Naples
 

Naples seems to be a polarizing town. My wife and I will be traveling to Italy next month and we are deciding on what to do for our days in Naples. We arrive on the train from Rome at 10:30am. Do we have enough time to then quickly check in to the Excelsior, drop our bags, and catch the 12:40 ferry to Capri? We would then spend the rest of the day there and head back to Naples around 6pm.

The following day we are going to go to Pompeii via the Circumvisuviana, etc and spend most of the day there.

I also wanted to see the Archaeological Museum in Naples, but is that worth skipping in lieu of Capri? (Keep in mind that we have seen a lot of beautiful islands around the world -- Bali, Koh Samui, Hawaii, of course).

Thanks all for your advice.

Don't stay in Naples. The museum is a good idea but you'll enjoy Sorrento a lot better.
Consider Almalfi and Altrani down the coast. It's a bus ride away and the hotels and towns are quaint and pictoresque.

It's also nice to stay in Capri overnight (or longer) as it's nice in the evening.

I suppose that I should have mentioned that as our final destination, we are staying 4 nights at the Hotel Caruso in Ravello.

I think your plan to stay in Naples is correct, as a convenient base for day trips.
Rushing on the arrival day to Capri, though, seems a little of stretch, either for the 2 hours time from the airport to ferry and the little 4 hours on the islands.
Capri is a magic place, providing you stay well far from the crowd and tour groups, and the best way to do so is to overnight.
Once the last ferry to Naples departs, the place turns in a more quite, relaxing and enjoyable pace.
A late night stroll, through narrow streets and alleys, reveals a whole new unexpected charm.
Bear in mind that Capri is not a "beach" place, unlike Bali, Koh Samui etc.
I would categorize it more a see and be seen spot.

If what above is not an option, you will have the time from the port to climb up via the funicular to the Piazzetta (main little square), walking past the hotel Quisisana, heading left for the pleasant via Tragara, which leads to the terrace overlooking the Faraglioni, local landmarks.

A bite and a drink on the way back to the ferry, will seal your glimpse of Capri.

You should know that Sorrento is a cruise port, overrun by tourists, is a place to sell fake Italian souvenirs and trinkets, factory made gelato, and microwaved pizza to unsuspecting travelers. It has postcard views, but that's Italy. Where you should stay depends on the type of experience you want.

Pompeii is so cleaned up now...all of the...ahem...pornographic things have been removed to the archeological museum in Naples. The day we were there it was closed due to a one day strike. I'd make this place a top priority.

http://cir.campania.beniculturali.it...giconazionale/

And Herculaneum was actually more interesting to our group than Pompeii was.

Might be of someone's interest to know that the Pompeii site will be open during the Easter holidays.
Moreover, NAP now provides free wi-fi service.
As yet login seems still convoluted, but finally a step up:
http://www.portal.gesac.it/portal/pa...viziUtili/WiFi

Thanks - Have you heard any more about it being closed on May 1st, Labor Day?

Closed.
Ticketone marks it red.

Thanks everyone for your info. It likely has been covered elsewhere, but can anyone a) weigh in on the need for a guide at Pompeii and, if so, b) recommend one? Or are we better off finding one as we arrive in Pompeii (I would think not, but am not positive).
Thank you.

No direct experience with guide. I would show up and pay for an official guide, or join a tour.