sights in rome

Six hours is plenty to see the colosseum and the spanish steps. What else were you interested in seeing? Theres so much in Rome to see that you need to tell us what your interests are in order to get the best answers.

I would see the Pantheon and piazza navona as those are 2 of my favorite areas.

Donna

If you walk from the Colosseum to the Steps you can walk by the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain on your way. You can also stop in some beautiful churches and see some wonderful sights outside - obelisks etc. There are also opportunities for shopping in pedestrian areas between Pantheon and Trevi and along the Corso on your way.

Where are you staying?

This is a situation where the hop on/off bus might be useful. We gave taken four cruises out of Civit... so we know the ground well. I would pick a hotel very near Termini -- Aberdeen, Sonya, Contilla. The tickets and starting point for all the buses are on the north side of the plaza in front of Termini. Tickets are good for 24 hours. Get a top seat (assuming it is not raining), you will need the sun, and ride the loop for a general orientation of Rome and decide what you want to see. On the second loop hit the Colosseum -- about two hours, from there you could stroll through the forum (ticket now required) to the Pantheon (about a mile or so) to Trevi Foundation (1/2 mile) and finally to the Spanish steps - a mile or so -- you need the exercise and sun to fight jet lag. Spanish steps are at most a 30 second view and maybe five minutes if you really stretch it out. You are with in a mile of Termini and your hotel, walk, taxi, or the bus. Next AM use the bus ticket to get you to the Vatican and back. Save the Vatican museum for next trip but tour St. Peters.

Head back to hotel around noon, catch the train to Civit around 12:30, 1 PM -- about hour run to the port, with about three or four trains an hour so you don't have worry about the schedule. Consider buying your ticket the day before when you passed through Termini from the airport. Check in for your ship around 3 PM assuming a departure time of 5 PM. If a later departure you can push back the time line.

It is very easy to do assuming you have a reasonable amount of luggage. You will be exhausted but the ship has great beds.

6 hours is plenty to see those two sights. You didn't say your flight arrival time, but be sure to plan for jet lag, if that affects you. You don't want to sleep through any of your 6 hours! As for other sights, I agree, your more specific interests will help determine what else to recommend. However, the Pantheon is one of my favorite churches in Europe, as is St. Peter's. The line for the latter likely precludes you from seeing that church (unfortunate), but the square is still magnificent. The Trevi fountain is great (better at night, but still good), many of the piazzas are great (Navona stands out, great Bernini sculptures there). The forum is right near the colosseum (they share a ticket). In fact, if you plan on entering the colosseum, (may or not be worth it. It's not the best arena, but it IS the Colosseum) buy your tickets in the palatine hill to save the line at the colliseum. Whatever you do, make sure that you take some time for Gelato, quite possibly Italy's best attraction!

I would skip the Spanish Steps. See the Pantheon and/or the Trevi Fountain instead. The Spanish Steps are noisy and crowded and not worth the trip if that is all the time you have.

Another vote for skipping the Spanish Steps in favor of the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Make sure and visit SM Sopra Minerva right next to the Pantheon. It is a lovely church, the only Gothic church in Roma. There are also a couple of amazing gelato places right down the street from the Pantheon!

I also vote against the Spanish Steps. Too little time, too many better things to see.