Vatican, on day of cruise departure??

[Motorcycle Gma]

Would you do a 9am, skip the line on a Thursday, 8/31 just to see the Sistine Chapel and Basilica on our own? This is the only day we have, besides a Wednesday afternoon, which I hear is NOT good. My only other option would be on 9/12, but our train leaves at 2:50 from Termini to Venice.

 

I've read on here somewhere that if we do our own thing (Rick Steves guide), we could likely get thru there in 2 to 2 1/2 hours. I know that would be skipping much of the museums, etc. We just want to see the art/architecture.

 

Our ship departs Civet at 5pm on a Thursday. We are staying near colloseum, so store luggage, grab a cab, see what we can in that time, then return around Noon to our hotel. Then, we'd have to get a shared shuttle to Civet. around 1:00, allowing extra time for boarding.

 

Is this doable? This might be my only chance to see part of the Vatican. Thanks in advance for any help.

[euro cruiser]

The problem with trying to do this on your own is that only groups with guides are guaranteed to be able to go directly from the Sistine Chapel into the basilica. Everyone else is supposed to return to the entrance/exit of the museums, walk around outside and get in line for security at the basilica. Although folks have reported being able to slip past the guards I don't think you can count on this.

 

If you want to be sure to see the basilica without the extra time lost going all the way around the mulberry bush and waiting on line again, you'll need to book the Vatican tour.

 

Alternately, if you're willing to pay a lot more, you could do one of the early morning private tours, like this one: https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour

 

This would end in the basilica before noon, in plenty of time to head to the port.