Beaglebuddy

My cruise on Symphony of the Seas has its Rome port day on June 29, a public holiday (ugh!). I read that the Vatican museums are closed, and that the coliseum is free admission (aka long lines so apparently I shouldn’t even bother). Anyone else been to Rome on a public holiday? Any places that are open that can still be visited??

Has anyone tried the private photo session from cruise planner (current around 230$)? It’s a one hour session and you can choose 5 photos from it for digital/print copies. It says the photo shoot can also be done at ports of call (subject to availability). I would love to have a one hour shoot at one of the ports on my upcoming Western Mediterranean cruise, has anyone booked this session and had them come out to the port of call city?

My sailing on SOTS had its Rome port day on Thursday June 29. They are still offering excursions to the Vatican but according to the Vatican website, they are closed that day for the feast of St. Peter and paul. Do cruise excursions still get to go inside ?? (Ie do we get special access? I don’t see why they would allow all of these excursions to still be purchased if not?)

Anyone else on this one ?