Your guide to the Naples cruise port - Capri, Pompeii and the city on foot

The terminal (Stazione Marittima) is the main cruise facility at the Port of Naples, or Porto di Napoli, on the Naples waterfront. The port's central position to the city means guests step off directly into the vibrant culture, not into an industrial port area miles from the city center.

Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) is a 13th-century Angevin castle very near the terminal, just across the street. Its five cylindrical towers, topped with classic battlements, are visible from the gangway. This remarkable medieval landmark orients guests within the city and reminds all who look upon it that much important history has been made in this region.

Molo Beverello is the Naples ferry terminal directly adjacent to Stazione Marittima, and is the departure point for hydrofoils and other ferries to Capri, Ischia and Sorrento for both the Princess excursions and independent guests.

Mount Vesuvius is only a few miles away and is readily visible across the bay from the port on a clear day. This is the infamous volcano that buried Pompeii in 79 AD, and is visible before guests even reach it. It’s still considered an active volcano, though its last eruption was in 1944.

The historic city center, Piazza del Plebiscito and Galleria Umberto I are all reachable on foot from the terminal, within a 10-15 minute walk.

Princess offers a full-day curated excursion (Best of the Bay of Naples - Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri) from the Naples cruise port that covers all three of the region's most celebrated destinations in one combined motorcoach and hydrofoil journey, with no separate logistics needed. 

You board a motorcoach from the port, and time permitting, take an optional stop at a cameo factory where artisans carve seashells into jewelry before a guided tour of Pompeii's UNESCO World Heritage site. These famous excavations were once buried under volcanic ash when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The city, the forum, the streets, the preserved detail of daily Roman life, all were frozen in time by the eruption and many visitors find Pompeii very moving.

Next you visit Sorrento, a coastal town overlooking the Bay of Naples, for lunch at a local restaurant using ingredients from the Campania region, and a stroll down to the Sorrento pier for a photo opportunity across the bay. The clifftop position of the town creates memorable views. At the Sorrento pier you board a hydrofoil/jet boat to Capri and ride a funicular cable-car up the island for shopping and more scenic views, before returning to Naples by hydrofoil. (Depending on conditions this Naples excursion may operate in reverse order.) This excursion takes around 10 hours, and is a perpetual favorite.

For guests spending a port day in Naples or those beginning or ending their cruise here, a natural walking route from the terminal covers several centuries of notable Naples high points and history without having to arrange transport.

Castel Nuovo’s interior is open to visitors Monday through Saturday for around 6 euros, and is worth a visit for history buffs. A short walk along the waterfront takes you to Piazza del Plebiscito, one of Italy's largest squares, with the stately Royal Palace of Naples at one end.

Galleria Umberto I is a 19th-century glass-and-iron arcade a short walk from the piazza. Light comes through the vaulted dome, illuminating the cafés and shops beneath. An ornate marble floor with a central mosaic set off this place as functional art in which Neapolitans still shop and drink coffee daily.

A 15-minute walk brings you to Spaccanapoli - the long straight street through Napoli’s UNESCO historic center. A narrow lane takes you past baroque churches, pizza shops and other vibrant street life. History buffs will take the time to walk another 10 minutes to the National Archaeological Museum (MANN), one of the world's greats, housing notable finds from nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Princess excursions depart from the cruise port, so no logistics are needed. This is the recommended option for guests wishing to visit Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri on a day ashore.

For cruise guests who prefer exploring on their own, taxis are available at the terminal. Licensed taxis use fixed tourist rates for major destinations so no negotiation is needed. If you like the Metro, Line 1 connects the port area (via Municipio station, a few minutes' walk away) to central Naples and further afield if desired.

For independent guests, ferries and hydrofoils from Molo Beverello are available to reach Capri, Ischia and Sorrento.

Good walking shoes are essential for visitors to Naples, as there are cobblestones throughout the historic center and on Capri. Italy uses the Euro and most central Naples attractions and restaurants accept cards.

The Naples cruise port is a mid-cruise port stop and also serves as a Princess embarkation and disembarkation port, depending on your itinerary. So cruise guests beginning or ending their Mediterranean or European cruise here can explore the city further before boarding or after their cruise is over, no matter what time of the year you decide to visit.

It’s hard to think of a port with a more remarkable combination of scenery and history available in one day ashore. With Vesuvius visible from the gangway, Castel Nuovo mere steps away, Pompeii a 30-minute drive and Capri a short hydrofoil hop further, the Naples cruise port concentrates more of southern Italy's most celebrated experiences within a single port day than almost any other Mediterranean locale.

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