A budget would help in recommending hotels since there are so many to choose from in both Barcelona and Rome. You might be interested in reading Maribel's Guide to Barcelona to get a better idea of what some of the hotels are like (www.maribelsguides.com), and www.rome.info/hotels/ for hotel ratings in Rome.

Do you have any guide book at all? If not, please invest $20 to buy a copy of Rick Steves' "Mediterranean Cruise Ports" guidebook.

This book covers Barcelona, Rome, and several other ports in the Mediterranean region. The book has maps, sights, transportation options, and hotel recommendations for Barcelona and Rome. You many also get his guidebook that just covers Rome, or just Barcelona, in more details.

In Rome: Borghese Gallery (must reserve), Vatican, Colosseum and any of the dozens of fabulous churches such as Pantheon, Il Gesu, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, San Franciso a Ripa, San Giovanni in Laterano, San Clemente, St. Peter in Chains, Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Maria della Vittoria.

Apart from all the above, you need to be aware that Civitavecchia Cruise Port, laughingly called "Rome" is in fact about 50 miles from the City. Make sure that you check out the various costs of the transfer, cruise line, taxi, car etc as they can and will cost you more than a night in a hotel.

With three couples you can of course divide the cost up, but ensure that you get a vehicle that can take 6 plus baggage. Last year with RCL, we were charged about $95 each for the transfer by their coach pre cruise and a cab cost us about €180 for two post cruise. Negotiate with the driver and it should work out cheaper per head.

Thanks for all the info. I'll definitely check into the cost of getting to Rome from the dock. We just watched Rick Steve's TV show about Rome - and all the antiquities. There is lots to see.

Any recommendations for hotels?

Electra

You need to share what price category you are looking for as there are many choices in every price range per night.. As mentioned above, look at www.maribelsguides.com and choose Barcelona. I found our hotel there and trust her judgement.

We have been in and out of Civit... on various cruises six times. It is easy and cheap to take the train, 6 to 12E and 45 mins to an hour 15 depending on the train. It is a commuter run with three to four trains an hour. The key is to limit the luggage. For cruises we take three carryon size bags - 2 rolling, 1 backpack style - total for both of us.

Our hotel of preference for Rome is Hotel Sonya (3 Star) - about three blocks from Termini, across from the Opera house and nice area for local restaurants, etc. You are on the edge of the main tourists sites but we can walk to the Vatican in less than an hour or go back to the Termini plaza for a number of local transit options.

Also in the area have stayed in the Aberdeen - very nice but about six blocks or so from Termini and when just passing through Rome for an overnight will use Contilla which is just one block south of Termini out the side door.

Someone suggested the Hotel Barrett in Rome. Has anyone stayed there?

How about the Borremeo?

We have decided on the Sonya in Rome. It looks as though it is well-located. Thanks fmpden for the recommendation.

Electra