I hope someone can give us some advice on the best way to travel from Rome to Civitavecchia in order to catch a cruise in October.We are a group of 8 seniors who are generaly fit except for one who has some walking difficulties.We will be staying in the area of the Termini for 4 days ---thanks

This thread mentions two or three shuttle companies; most of themn do Civitavecchia-Rome as well as Fiumicino-Rome. It should be possible for you to get a van for all eight people, unless you have many large pieces of luggage (as most people who are going on a cruise do...):

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34766866

If you're able to use public transportation, the FR-5 regional train goes from Termini to Civitavecciha about every hour for ~ 4 euros each. You would get taxis from the station in Civitavecchia to the port.
I would guess it would depend on how much luggage you have and how much trouble you friend has walking to the train and getting on.

Context Rome (www.contextrome.com), the tour group about which so many here seem to rave, also offers transportation services. We booked a van through them for 7 from the airport to the city at a rate much lower than others offered. Don't know how their rates to the port compare with others, though.

If you book a driver make sure he is allowed to take you all the way to the ship in Civitavecchia, not just to the port. The dock area is VERY long and you don't want to have to do that walk with the luggage if at all possible. Some companies have a permit to enter the pier area and some do not.