Naples: Pompeii & Mt Vesuvius Cruise Shore Excursion

Pompeii's Ash, Vesuvius's Crater: What Cruise Passengers See in One Day

You're picked up from the Naples cruise dock and driven to Pompeii for a two-hour guided walk through the plaster casts and Forum, then to Mt Vesuvius for a moderate hike to the crater at 3,900 feet with views across the Bay of Naples. Pizza lunch and all transport are included, and you're guaranteed return to the ship on time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Pompeii Archaeological Site2h · entry included
2. Mt. Vesuvius1h · entry included

Pompeii tour and Mt Vesuvius hike

• Pickup from cruise ship dock
• Drive 30 minutes to Pompeii
• Skip line and tour Pompeii ruins
• Visit Forum, baths, theatre, plaster casts
• Free time and pizza lunch
• Drive 40 minutes to Mt Vesuvius
• Hike up Mt Vesuvius volcano
• Enjoy panoramic views from summit
• Drive back to Naples

The experience

The coach pulls away from the Naples dock at dawn, and you're already moving toward something that stopped moving nearly two thousand years ago. Thirty minutes later, you're standing at the gates of Pompeii: the largest archaeological site in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the place where an entire Roman city froze in place the moment Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Your guide skips the ticket line, and then you're walking into streets where people were going about their day when the ash came down. The Forum, the thermal baths, the plaster casts of bodies (some curled, some reaching) they're all here, and they're all real. Two hours of walking, and you're not just seeing ruins. You're seeing the shape of a life that ended suddenly.

After Pompeii, there's time to catch your breath: shops to browse, then a pizza lunch with your group before the coach heads toward the volcano itself. Forty minutes north, and you're at the base of Mt Vesuvius, the only active volcano in continental Europe. The hike is moderate, not brutal, and there's a rest point halfway if you need it, but most people push to the summit at 3,900 feet. The crater opens below you, steam rising from it in thin plumes, and the view spreads out across the Bay of Naples from east to west. You're standing on something that's still alive, still capable of what it did two millennia ago, and that changes how you see the ruins you walked through that morning.

The whole thing (Pompeii's guided tour, the volcano hike, transport by shared coach, pizza lunch, entry fees to both sites) is built around the cruise schedule. The port pickup and drop-off are timed so you're back before departure, and if your ship is delayed or leaves early, the guarantee covers you. Groups stay under fifty people, and the guide is with you the whole way. Wear comfortable shoes for the volcano, dress for the weather (it operates rain or shine), and bring your passport ID for the tour paperwork. If Vesuvius closes due to weather, you get the entrance fee back.

What’s included

• Professional guide at both Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius.
• skip-the-line entry to Pompeii Archaeological Site.
• access to Mt Vesuvius National Park.
• shared air-conditioned coach transport.
• pizza lunch with a drink.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee covering timely return to ship.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:45Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 50 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Project Napoli Service

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docked in Naples and want both Pompeii and Vesuvius in one day without arranging separate transport, tickets, or timing. The shore excursion guarantee means you'll make your ship departure, even if plans change.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (under 4).

How long is the hike up Mt Vesuvius?

The hike is moderate and takes you to the summit at 3,900 feet (1,200 meters). There's a rest point partway if you need it, and you can wait there while others continue to the top.

What's included in the price?

Professional guide, coach transport, skip-the-line entry to Pompeii (20 euros), Mt Vesuvius National Park access (11 euros), pizza lunch with a drink, and port pickup and drop-off.

How much time do you spend at Pompeii?

Two hours with a guided tour of the main sites (the Forum, thermal baths, theatre, and plaster casts) plus free time afterward to browse shops before lunch.

What happens if Mt Vesuvius is closed due to weather?

You'll still visit Pompeii and enjoy the rest of the tour. The entrance fee to the National Park (11 euros) will be refunded if it closes.

Is there a guarantee I'll make it back to the ship on time?

Yes. The tour is timed to ensure timely return to Naples port. If your ship departs early, they'll arrange transport to the next port. If your ship is delayed and you can't attend, you get a full refund.

What's the group size?

Shared coach tours with up to 50 people per group.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The hike is described as suitable for all physical fitness levels. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and there's a rest point on the volcano if you need it.