Are You Ready To Sail From Italy To The Best Islands Of The Mediterranean?

The countdown is on! It’s time to start planning all those little details that will make our OUTbound Italy & Islands of the Med Cruise even more amazing! Below are a few things to help you make the most of our vacation together. As always, if you have any questions that we haven’t covered, or have a special request, hit us up… either by phone at 916.683.1000 or email us at info@iamOUTbound.com.

Let’s get started!

Flights

Flight Ideas

Since our Italy & the Islands of the Med Cruise starts in Rome and ends in Nice, flights can be a little tricky. Many OUTbounders are booking a ‘Multi-City’ ticket when looking for flights. The ‘Multi-City’ option can be found on most airline’s websites where you would choose between a one-way or round trip flight or under the ‘Advanced Search’ link. With the ‘Multi-City’ option, you’ll be able to enter your departure airport, arrival in Rome (FCO) and then a departure from Nice (NCE) back to your original airport. The multi-city option will often be cheaper than purchasing two one-way tickets separately.

The airline you choose is completely up to you. While flights are not included, we’re always happy to help narrow down the best flight options with you. Simply give us a call or send us an email, letting us know where you’ll be flying from, if you have a preferred airline (based on frequent flyer miles or credit card points), and what class of service you typically like to book.

Boarding Our Ship

Getting to the Ship

Our ship will be docked at the Port of Civitavecchia Cruise Terminal.

The exact address of the Port of Civitavecchia Cruise Terminal is: Civitavecchia Port (Rome), Italy Cruise Port, Molo Vespucci.

The Port of Civitavecchia Cruise Terminal complex is huge. As we get a little closer to our sail date, our ship, the Azamara Onward, will be assigned a specific dock. We’ll update this section with the most current dock location once that has been assigned.

Boarding

Boarding officially begins at 1:00pm local time on Sunday, September 5, 2027, but you are free to arrive at our ship at any time after 12:00pm, drop your luggage with one of the many porters, head through a quick security checkpoint, and then relax with some light refreshments in the dock facility until pre-boarding begins. Once pre-boarding opens, you’ll be able to register at one of the many gate agent counters, board the ship and participate in a quick muster station and security information session, and then begin exploring the gorgeous Azamara Onward.

The Windows Café on Deck 9 will be open to grab a bite and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders!

Remember, your transfers from our host hotel in Rome to our ship docked in Civitavecchia are included with your hotel package!

Rome Host Hotel

Our Host Hotel In Rome

For those of you who are getting a jump start on your vacation and arriving early in Rome to kick your jet lag, see a little of the city and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders, we have you covered with our incredible host hotel, the UNA Decò Roma. Our central Rome hotel is conveniently situated just a few blocks from Rome’s Termini Station and just a short walk to the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Tervi Fountain and many other of Rome’s famous landmarks.

A stylish, contemporary hotel in a great location, the UNA Decò Roma offers bright, comfortable rooms with air conditioning and a generous daily breakfast buffet that will set you up for a day exploring the Eternal City. Here’s a link to all of our host hotel options… Rome Host Hotel

UNA Decò Roma Address: Via Giovanni Amendola, 57, 00185 Roma, Italy

Getting To Our Hotel

By Train
Getting to the UNA Hotels Decò Roma by train from the airport is the recommended way to go. The Leonardo Express, a non-stop service dedicated exclusively to airport passengers to and from Rome’s Termini Station has departures every 15 minutes. You’ll be able to buy your tickets at the airport directly in front of the train station. Travel time is 32 minutes. Once you have arrived at Termini Station, our hotel is three blocks away… a quick five minute walk.

By Car
The UNA Hotels Decò Roma is about an hour from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino (FCO) airport by either taxi or Uber, depending on the time of day and traffic.

Remember, your transfers from our host hotel in Rome to our ship docked in Civitavecchia are included with your hotel package!

Rome Tour Options

LGBTQ+ Tours of Rome

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday you can start exploring with our OUTbound optional tours of Rome. OUTbound has partnered with a local LGBTQ+ tour agency to design a different kind of London holiday for our community, offering a uniquely rainbow experience in Italy’s capital city. Thanks to our LGBTQ+ tour experts and their knowledge, our OUTbounders will get a personal, up close tour of some of Rome’s best-known sights. Start exploring all the things you want to see on a standard tour, but with an emphasis on its LGBTQ+ history just for us!

Here’s a link to all of our Rome tour options… Rome Tours

Theme Nights

Theme Nights & Parties

Nothing makes an OUTbound event more fun than our THEME NIGHTS! This is your chance to express yourself with a fun t-shirt, wild wig or full blown costume. Feel free to show us what you’ve got! As always with OUTbound, you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like, it’s up to you!

Be sure to check back as we get a little closer to our sail date to see the full list of our Theme Nights! We’ll announce these about three months before we sail… plenty of time to plan and get creative!

Travel Tips

Take A Picture!

Before heading out on a big trip, most travelers focus on packing the right clothes, confirming reservations, and making sure your passports are in hand. But seasoned OUTbounders know there’s another small step that can make a big difference in a pinch… snapping a few key photos before you leave home.

These quick snapshots take less than two minutes to capture but can save hours of stress if luggage gets lost, travel apps glitch, or important documents go missing.

Passport
A clear photo of the main passport page can make it faster to get a replacement at an embassy or consulate if your passport is lost. It’s best to keep this image in a secure, password-protected file or cloud app.

Prescription Medications & Labels
OUTbounders who take medication should take a picture of both your pills and the prescription labels. If your medications get lost or you run out, having the generic drug name on hand can make it much easier to refill while traveling.

Boarding Pass & Travel Documents
Travel apps sometimes glitch, and wifi isn’t always reliable at the airport. A screenshot of your boarding pass ensures it’s available offline when needed. The same goes for any hotel confirmations, train tickets, or tour reservations booked outside of your OUTbound trip.

Luggage Contents
Snapping a photo of everything packed in your suitcase before zipping it shut can be invaluable if your bags are delayed or lost. Airlines and insurance companies often ask for detailed lists of contents when processing a claim. A quick image can serve as proof of what was inside your bags and speed up any claims you might need to make.

As we all know, travel can be unpredictable, but your smartphone camera (something that’s already in your pocket and doesn’t require any extra cost) offers one of the easiest safeguards. Taking a few extra photos before you depart is a small habit that can prevent big headaches… and help you stay calm when plans don’t go exactly as expected.

Tipping

Tipping Our Hosts

Tips for our onboard ship staff are included with your OUTbound vacation through the Islands & Empires of the Med.

Tips for our tour guides in Rome or for any of the shore excursions from our ship during the cruise are not included and are optional. At the end of each day’s guided tour, you’ll have the chance to tip our guide and driver whatever you feel your experience was worth.

If you feel that any individual in particular, either onboard our ship or during one of your tours, has gone above and beyond in making your experience something extra special, we encourage you to reach out to them directly and let them know how much you appreciated their service during our time together.

Currency

What Money Should You Bring?

Italy, France & Malta

Italy, France & Malta are all members of the European Union and three of the countries that use the Euro (abbreviated €) as their national currency. That means you will be able to use Euros in Rome and almost every other city we visit during our cruise.

Tunisa

The Dinar is the official currency of Tunisa. While some shops and restaurants in Tunisia may accept US Dollars or Euros, most establishments require payments in Dinar. It is highly recommended that you exchange your Euros or Dollars for Dinars upon arrival, or use your credit card for any purchases while we are in Tunisia.

You can also use your credit or debit card as well throughout our trip, as credit cards are widely accepted everywhere in all of the countries we will visit. However, remember that there will be additional bank charges upon usage and even a foreign transaction fee in some cases, depending on your bank.

Visa Requirements

Will I need a Visa to enter the European Union?

EU Electronic Travel Authorization Requirement
For almost a decade now, European Union authorities have been working on a visa-like system called the European Travel Information and Authorization System. After several years of delays, the new system should be in operation by the time of our cruise in September, 2027.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be a mandatory, web-based entry requirement for visa-exempt travelers (including citizens from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) visiting 30 European countries for short stays (up to 90 days in 180 days). Launching in late 2026, applicants must complete an online form via the official website or app, pay a €20 fee, and have it approved before traveling to the EU.

We will alert anyone booked with us about the steps needed to complete the ETIAS requirements prior to our cruise.

For all of the latest ETIAS information, visit the official European Union Travel website HERE.

EU Entry and Exit System (EES)
As of October 12, 2025, US citizens will need to go through the EU’s new Entry and Exit System when traveling to 29 European countries. This applies to any visits lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Your fingerprints, facial image, passport details, and entry and exit dates will be collected upon entry to an EES country and stored digitally. You do not need to pay a fee to enter the Schengen Area or the EU. The new system will be introduced gradually, and no advanced action is required.

There is no online application, advanced registration, or fee required for the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). It is a biometric border control system that replaces traditional passport stamping. You will complete your EES registration in-person at a self-service kiosk or border desk the first time you enter a Schengen Area country.

Travel to Europe Mobile App (EES)
The Travel to Europe mobile application is now available, allowing pre-registration of travel information prior to arrival in Portugal. The app allows non-EU travelers to pre-register their passport data for the Entry/Exit System (EES) before reaching a border crossing point.

Non-EU nationals can use the app to pre-register their data up to 72 hours prior to entering or leaving a European country.

The app is voluntary and does not replace border checks but makes border crossing more efficient. Use of the application is optional and free of charge, and it is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can get more information about the EES Mobile App by clicking HERE.

Power Outlets

What Power Converters Will I Need?

Our ship, the Azamara Onward, has two (2) EU 220v Type C outlets and two (2) US 110v Standard outlets in each stateroom. Feel free to bring a USB adapter with multiple outlets so that you can charge several of your devices at once.

If you are joining us early in Rome before our cruise, you’ll need a Type C adapter for use at our hotel as it has the standard EU power outlets.

The Type C is the plug which has two round pins, like this…

You can also find a ton of options on Amazon or other retailers that will include USB ports for charging your phone, tablet and other devices all at the same time.

Keep in mind that the United Kingdom (UK) uses different power outlets than the EU, so the Type C adapter will not work if you are visiting England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland during your trip.

Travel Insurance

If we’ve learned anything over these last couple of years, it’s that the world can be an uncertain place at times. While you’re never required to buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea and we recommend all OUTbounders consider protecting your hard-earned vacation money. The price of your coverage will depend on a few factors, including the cost of the trip, what state you live in, how long before the trip departs, and if you have any pre-existing or underlying health conditions, to name a few.

Some reasons why you might buy travel insurance include:

Cancel for Any Reason
Unexpected Work Requirements
Personal or Family Illness

OUTbound does not provide travel insurance. However, we always recommend using a third-party insurance carrier to provide your coverage.

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