Rome, Sistine Chapel tours
 

I have been trying to sort out tours to the Sistine Chapel. I think I have narrowed it down to Select Italy-Two Masters at the Papel Court or Through Eternity's private tour of the Vatican. Then again is a private tour really necessary? I just read "Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling" and I think we will miss alot of the messages in the paintings if we don't have a guide. The cost of the tours is around $100 per person. Also Select Italy will reserve tickets for the Sistine Chapel for a $50 fee. Is it a good idea do that? We will be 4 people traveling so it's not the $50 but will we be saving time that would be better spent instead of standing in line.

I don't understand what you mean when you say "Select Italy will reserve tickets for the Sistine Chapel for a $50 fee." There is no separate charge for the Sistine Chapel. It's all part of the admission fee to the Vatican Museum, which is far, far less than $50. Further $100 per person for a tour seems high. What does the tour cover and how long does it last?
A fee of at least $50 per person seems a lot to pay to avoid waiting in a line....especially since you won't have to wait too long if you go early.
I can't speak about the value of a tour in general, but I can tell you that the audio cd at the Vatican Museum is outstanding, the best I've ever experienced at any museum anywhere.

I agree with HowardR, personally I would use a guide for other areas of the city, there information can bring the city to life. There is enough info out there about the ceiling. A guide is also good for St Peters if that is your interest, lots of things to cover there.

I agree that the $ 50. "reservation fee" for the Sistine Chapel sounds very, very odd. The Sistine Chapel, as has been pointed out, is part of the Vatican Museums and admission is nowhere near $ 50.

I believe guided tours of any kind are given precedence to enter the Vatican Museums, and the very broad consensus on this forum is that the best guided tours are those offered by Scala Reale (which has a Web site).

A Scala Reale tour may be no less expensive, but you will be assured that you are paying for the services of an extremely well qualified guide with one or more degrees in art history rather than for a fictitious "reservation fee."

We toured the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with a private guide from Through Eternity. He was FANTASTIC! I highly recommend a private guide to get the most out of your tour. You might want to request Johnny (from Ireland). By the way, the cafeteria there is pretty good & reasonably priced.

You don't say when it is that you will be going to Rome. If you're fortunate enough to go in the off season, you will not need to reserve anything. If you go during high season, I don't see how any tour guide, 50 bucks or not, can arrange for you to "fully enjoy" the Vatican tour, including the Sistine Chapel. It's unfortunate but it's so crowded that you can't take in the beauty.