Vatican Visit in AM or PM?

That's a very ambitious schedule to "SEE" all the things you list. To "tour" all these areas would easily take more than the allotted time you have. Your primary challenge will be the transportation time. If you can get off the boat just after 7 AM, by train you will probably NOT arrive in Rome until 8:50 AM (at the earliest). Then to be back on the boat by 6 PM, you will have to leave Termini no later than the 16:39 Regional or 5 PM IC Plus train.... thus your time will be very limited.

If you just want to "drive by" the Colosseo, Forum, and Palatine... then yes, you could do this. But to spend any time there (and depth) - and then go to the Vatican - would be difficult to accomplish.

That said, you would be better served to immediately head to the Colosseo area... see what you can... then head to the Vatican for the later time slot. From the Vatican area you can catch a train from the San Pietro station back to the ship and save yourself a little time - rather than heading back to Termini. If you take this option though, you WILL NOT be able to ride the IC train at 5 PM, as it DOES NOT stop at San Pietro station. Only regional trains would stop bere and head on to Civitavecchia.

To get to the Sistine Chapel you must go through the Vatican Museums. Once you're in there, your time is really locked down as you have to walk through the Museums to the Chapel and than out - a more "fixed" time requirement... then just leaving from the Colosseo, Forum, etc.

I think the prudent thing would be to set your priorities and avoid dashing around Rome, rather see what you want to see at a more leisurely pace... and plan on coming back to this beautiful city. For more info on a day trip from Civitavecchia, CLICK HERE. For 20 tips on visiting the Vatican, CLICK HERE

From the Sistine Chapel, you can leave through a door marked for tour groups, and that will lead to the side of St. Peters, but inside the secure area. That way you can visit St Peters without waiting in the security line again. You end up near the entrance to the crypt.

I was just in Rome, and did all that, plus Ostia Antica, in two days. It was a lot to see but we hired a tour guide (Susan Simcox, who had been recommended on this wall) and an airconditioned van. It worked out great. I highly recommend both the guide, Susan Simcox, and the hiring of a car (she arranges that for you, and the total cost was not much more than other guides charged just for their time)

I suggest going to the Vatican as early as possible, to beat the heat and the crowds.

Also, the last entrance into the Vatican Museum, where the Sistine Chapel is, is at 4pm and it is packed then.

I'm sure that the Colloseum and Forum have later closing times.

The Vatican will be MOST crowded early in the morning. From 8:30 - 11:30 most tour groups are doing their thing and it will be packed - especially if you are coming on a Monday or Saturday. So unless you purchase "skip the line" tickets with your tour then you will spend valuable time waiting in line.

Usually a Vatican/Basilica tour (with tombs and cupola) takes at least 4 hours.... A Colosseo,Forum,Palatine Hill tour usually takes at least 3 hours... Adding in stopping for a bite to eat your schedule will get tight... I'd still recommend the Colosseo Combo first if you are coming in August/September because the heat in the afternoon in the Colosseo area will be intense - Not too much shade in the Forum!!

And while the boat departs at 7 PM, there is often a requirement you be on the boat by 6 PM... might want to check with your cruise ship. Good Luck!

Honestly, even though it might be possible to do all this with the help of a professional guide, I think that you'd be missing out on experiencing Rome itself and would be utterly exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of the day. I'd suggest scaling back a good bit, if you can make yourself. The Vatican Museum alone takes up an enormous amount of time. It's definitely not something you can rush. I think you could pull off the Coliseum, Forum and the hill without being too over-rushed ... I think. Anyway, whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

Line at the Vatican was WAY long in the morning but there was no line at 1:00 p.m.

St Peters opens at 7, if you want to see the church (vs only the museums). Depending on how close to 7 you can get their, I'd recommend it--that's when it's possible to experience the quiet.

Context Rome is a great walking tour company. You might check their website and see if you can book one of their guides for the day. I found that the most challenging part of Rome was finding my way and then getting from point A to point B in a reasonble amount of time. A guide might be able to help with that.

I would definately go to St. Peters for 7:00 am - or as soon as you can get there - it is very empty and peaceful in the early morning. The vatican museum is sooooo crowded - as soon as you were done at St. Peters I would head there and walk straight through to the Sistine Chapel - you won't have time to see it all.

I would then head to the Colosseum and the Forum - use the Rick Steve's audio guides for fairly quick tours. I would skip Palentine Hill - while it's included in your Forum admission - unless you have a tour it won't mean much and Rick doesn't have an audio guide for there. It was so hot and we were burnt out by then (and we had only done the Colosseum and the Forum that day).

I would make time to see the Trevi fountain and get gellato rather than see Palentine Hill.