St. Petersburg - Double overnight/three days

Hi - we are looking at a cruise for 2016 with a double overnight in St. Petersburg. Three full days (leaving that third day at 6pm). Debating on it. Most cruises we've seen have a single overnight. Opinions on a double overnight there? Too much or perfect amount of time?

Some people, mentioned here frequently, take the opportunity to go to Moscow on a tour with two nights/3 days in SPB.

The stop will certainly support a double overnight visit. As mentioned above, you could consider arranging for a tour to Moscow. But even if you just stay in the St. Petersburg area, there is ample to do. I was there for 2 full days and saw most of the major sites, but it was a non-stop paced tour and there were places where I could have easily spent more time. I would love to have 3 days there. You'll need to decide how you want to tour there (most on CC seem to use a private touring company -- I did). Or you can arrange to get a Russian Visa and do it on your own, but that requires a whole different level of preparation and travel savvy. If you arrange for a tour company, you should enquire with them to see how they can support a 3-day visit.

Hi Mickeysgal,

The stop will certainly support a double overnight visit. As mentioned above, you could consider arranging for a tour to Moscow. But even if you just stay in the St. Petersburg area, there is ample to do. I was there for 2 full days and saw most of the major sites, but it was a non-stop paced tour and there were places where I could have easily spent more time. I would love to have 3 days there. You'll need to decide how you want to tour there (most on CC seem to use a private touring company -- I did). Or you can arrange to get a Russian Visa and do it on your own, but that requires a whole different level of preparation and travel savvy. If you arrange for a tour company, you should enquire with them to see how they can support a 3-day visit.

Hope this helps

JB :)

OK, OK, so I plagiarised MeHeartCruising's reply. :rolleyes:

But when a reply is perfect ................... :D

We have had the same length of time and found it perfect.

There is lots to see and three days allows you to see many places or take your time.

For what it is worth we used Red October for private tours and they help design your experience.

Some people, mentioned here frequently, take the opportunity to go to Moscow on a tour with two nights/3 days in SPB.

YES, agree with above and the John Bull comments, etc. We did three days in charming, historic St. Petersburg in 2008, including a one-day trip to Moscow and back. See more below.

One of the real, key questions . . . ship tours . . . versus . . . private group tour . . . versus . . . smaller, really private tour fitting just your priorities/needs/schedule. There's a big difference!! Not all private tours are the same. Many skip ship tours as over-priced and/or too large/slow.

Much depends on what type, size and style of "private tour" you want and/or have. Some of the companies in St. Petersburg put you in THEIR group of 10-25 people to follow THEIR schedule and plan. We had a group of just two couples, did an early admission to the Hermitage, did things at OUR pace and style, focused on OUR interests, schedule, etc.

Our guide was not shouting out a memorized script to us as we were force-marched through a large building. We had a "conversation" as we toured through, soaked up the beauty and history, got our questions answered, etc. It was super wonderful!!! Even for late July, things were not too crowded for us in the Hermitage as people spread out in such a large collection of buildings. Below are a few of my photo samples to give an idea on the variety and sights there.

This museum is really amazing even without the art item. It is so totally spectacular to see and explore. It is five different buildings. Don't miss the gift shop as you exit. You can find some decent quality items at fairly reasonable prices there.

KEY HERMITAGE BACKGROUND: YES, the Hermitage is enormous, like their vast empire. The Tzar ruled this space of 1057 rooms, 117 stairs and 1945 windows. The number of sculptures on the roof of the Winter Palace is 176, including its many vases. This main palace was built by more than 4000 builders, marble and sculpture specialists, parquet makers and artists. The palace was built in the period from 1754 to 1762. At that time it was the tallest dwelling house in St Petersburg. The Winter Palace was repainted several times in different colors. It was red, pink, and a few other colors. It acquired its green color in 1946. The Winter Palace was made to represent the power and glory of the Russian Empire, especially to impress those in western Europe. *The length of the main facade is 492 feet, the height is 98 feet.

We could have done more there at the Hermitage, but our timing and sampling was wonderful. Lots of great options in St. Petersburg, also.

MOSCOW??: Now, the high-speed train connection does make a big, big difference currently. We did the one-day Moscow trip in 2008 by the air connections. I'll offer the various pro/con factors for your consideration. My wife thought it was lots of money, but she viewed it as very much worth it after completing the trip as a "once in a lifetime" experience.

CON FACTORS: It's a long day! Leave the ship early (greeted by a small welcoming band dockside); get back to the St. Petersburg airport around midnight and back to the ship a little before 1 am. Moscow is a super large city of over ten million people. There has been huge growth in the suburbs of this city during the past decades or so. Traffic and time from the airport to the main downtown takes about an hour, but the train takes your directly into the heart of this large city. Since we had to drive in from the airport, we had a good feel as we traveled into town through the coach windows about the “new Moscow” with its suburban growth, commerce, advertising, capitalism, big box stores, etc.

PRO FACTORS: Moscow has its unique history, sights and sites, from Ivan the Terrible up through Lenin, Stalin and the new Russian leaders of today. After a long ride in from the airport on the outer edge of this large metro areas of 17.3 million (with 10.5 million in the city), we stopped at a new hotel for coffee/tea/break. Then, we rode the Moscow subway and saw a couple of their very unique and artistic stations. Stalin at the time called these stations “People’s Palaces”. This Moscow Metro was first opened in 1935 and now has 182 stations, 12 different lines,187 miles of routes and carries seven million passengers each weekday. It’s the world second busiest subway system. This subway ride offered a good sampling of real life for people who live and work in Moscow. We then saw more key places enroute, including the home of the Bolshoi Ballet, KGB Headquarters, various Stalin-era buildings, etc. Then we went to the Kremlin with its 19 historic towers. WOW, we were really there!

Inside the Kremlin are three key “super stars”. First, was the State Armoury with its spectacular Faberge Eggs, plus so many carriages, crowns, gowns, jewels, etc. Second are the various historic Cathedrals within the Kremlin Walls, plus the Tower Bells, Icon art, etc. This includes the Cathedral of the Annunciation built in the 1480’s and having such spectacular wall murals and icons. Third, was the Great Kremlin Palace with its spectacular reception halls, inlaid wood floors, gold and more gold, fancy ceilings, etc. The Czars were crowned here, plus the current heads of the Russian government, etc. The size and scale of these areas are hard to describe in words, let alone reflect and capture the history that has happened in some of these rooms dating back to the late 1400’s. We have seen lots of great palaces all over Europe, but this is something above and beyond for the eyes, heart and brain.

Then, we saw more building inside the walls of the Kremlin. We went outside of the Kremlin Walls and walked next door to adjoining Red Square, seeing St. Basil’s and the re-done Gum Department Store. Red Square is so historic, especially having grown up seeing the military May Day parades there, visuals of Lenin’s Tomb, etc. Have the words “spectacular” and historic been used too much? Maybe, but it fits for many of these unique places. St. Basil’s was built 1555–1561 on the order of Ivan IV (the Terrible). It was the tallest building in Moscow until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower (266 feet tall) in 1600 inside the Kremlin Walls. To be able to “CONTRAST” and compare Moscow and St. Petersburg during these three short days adds to the benefits of seeing both of these great Russian capital cities. Each is a very different and special city.

We finished with dinner in the Central Writers’ Club, a one hundred years old mansion made into a restaurant with crystal chandeliers, rich wood panelling, fireplaces, and antique balustrades.

Is one day in Moscow too short and limited? YES! You can, however, do and see lots in only that one short day. How often do you get to Russia? The Cold War might not come back in full force, but there are going to be increasing and revisited tensions in future years involving Russia and getting access there. They have done this tour many times and have its details down well and timing perfected. Let me know any questions, thoughts or reactions.

Below are a few visuals for what is to see and do in Moscow. Hope that I have given you information over-load.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 167,458 views. Appreciate the interest and follow-up questions/comments!!

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Walking on the famed Red Square of Moscow. This square separates the Kremlin, as the former royal citadel and the current official residence for Russia's President, from a historic merchant quarter. Red Square is often considered the central square of Moscow and all of Russia, because Moscow's major streets originate from here. The name Red Square comes neither from the color of the bricks nor from the link between the color red and communism. The name came about because of a Russian word that can mean either "red" or "beautiful". This word, per Wikipedia, has the meaning "beautiful", was originally applied to Saint Basil's Cathedral. Then, later, the meaning was transferred to the nearby square. It is believed that the square acquired its current name in the 17th century. Red Square was the leading stage and trade center for Moscow. Ivan the Great decreed that trade should only be conducted from person to person, but later these rules were relaxed and permanent market buildings began appearing on the square. After a fire in 1547, Ivan the Terrible reorganized the lines of wooden shops on the Eastern side into market lines and part of that transitioned into what is now GUM department store that adjoins this famed square.:

This is the interior for Moscow's most historic church, Assumption Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Dormition, inside the Kremlin walls. It is the mother church of Muscovite Russia. The church stands on Cathedral Square and was built in 1475–1479 by the Italian architect Aristotele Fioravanti. It was erected on the spot of an older 14th century cathedral of the same name:

The famed KGB (Secret Police) Headquarters in Moscow where many entered and did not exit (alive) during the 1950’s and 1960’s:

Here is a small sampling of the Kremlin Royal Treasures of the Czars: Eggs & Jewels inside the famed State Armoury in Moscow. One of the oldest museums in Moscow, it was established in 1808 and located within the Kremlin Walls. It originated as the royal arsenal in 1508 during when it was in charge of producing, purchasing and storing weapons, jewelry and various household articles of the Tsars. There are ten Fabergé eggs in the Armoury collection (all Imperial eggs). This is the most Imperial eggs, and the second-most overall Fabergé eggs, owned by a single owner. The Trans-Siberian Railway Egg is a jeweled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé in 1900 for Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. It was presented by Nicolas II as an Easter gift to his wife. The exterior of the 1900 Trans-Siberian Railway egg is made of onyx, silver, gold, and quartz, and is decorated with colored vitreous enamel. The lid of the egg is hinged, has an overlay of green enamel, and is decorated with inlaid leaves of acanthus. On top of the lid is a golden three-headed eagle in gold with the Imperial Crown. The interior is lined with velvet. A route map of the Trans-Siberian Railway is engraved in silver across the face, with major stations marked by a precious stone, forming a belt around the egg. The egg is supported by three griffins made of gold-plated silver on a stepped triangular base of white onyx.:

St. Basil's sits on Red Square and dates back to its 1555-61 construction on the orders of Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV). It commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan and marks the geometric center of the city. This location has been the hub of its growth for Moscow since the 14th century. It was the tallest building in Moscow until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600. This church was near destroyed in the 1930’s when Stalin was in control.:

The stop will certainly support a double overnight visit. As mentioned above, you could consider arranging for a tour to Moscow. But even if you just stay in the St. Petersburg area, there is ample to do. I was there for 2 full days and saw most of the major sites, but it was a non-stop paced tour and there were places where I could have easily spent more time. I would love to have 3 days there. You'll need to decide how you want to tour there (most on CC seem to use a private touring company -- I did). Or you can arrange to get a Russian Visa and do it on your own, but that requires a whole different level of preparation and travel savvy. If you arrange for a tour company, you should enquire with them to see how they can support a 3-day visit.

Please bear with me as I'm in the very early planning stages of this itinerary. I know I will be researching the heck out of this here on cruise critic and trip advisor. I'm unclear on Visa requirements. Can someone give me the nickle synopsis of Visa's? If I go with the ship's tour, I don't need to arrange for a Visa myself? If I go with an independent tour company (outside the ship tour's tours like we usually do), do "I" need to arrange for a Visa?

Please bear with me as I'm in the very early planning stages of this itinerary. If I go with an independent tour company (outside the ship tour's tours like we usually do), do "I" need to arrange for a Visa?

Appreciate your follow-up. There are no "dumb" questions, only for those you don't ask. Yes, it's best to follow-up, ask, be certain.

No need for a Russian Visa if you are doing a tour on a cruise for three days of less during the Russian stop with a licensed operator there, whether through the ship or one of the independent firms.

Does this help clarify? What's next? Keep 'em coming!!

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. We are now at 191,364 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Please bear with me as I'm in the very early planning stages of this itinerary. I know I will be researching the heck out of this here on cruise critic and trip advisor. I'm unclear on Visa requirements. Can someone give me the nickle synopsis of Visa's? If I go with the ship's tour, I don't need to arrange for a Visa myself? If I go with an independent tour company (outside the ship tour's tours like we usually do), do "I" need to arrange for a Visa?

St. Petersburg:

You don't need a visa is you are booked on a tour through your cruise ship and you don't need a visa if you are booked with an independent tour company. You ship simply contracts with a local company to provide the visa waiver (tour ticket) and an independent tour company will provide you with the visa waiver (tour ticket). Same thing. :)

You only need a visa if you intend on disembarking and sightseeing on your own.

St. Petersburg Cruise Passengers

• Cruise ship passengers do not need a Russian visa if the stop in the port of call does not exceed 72 hours and if the tourists stay overnight on board.

• Cruise passengers may disembark from the ship without a tourist visa only for tours organized by cruise or other authorized tourist companies (many are mentioned on these boards) whose responsibilty it is to inform Russian immigration services 72 hours before passengers’ arrival.

• Passengers will not be permitted ashore if they present an invalid passport (even for pre-arranged tour).

• Passengers who do not take part in organized tours to disembark will need to obtain a Russian tourist visa that cannot be granted once in Russia. Russian visas are issued only in the country of residence before departure.

OK, OK, so I plagiarised MeHeartCruising's reply. :rolleyes:

But when a reply is perfect ................... :D

Yay! I finally scored a "perfect" reply. Thanks JB!

We had three days in St Petersburg when we did a Baltic Cruise with Oceania's Nautica last September. Three days was easy to fill! We had been there before, but there were some places we were happy to return to (such as Peterhof, Catherine's Palace, Hermitage) and other sights which we were able to see for the first time (Yusupov Palace, farmers' market, Russian Museum, inside the Church on Spilled Blood).

We did a 3 day tour with TJ, and it was excellent. We enjoyed St Petersburg more on this, our second visit to the city, because of the tour company and guide. You can see on their website what they include in their standard tours, or you can customise if you want a private tour. I believe all of the well known St Petersburg tour companies will deliver a good product - there is strong competition for cruise passenger trade. I had a good email conversation with TJ about our arrangements before we travelled.

If you organise a tour with one of the St Petersburg tour companies, then they will send you (via email) a ticket which states the details of your tour, and you just show this with your passport each day when you get off the ship, as it acts in lieu of a visa.

Many people who have three days in St Petersburg do Moscow on the day in the middle, and this is perfectly feasible if you think you may not get any other opportunity to see Moscow. It is a very long day. We did not do this - choosing to stay in St Petersburg, where there was plenty to see. We had been to Moscow before, as well as St Petersburg, and we felt that you could not do justice to Moscow in just one day. We actually enjoyed Moscow much more than St Petersburg on our first visit to Russia. But our second visit to St Petersburg was great!

We had three days in St Petersburg when we did a Baltic Cruise with Oceania's Nautica last September. Three days was easy to fill! We had been there before, but there were some places we were happy to return to (such as Peterhof, Catherine's Palace, Hermitage) and other sights which we were able to see for the first time (Yusupov Palace, farmers' market, Russian Museum, inside the Church on Spilled Blood).

 

We did a 3 day tour with TJ, and it was excellent. We enjoyed St Petersburg more on this, our second visit to the city, because of the tour company and guide. You can see on their website what they include in their standard tours, or you can customise if you want a private tour. I believe all of the well known St Petersburg tour companies will deliver a good product - there is strong competition for cruise passenger trade. I had a good email conversation with TJ about our arrangements before we travelled.

 

If you organise a tour with one of the St Petersburg tour companies, then they will send you (via email) a ticket which states the details of your tour, and you just show this with your passport each day when you get off the ship, as it acts in lieu of a visa.

 

Many people who have three days in St Petersburg do Moscow on the day in the middle, and this is perfectly feasible if you think you may not get any other opportunity to see Moscow. It is a very long day. We did not do this - choosing to stay in St Petersburg, where there was plenty to see. We had been to Moscow before, as well as St Petersburg, and we felt that you could not do justice to Moscow in just one day. We actually enjoyed Moscow much more than St Petersburg on our first visit to Russia. But our second visit to St Petersburg was great!

TJ....is this a person or a company? Can someone send me a link ro tell me the website?

Moscow...wow - we would love that. Do they guarantee we would make it back in a day?

TJ Travel is the company which operates the shore excursions in St Petersburg, and they also do tours in other Baltic ports, so you can arrange a package with them for multiple stops. We only used them for St Petersburg, as we DIYed in the other ports. They will get you to and from Moscow in the day, but it is a long day, so it needs to be on the middle day of a three day stop, I think.

website:

http://st-petersburg-tours.ru/

http://st-petersburg-tours.ru/what-we-offer/

specifically St Petersburg ready made:

http://st-petersburg-tours.ru/ready-made-tours/

There is a bit about Moscow tours on their website, but I couldn't find a detailed itinerary for Moscow included in a St Petersburg visit.

Email them for more info - they are prompt to reply and very helpful, in my experience. You can customise your requirements if necessary.

We used TJ Travel and had an amazing VIP private two day adventure...We saw and did more in those two days than we ever thought possible. Tatiana & Julia have a wonderful group of guides and driver's that work for them ...ENJOY !!!

TJ Travel is the company which operates the shore excursions in St Petersburg, and they also do tours in other Baltic ports, so you can arrange a package with them for multiple stops. We only used them for St Petersburg, as we DIYed in the other ports. They will get you to and from Moscow in the day, but it is a long day, so it needs to be on the middle day of a three day stop, I think.

 

website:

http://st-petersburg-tours.ru/

http://st-petersburg-tours.ru/what-we-offer/

specifically St Petersburg ready made:

http://st-petersburg-tours.ru/ready-made-tours/

 

There is a bit about Moscow tours on their website, but I couldn't find a detailed itinerary for Moscow included in a St Petersburg visit.

Email them for more info - they are prompt to reply and very helpful, in my experience. You can customise your requirements if necessary.

We used TJ Travel and had an amazing VIP private two day adventure...We saw and did more in those two days than we ever thought possible. Tatiana & Julia have a wonderful group of guides and driver's that work for them ...ENJOY !!!

Thank you! This helps us a lot.