw a few parties.
Little-Known Gem: Grab a bite at Ristorante Aroma—has a view of the Colosseum and pasta to die for. Make that reservation early, though.
4. Herculaneum (from Naples)
Pompeii’s smaller, richer cousin. Preserved under deeper volcanic debris, Herculaneum is the hidden gem you almost don’t want to share.
Why You’ll Love It:
- It’s compact—you can explore it thoroughly in 2 hours and still be back onboard for lunch (or a second one).
- The mosaics and second-story homes give you a more “real life” feel than Pompeii.
- Far fewer tourists. I once shared the entire main street with just a curious cat and a sprightly old couple from Yorkshire.
Pro Tip: Book a guide here. The deeper preservation allows for more in-depth interpretation—like ancient carbonized food in kitchens and personal jewelry in bedrooms!
5. Leptis Magna (from Tripoli, Libya – if your cruise dares)
Okay, this one’s a wildcard—it’s rare, off-the-beaten-path, and cruises here depend heavily on geopolitics. But Leptis Magna is considered one of the best-preserved Roman sites on Earth.
If You Can Go:
- You’ll find temples, amphitheaters, and colonnaded streets so intact it feels like the Romans left just last Tuesday.
- Usually only accessible with a ship-sponsored shore excursion due to travel restrictions and safety.
Fun Fact: Emperor Septimius Severus was born here, making Leptis Rome’s answer to “local boy makes good.”
6. Volubilis (from Casablanca, Morocco)
Wait, what? Morocco and the Romans? Oh yes. Volubilis is a surprise stunner nestled in North Africa and only a 90-minute drive from Casablanca.
What You’ll Discover:
- Unskippered villas, glorious mosaics under open sky, and storks nesting in ancient Corinthian columns.
- Views of the surrounding hills that will make your camera weep with gratitude.
Challenge Alert: The port-stop to site time eats up a good chunk of the day, so go only if your ship offers it as a guided excursion—or is in port for at least 10 hours.
7. Ephesus (from Kusadasi, Turkey)
I know, I know—“Ephesus is Greek!” But the Romans took it over in grand style, and what’s left is a thundering reminder of their empire’s scale.
What’s Here:
- The famed Library of Celsus. Instagram alert.
- Roman baths, terrace houses, mosaics galore.
What I Always Say: “You can almost hear the sandals snapping over stone as senators gossiped under columns.”
Tip from the Trenches: Don’t skip the Terrace Houses. They cost extra and require a bit of staircase action, but the level of detail—mosaics, frescoes, underfloor heating—is pure “Lifestyles of the Ancient and Fabulous.”
Final Thoughts: Stand Where They Stood
The magic of cruising is that in one week, you can sip sangria in Spain, toss a coin in Trevi Fountain, and walk where Julius Caesar may have bought his bread. Ancient Rome wasn’t just a city—it was an empire scattered across continents, and thanks to strategic port locations, you can actually stand in many of its finest remnants—all within a day’s excursion.
But here’s the secret: Don’t just see these places. Listen to them. That echo in the amphitheater? It’s not just tourists yelling “Echo!”—it’s voices from the past reminding us that history isn’t buried. It’s very much alive.
And on the best cruise days, it rallies, shifts the dust just slightly, and invites us in.
Bonus Tips for Ancient Site Cruisers:
- Pack a Fog Bank in Sunscreen Form: Ancient sites = little to no shade.
- Cash Still Reigns: Small vendors near sites often don’t accept cards.
- Bring a Hat with a Chin Strap: Roman ruins are notoriously breezy. You haven’t known panic until your sunhat cartwheels toward a Roman toilet.
- Wear Sturdy Shoes: Those ancient roads? Gorgeous unless you’re in flip-flops. Don’t ask how I know.
Bon voyage, and may your next port be paved with lasting empires and really good espresso.
