Hi, we're going on a cruise with a stopover in Rome on November 8th. Any idea how long the lineup is into the Vatican Museum?

If you go at lunchtime (non to 1-ish), it should be practically non-existent

I meant to say noon to 1-ish

Actually that was exactly the time I was thinking of going. Great - thanks!

Another question: Vatican guided tour will not be available (only available at 10:30am for the month I am going - won't make it into Rome in time). I am contemplating either just going by myself and renting one of those audio thingamajing they have at the Vatican or going with a third party hired tour group that is not part of the cruiseship tours (I'm thinking of the company Angels Tour Rome). What would people recommend (do it on my own or going with the tour group)?

If the only place you wish to go in Rome is the Vatican I'd be inclined to do it on your own (and rent the audioguide). On the other hand, if you want to see/do more, you might be better off with a "third party" tour guide - they can "facilitate" getting around and avoid getting lost/losing time going from one location to another. We've used Through Eternity, which has gotten good reviews here. Another tour company with good reviews is Context Rome.

Buon Viaggo!

KC

hi, haliburton,

we "did" the vatican by ourselves and found a good guide book sufficient for our needs. we didn't rent an audio guide, and didn't miss it!

if you don't have an audio guide, when you get to the finish of the tour at the sistine chapel, you can exit it by using the little door at the back which leads [after several lots of steps] into St. Peter's, thus by passing the security check for the basilica.

However, If you rent an audioguide, you need to return to the entrance to hand it back, which means a long walk back round the walls of the vatican to get to ST. Peters', plus queuing to get past teh st. peter's security check.

personally, I'd buy a good book!

regards, ann

In November, the latest entrance time is 12:30 and the museum closes at 1:45. I would not plan to go that late fi you want to see anything.
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...fo_Orario.html

Oh No! I didn't realize the very short opening hours - thanks Kybourbon!
This may be a problem since our ship does not dock until 7am in Civitavecchia. Assuming the ship doesn't get everyone fully out until 9 and then another 1hr 30mins on the train to Rome...how long do you think the lineup into the Vatican will be around 11am - I assume November is not a very busy month?

hi, haliburton

so you've got a day in Rome. please consider not spending it in a queue to get into the vatican. it is not all that brilliant, and getting round it is murder. the sistine chapel is spoilt by all the tourists, and has very little atmosphere.

in a day,[actually less by the time you've got to the centre] you get a cab to the "centro storico", have a nice lunch, get a cab to the colosseum [via St. Peter's so you at least get to see it] and tour the colosseum and the forum before you go back to the boat.

or you could hire a guide for the day and do the above in style.

think very carefully before you waste your precious day in a queue at the vatican.

regards, ann