organizing two days in Rome

Hi Lisa,
It sounds like you've got a good start on your planning. I have just a few thoughts -- assuming this is your first time in Rome?
You don't say whether the Colosseum tour is first on the agenda day two. Assuming it is, maybe you get a taxi across the river to Trastevere and have a nice leisurely lunch. Wander around over there and then make your way back towards your hotel. Book your visit to the Pantheon later in the day. It's open until 7pm: see if you can book a slot around 6 (https://www.pantheonroma.com/visit-the-pantheon/). Then freshen up and head out for dinner.

That leaves you with the morning of the third day. I think you have to choose between the Borghese (if you can get a ticket) and St. Peter's. You'll have to stand in line. It opens at 7am (7:30 for the dome). To me that sounds like a great way to start the day, but I really love early mornings when a city is just waking up. Have a good look around, go up to the very top for amazing morning views of the city, and then go for a late breakfast before you head to the ship.

I think you want to beware of over planning. Leave yourself lots of time to just wander around, to dip into shops and churches. I go on the theory that if the door is open, I pop to see what's there. It is such an amazing city. Assume you'll be back.

Have a wonderful trip.

Try and get to the Pantheon just before it opens, it is at the quietest then and you can spend a time enjoying the building. You need to purchase tickets now. It doesn’t take long to visit, an hour is probably sufficient.

At the Borghese you need to get tickets well in advance. You are only allowed two hours in the gallery and this is strictly enforced. Note the gallery is closed on Mondays. You might consider a twilight food tour of Trastevere and enjoy trying a variety of dishes spread over an evening . Eating Europe’s tour has been well recommended on the Forum.

Rome is a very walkable city and things are quite close together. Get a good map, there are some downloadable ones you can print off, and plot where you want to go and you will see what works for you and how you can manage getting between sites.

Have you checked online for opera and classical offerings? You don’t say when you will be in Rome so hard to make suggestions.

You mention heading to the port to get a cruise. It takes at least 1.5 hours by train from Rome and about another half hour to get to the port itself. When I took a cruise my ship left at 5.00 pm but my boarding time was 1.30….I had no time for anything but have breakfast, check out of hotel, gett taxi to train station, catch train and get to the port and ship itself. I think I was on board by 2.00 and was able to grab lunch at the buffet. My boat was near the entrance to the port, so was able to get on quickly but you might have to wait for the shuttle to take you to your ship if it is moored further in the port.

And as you walk in Rome, you will unexpectedly come across more antiquities, treasures. So even though you will have a plan, be prepared for surprises too!

hey hey lisa
when are you planning this trip and how many people?
like many other people, trying to cram so many things in short time. italy will be crowded anywhere with so many people traveling nowdays, there doesn't seem to be an off season anymore. long lines, crowded restaurants/shops/cafes. walk down a narrow alley away from touristy restaurants and find a mom & pop small place. we never made reservations since not knowing where or when we would be from just roaming around, others may feel different.
do you have transportation to cruise port? it is a little over an hour 15 minutes from rome, with many other cruisers will be doing the same thing getting there. where do shuttles and trains stop and how far to walk with luggage. years ago we took a cab E140 since had many issues with a protest with thousands of folks at piazza navona, roads were closed/blocked by local police, finding any transportation was tough but had to walk further out to main streets. some people missed the ship, it was ugly when our next stop was barcelona after day at sea, seeing people pulling luggage on board when we arrived. just be very careful on your time and have it reserved ahead of time.
you can also register fro free on cruisecritic.com, go to forums and find your ship. people will post lots of info there, share rides fpr costs,hire private tours at ports to share. just post it, we did a few, holding it to 6-8 people, adament about times to get back to ship before departure. never had any issues. many were willing to share, it was first come first serve to be on our tour.
have a great time and enjoy, give yourself time to breathe that italian air with a glass of wine/appetizers at an outdoor cafe.
aloha

On the next day, we have a three-hour tour of the Colosseum and
related sites (small group, gladiator entrance).We also want to see
the Borghese museum. And we intend to get to Vatican City to explore
St. Peter's and the Duomo. We have decided NOT to try to fight the
battle of the Vatican museum.

This is too much for one day. The Colosseum, St Peter's (which is technically the duomo) and the Borghese are all in different parts of the city. I'd do the Borghese + St Peter's as they're roughly in the same side of the city.

As usual I seem to be having trouble communicating! We have two days and three nights. In that time we would like to see the coliseum, borghese, St. Peter’s, pantheon, and travestere. I am asking in what order it makes sense to see these things, and which to group together. All together, I’m assuming half a day each for coliseum and borghese, an hour for pantheon, two hours for St. Peter’s. And an evening for travastere. Does that sound right? What’s the best way to organize time?

I would skip Roma completely if you only have 2 days.
We spent 6 days in 2022.