Vatican Museums Closed May 1

[lv2cruiseanywhere]

We are on the Ruby Princess April 19, 2010, T/A that arrives in Rome on May 1. I just learned that the Vatican Museums are closed May 1; does this include the Sistine Chapel? We were looking at the Princess Tours listed in the Mediterranean Passage brochure, but it doesn't mention the May 1st holiday.

 

Will there be lots of other things to see that day?

 

Thanks for your expertise.

[ab0si]

If the Museum is closed, then so is the Chapel.

 

Much will be closed in Italy on 1 May. they take Labour Day quite seriously.

[FritzG]

We were on this cruise last year, and yes, the Sistine Chapel was closed along with the Vatican Museum. For some reason some of the Princess tours do not make note of this. In fact, last year up until the week before sailing Princess was insisting that if the tour said we would see the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel we would be allowed in by special permission--I knew this was NOT true.

 

St. Peter's was open, and there was plenty to see in Rome despite the many closings.

 

We're taking the same cruise this year, and again, we're in Rome on May 1st. I was hoping they would change the port date, but no luck.

 

We have a large group on the Roll Call section with lots of info on the trip. Please join us.

[lv2cruiseanywhere]

Glad to hear you are taking the same cruise again. This will be our first Mediterranean Cruise so we were looking forward to visiting the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. We will still go ashore, but the Princess Shore Excursions brochure is showing the museums being available as you indicated in your message.

 

I have joined the roll-call but it's almost 100 pages so I must have missed many of the Rome messages.

 

Thanks again.

[Hlitner]

You need to be cognizant that nearly everything in Rome is closed on May 1 (their Labor Day). This is a huge holiday weekend in most of western Europe and will even have some impact on Friday (April 30) since many locals turn this into a 3 day holiday weekend. When we are in Europe on May 1 we try to go to the same places visited by many Italians...since they are open. Many will head to coastal resorts, Cinque Terre, and other places that are popular on holidays. Within Rome, the cafes will be open and, if its a nice day, there will be the typical crowds in the streets around popular places such as the Spanish Steps/Trevi Fountain area, Piazza Navona, etc.

 

Hank

[Dunmore2]

The Capuchin Crypt is open regular hours on May1. I emailed them to check.

[cruisemom42]

The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill should be open.

 

St. Peter's will be open (as will most churches).

 

You can always enjoy Rome's beautiful piazzas and fountains (including Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain), the Pantheon, and the Spanish steps.

[lv2cruiseanywhere]

Thank you for those suggestions. Now I am looking for a tour that will give us a nice over-view of Rome taking into consideration all of the areas that will be closed that day.

 

This will be our first visit.

[419annm]

Thank you for those suggestions. Now I am looking for a tour that will give us a nice over-view of Rome taking into consideration all of the areas that will be closed that day.

 

This will be our first visit.

Have you found a Rome tour yet? I have been corresponding with a private tour company highly recommended by many on Travel Advisor - English speaking driver/tour escort "able to answer questions and give the history of major sights." I did not know about the May 1 Labor Day holiday at the time I first contacted tour company, so I'm waiting for another email answering questions I had about how it would impact a tour. Private tour in minivan (2-8 people) - more passengers = less cost per person (price is for the vehicle). Includes pickup at ship around 8:30 am returning to ship between 5-6 pm. Tours are customizable - but like I stated, am waiting to hear what there would be to tour on Labor Day. Prices would be (for 4 people = 125€ ea; for 6 people = 91.67€ ea; for 8 people = 75€ each).

[419annm]

We are on the Ruby Princess April 19, 2010, T/A that arrives in Rome on May 1. I just learned that the Vatican Museums are closed May 1; does this include the Sistine Chapel? We were looking at the Princess Tours listed in the Mediterranean Passage brochure, but it doesn't mention the May 1st holiday.

 

Will there be lots of other things to see that day?

 

Thanks for your expertise.

Looking for tour mates: Have you found a Rome tour yet? I have information on one and need 2-4 more people. Tour company gave suggestions of what other things to see in Rome other than what is closed. Contact me for specifics.

msten767@gmail.com