Scandinavia/Russia on Apex 2022

[alcpa1]

Having been to SPB via land and sea I always recommend cruisers opt for three days if possible.

You will miss more than you will see in two days especially if it is a once in a lifetime trip.

The smaller ships dock along the Nevsky within sight of The Hermitage which also means you will have less time on the bus/van and more time at Peterhof or Catherine's Palace.

We did Azamara but you should also check out Oceania, Regent, Viking, or any of the premium or luxury cruise lines. They may be about the same price or higher but three days along the Nevsky is optimum.

[JeanieC,Aston]

I have a Baltic cruise booked in August from Amsterdam on Reflection.

This will be my 3rd Baltic cruise if it sails.

 

I don’t see any great benefit being docked up the Neva River,,it’s not as if you can get off the ship and walk around the city on your own.Unless you buy your own Visa.

 

Travel companies like Alla Tours (great) have priority entrance into the Hermitrage,,usually in by 09:00.

 

Have docked in both ports in Stockholm,,,the easiest way I found to get into the city from Nyshamemem is to jump on the HoHo bus,,,they are lined up outside the terminal.

[keesar]

22 hours ago, tfred said:

This is a 12 night cruise with a May 26 2022 start from AMS.  a few questions

 

• anyone done anything like this on Celebrity?  The ports seem appropriate for a large ship and nothing seems to be gained by going smaller (eg Viking Ocean)
• We normally do a veranda or AQ is the price difference isn't too big - we like AQ.  That said, the Sky Suite seems to intrigue me.  Veranda is $3500pp.  AQ is $4600.  Sky is $6800.  We aren't going here again anytime soon.  Is the Sky (and Retreat) worth it?  The outdoor area looks great but if its too cold then that may be a problem
• I don't see any real rush to make these reservations now.  Prices seem to be "list" and other than AI no incentives offered.  Lower cost airfare but I don't need that right now.  

 

 

 

 

My concern with the cruise in question is the amount of time you will have to explore St. Petersburg.  Leaving at 1 pm on the second day would seriously cut into what you could see on the second day.  You really need 2 full days  of time if seeing the  major attractions  is important for you.   

[tfred]

22 minutes ago, keesar said:

 

My concern with the cruise in question is the amount of time you will have to explore St. Petersburg.  Leaving at 1 pm on the second day would seriously cut into what you could see on the second day.  You really need 2 full days  of time if seeing the  major attractions  is important for you.   

you and a few others have mentioned this and we aren't going back - other vacations are on the bucket list.  Rethinking that cruise for something later in the summer that allows 2 full days in SPB.

[dani negreanu]

10 hours ago, alcpa1 said:

Having been to SPB via land and sea I always recommend cruisers opt for three days if possible.

You will miss more than you will see in two days especially if it is a once in a lifetime trip.

The smaller ships dock along the Nevsky within sight of The Hermitage which also means you will have less time on the bus/van and more time at Peterhof or Catherine's Palace.

We did Azamara but you should also check out Oceania, Regent, Viking, or any of the premium or luxury cruise lines. They may be about the same price or higher but three days along the Nevsky is optimum.

 

1 hour ago, tfred said:

you and a few others have mentioned this and we aren't going back - other vacations are on the bucket list.  Rethinking that cruise for something later in the summer that allows 2 full days in SPB.

 

Having been 5 full days in St. P (2 full days at the Hermitage, 1 full day at Peterhof, 1 full day at the Russian Art Museum), and all in between (churches, canals) -- I'd strongly recommend a smaller ship with 3 full days at St.P.

 

One of the reasons we didn't take a cruise to St. P -- limited time to visit such an amazing city (and limited budget for luxury lines 😉)

[trivia addict]

Among other reasons, a consideration for a private tour in SPB is first, you will not have to wait in lines at the attractions, , and second, tickets for the sites you want to see will either  be bought ahead of time for you or the guide will go through the hassle of getting them for you. Much time will be saved altogether.

[tfred]

1 hour ago, trivia addict said:

Among other reasons, a consideration for a private tour in SPB is first, you will not have to wait in lines at the attractions, , and second, tickets for the sites you want to see will either  be bought ahead of time for you or the guide will go through the hassle of getting them for you. Much time will be saved altogether.

suggestions for tour operators?

[markeb]

3 hours ago, tfred said:

suggestions for tour operators?

 

Check out the Ports of Call board for Europe.

 

There's a pretty good tread here.

[alcpa1]

We used SPB Tours on our cruise visit to St. Petersburg. There are probably 4 or 5 other tour guides prominent in the Ports of Call forum. Viktoria of SPB has a staff of well regarded guides and was wonderful to work with as one in our group was in a wheelchair. She also worked with me to provide a well rounded tour for the others as I had already been to the city for a week and didn't want to skip major sites for our group but also didn't want to spend time in sites I had seen but might not have interested the others.

Also consider that SPB and others can package tours in several ports and offer a price break.

[upwarduk]

On 2/17/2021 at 3:01 PM, tfred said:

anyone done anything like this on Celebrity?  The ports seem appropriate for a large ship and nothing seems to be gained by going smaller (eg Viking Ocean)

Yes, we’ve done the Baltic x2 from Southampton, 2015 on Eclipse and 2018 on Silhouette. On July 1/2 2018, we were denied entry into St Petersburg, due to high winds, when the Captain couldn’t turn the ship in the narrow channel.

I later learnt that an Azamara ship had been allowed to dock closer to the city, because she was smaller.

Edited February 19, 2021 by upwarduk

[trivia addict]

We used Alla tours. Could not have been more pleased. I contacted them about 6 months before our trip. Together with our contact, we arranged an itinerary that included everything we wanted to see using our 2 days in port.

Had a knowledgeable guide, a new Mercedes van for transport, and while spending roughly what our friends did using the ship tours, we twice as much.

We were a group of two couples that split the fee.

[dabear]

We also used Alla tours and took their 2 day deluxe tour. Highly recommended.

[tfred]

when is "too early". to book this cruise?  Everything now is basically list price- I don't envision that the Sky Suite price would go down.  OBC is $800 for 2 pax.  I see some on line TA that are offering a $1200 Visa card .

 

is this generally as good as it gets?  Other options?

[Franobx]

On 2/17/2021 at 10:44 AM, SunnyTodayFL said:

I just put a deposit on the Celeb Silhouette’s 7/17/2021 Scandanavia & Russia trip from Southampton/London.   That one has an overnight in Copenhagen in addition to St.P.    If the trip is cancelled this summer, I figured I would flip to the one next year.   Also, I am thinking that the new “AI” program (booze+tips+some wifi) may be X’s new normal (making cruising ‘all inclusive’ does seem like a very good marketing strategy) but they sure gutted the value of my Elite status.  So - I will wait for better perks when things open up before putting down any more deposits. 

All ships seem to have an overnight in St. Petersburg. Unless things have changed, you have to be on an escorted tour or apply for a visa. Otherwise, you cannot get off the ship. 

[Torfamm]

On 2/18/2021 at 8:00 AM, keesar said:

 

My concern with the cruise in question is the amount of time you will have to explore St. Petersburg.  Leaving at 1 pm on the second day would seriously cut into what you could see on the second day.  You really need 2 full days  of time if seeing the  major attractions  is important for you.   

I agree. If you are interested in seeing St Petersburg this is not enough time. It depends on your priorities, but I would look for a cruise with 3 days there

[Globehoppers]

On 2/17/2021 at 12:55 PM, ECCruise said:

Yes, many times.  Have several more booked. Food very good.  Small ship feel, well travelled pax.  No big entertainment (no issue for us on port intensive sailings).

Would put their viability probably better than the majors since they are not overloaded in debt with Sycamore Partners as owner with deep pockets.  Plus, they just bought a 4th ship a week or so ago.

My best perspective for Azamara is that its "like coming home again."  Great ships and crews.

[Globehoppers]

Two days in St Pete is enough to get a taste of Russia.  We booked a 2-day shore excursion with SPB and it was fabulous.  Constant contact with the owner.  Easy through Russian immigration at the pier.  Sailed on Celebrity Connie - perfect size for this itinerary.  Weather can upset the schedule.  Tallinn was wonderful.  Our cruise included Rostock instead of the extra sea day and also Stockholm.