Only one day each in Cinque Terre and Florence from Livorno cruise port, only one day in Rome from Civitavecchia cruise port, and Pompeii (Naples cruise port). Especially concerned about doing Rome in one day. Have Vatican scheduled for 12:30 pm (unfortunately the only time available) and haven't figured out when to schedule Colosseum. It will be a Saturday in the summer so that's not great either but the only time the kids will be out of school. Concerned about transportation since most tickets are timed.

Welcome to Fodors. We edited your title to identify what you are asking.

How much time are you going to spend at the Vatican? If you plan to visit the Vatican Museum as well as the Basilica, that could take a good part of your day. What time will you get into Rome and what time do you have to leave for the ship?

Depending on how much time you have, I think you'll be hard pressed to do both the Vatican and the Colosseum in the same day. If you do find a way, I suggest you taxi around Rome. I'm usually a big fan of public transportation but I don't know if that's best in your situation. Make sure to have plenty of euros on hand for taxis. I was there last summer and I discovered Roman cabbies don't like taking cards.

Let me put something out there, in case you're interested. Instead of the Colosseum, why not visit the Pantheon? We didn't book ahead for that and the line was very short. The Pantheon is also a short walk to the Piazza Navona which has 3 great fountains. In the other direction, it's a short walk to the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi is far more crowded than the Piazza Navona. Since time is short, I think this is a better use of the time you have. You could ask a taxi driver just to go past the Colosseum, but touring both in the same day is a lot. Rome wasn't built in a day, and it can't all be seen in a day.

Rome is an amazing city, but like all big cities, do watch for pickpockets. I kicked one when I was there a few months ago. 😀 if you click my name, you can find the thread.

Have a great trip.

Thank you so much for your reply! The ship arrives in Civitecchia at 7 am and leaves at 8 pm. I actually would rather skip the Vatican than the Colosseum but that's just me. The kids probably will get their fill of museums in Florence. I will make sure we have plenty of Euros for taxis.

Skipping the Vatican will work too, but I thought that was a priority. Either will be fascinating.

By any chance, are you on Princess? I took that cruise last year, but mine ended in Rome so we spent a few days there.

No unfortunately it is Norwegian. I usually cruise Princess but this ship is supposed to be best for teens and my two teenaged grandchildren and their parents are cruising with me. This cruise starts and ends in Barcelona.

I just thought of something else. Rome can be extremely hot in the summer. I'm from Texas so I'm no stranger to heat, but I thought I would melt on my tour of the Colosseum. The Vatican would be indoors, which is a big plus at that time of year. My Colosseum tour was in the morning, and it was miserably hot. I wouldn't even consider doing that tour on a summer afternoon. Given that, the Vatican is sounding like the better idea.

OP, when you refer to Vatican, are you referring to St. Peter's only or the Vatican Museums (which includes Sistine Chapel)? I ask because you don't seem interested in the museum piece. St. Peter's is free but you may have a long security line. If you want to do the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel, pre-book your ticket.

To P_Ms point, the Museums may be air conditioned, but I suspect the St. Peters may not be - churches often aren't, but I could be wrong.

I'll be honest, unless you get lucky with admissions and timing, you may be stretched thin to do both sites, especially during summer.

Is the tour at 12:30 through the cruise line? Or is it via an independent company? If through an independent company (or even a re-seller like Get Your Guide or Viator), I'd be a bit weary that the tickets are truly secured if your visit is in the summer as tickets aren't available this far in advance, if I understand correctly.

EDIT: I'd consider also researching the cruise section of this forum as well as posting your question on Cruise Critic as it is a cruise-centric forum. I think you can join a specific group for your cruise that can maybe offer additional insight.

Very good advice! Thank you so much!!!

I already have tickets for The Vatican Museums but sadly the only time I could get was 12:30 pm and I don't know if there is time to do the Colosseum first. also I don't know if the metro runs from Colosseum to Vatican. Does it go both ways? I booked the Vatican from the Vatican itself and was going to book the Colosseum from the Colosseum also but it was too soon to book the Colosseum.

When I was there last year, my Colosseum tour began at 9 or 9:30 (not sure which) and it lasted about two hours, as it included the forum. It's doable, but once again, you are in for a hectic day. There are other things to see which are not so time sensitive.

I believe the Basilica was air conditioned, as I recall the temperature being very comfortable inside. I was there around July 1, in case it matters.