I have many posts at many websites about Civitavecchia. By none of the posts have answered a basic question. Where specifically does one meet the Carnival cruise ship shuttle to the ship and/or dock terminal check-in location? In this case, I read you can board anytime after 12:30-1 pm and the ship leaves that evening at 7 pm.

I am taking the October 25th Carnival Freedom Eastern med cruise. I plan on taking the train from the airport to rome  (9 euro; Leonardo De Vinci non-spot train to Rome and then from the Rome Central terminal out to Civitacchia 12 euro).

From what I have read on some posts, at different sites, one can take a taxi and/or walk ...I am trying to find out about the shuttle which from what I have read leaves in front of some fort ,,,near the entrance to the commercial and various ship dock area 

Hi

We're on the same cruise and doing the same thing, except we're staying overnight in Rome the night before.

 I found this website which gives comprehensive directions and a map

 http://www.ftroute.com/FCO_ROM_CIV.htm

http://www.ftroute.com/images/CivitaBirdsEye.jpg

 I hope you see this in time.  It's only a few days away now

Tom Ogg has written up a good description of how to get from ship to the train station.  So you will be going in reverse.

http://www.europeportreviews.com/Rome2.htm

To summarize.  You get out of the Civitavecchia train station.  Turn right and walk along the street (water is on your left as you walk).  After about 10 minutes you will see McDonald sign and stairs.  At that intersection (of the stairs), cross the street so you are going towards the water.  There's a little gate entrance where you would go into and the shuttle stop is right there.  You will see the fort.  Then just have to look for the shuttle with the ship you want, which when I was there less than a week ago, is posted on a handwritten sign on the bus dashboard.