Help with Rome Visit

I would highly recommend getting a good guidebook, including Rick's Rome guidebook. Also read through the Rome pages in the Explore Europe section of this website: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/rome

Rome certainly has enough sites to keep a visitor busy for at least a week, so give it as many days as you can. At least 3. Realize that your arrival day will have reduced touring time, and you will be operating under the effects of jet lag. I also wouldn't recommend a hop on hop off bus on arrival day. It is rarely an efficient means of transportation. And on arrival day, if attempting to use it as an orientation tour you may find it just lulls you into a nap. Book your entry tickets for sites like the Colosseum, Forum, and Vatican in advance on their official websites.

While Rome is an ancient city, not many of its hotels are relics. You will find plenty that have elevators. (Most also boast modern plumbing and electricity ;-) ). Check accommodation options on booking.com. You can use the filters for price, location, and desired amenities. Make the actual booking on the hotel's official website.

Welcome
What to see and do in Rome-At a Glance
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/rome

Give Rome as many days as you can
Vatican and St Peters Basilica on one day
Colosseum on another

Always book on the official sites-you will need timed entries to Vatican,Colosseum, Borghese
St Peter’s also offers timed entry now
If you are not sure about official sites-ask here before booking

Use the search function here on forum for tour, hotel recommendations
Filter by Type and Date

Plenty of hotels in Rome have elevators
We like staying right in historic center near Pantheon/Piazza Navonna/Campo de’Fiori
You can walk most everywhere from there
Hotel Smeraldo is a forum favorite
Booking.com is a good place to begin your search-use the filters for location , budget, amenities

Hop on/off bus not beneficial in Rome as most sites are in pedestrianized areas-Rome is very walkable and really best seen on foot

Get the RS Rome guidebook

Do not miss -
The Colosseum
The Forum
The Vatican w/St. Peters
The Pantheon
San Clemente (our Fav) and so underrated- it is an old church built on 4 different centuries - 1st Century, 4th Century, etc - very close to the Colosseum

I'd hire a private guide as you'll see things quicker/the highlights, you won't be as overwhelmed, they know how to walk you everywhere quickly and get you thru the lines, & they teach you SO SO much. Plus - they help you get authentic tickets!!

The RS Rome pocket guide book has guide suggestions - we used Sonia Tavoletta for all those above sites for 2 days -- [email protected]
She was fantastic. She can also help with hotel recommendations.

How exciting for you, first cruise and first visit to Rome. A little bit more information will help with suggestions.

When is your trip? Three days barely touches the amazing sights. This helps with all the tour timing plans. You can't wait until the last minute to see some of the venues, like the Vatican and Borghese Gallery.

Roman is a very walkable city. But are you mobile and can maneuver on cobblestones and stairs? An acquaintance with mobility issues took taxis whenever she and her friend got tired. Use Booking.com to research hotels but book direct.

What are your interests? Besides the CoIosseum, add the Roman Forum to your tour. I was underwhelmed at Trevi Fountain, so crowded I could only see it from a distance. But I loved the historical layers of Basilica of San Clemente and the fountains in Piazza Navona are just as nice as fountains go. Don't forget the Pantheon.

As others have suggested, use the RS Rome guide book to help plan your days. Ask questions to clarify the information.
Buon Viaggio!

We mostly walk in Rome. A few times we've used the metro or a bus. I don't think the on/off bus would be worth it. Highly recommend getting a Rick Steves Rome guidebook. Perhaps, the Best of Rome in 7 days would be the best choice. The guidebook will have self guided walking tours, restaurant and hotel suggestions, information on getting around and suggested tour guides.

My first visit to Rome was 11 days, and I ran out of days before I ran out of things to see.

I know it's hard, but try to think of this as your preview to a future trip to Rome. Use it to familiarize yourself with the city and enjoy its ambience. Wander neighborhoods, duck into churches, eat great food. Rome is one big museum. Take your time to appreciate it.

There are no "must-sees" for this trip. Of course you can decide if there are any sights you really want to visit in your limited time, but don't try to cram a lot of tours and timed entries and rushing from place to place into your 2 or 3 days.

Rome will still be there when you have a week or two to immerse yourselves.

All the advice you have received so far is very good. Don’t try to overdo it. When I first visited Rome, as a college student many years ago, I didn’t love it. It rained, I didn’t have much money, it seemed very chaotic, I got a stomach bug. But it grew on me and now it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. Two tips, first, the Colosseum is actually more impressive from the outside than inside. With limited time, I would not bother with the hassle of getting a ticket to go in, just view the outside and spend your time on other things in that area such as San Clemente church and the Forum. Second, you will confuse people by referring to “the cathedral”, presumably you mean St. Peter’s basilica, but that technically is not a cathedral (which means the formal seat of a bishop), as Rome’s cathedral is a different church.