Strange, strange question regarding friend who wishes to disembark in Russia...

[bride and groom]

Ok, here's the thing - we're going to book a Baltics/Russia cruise in July 2008. Right now, we're down to either Celebrity Constellation or Cunard Queen Victoria. We were talking with some friends who need to be in Russia during the time of our cruise and are considering booking part of the cruise. Can this even be done (a partial cruise)? They would need to disembark in St. Petersburg Russia. Any thoughts? Recommendations?

 

Thanks

[ocngypz]

That question needs to be addressed by the cruiseline. Considering they are picking a most diffcult port to start with, I wouldn't be surprised if they were denied.

 

Naturally, they should apply for the Russian Visas as soon as possible.

 

They would have to pay for the cruise in it's entirety.

[Flick]

I would seriously doubt it. They would need, at the least, an authorizing letter from the Russian Gov't. approving their disembarkation and a copy of this letter would have to be given to the authorities in whatever port you depart from for the cruise. Unlike ferries, cruises are round trips. It is problematical that this paper work could eve be arranged this year.

[Blazerboy]

Ignoring the difficulty of the particular port, yes, it is possible to arrange to disembark before the end of the cruise, and the line simply asks you to sign a form declaring that you voluntarily are abandoning the cruise, and, yes, there is no refund!;) This has been done in the States, but one port after customs, and on a Transatlantic, with passengers disembarking in Le Harvre rather than Dover.

 

But the particular port may present insurmountable problems, and, yes, call the cruise line first. If you are Captain's Club, I'd start with them, as regular CS might "be out of their depth" on that question. The next step would be to see about visas. Good luck to them...they might also find it not too much more expensive to try this in an "easier" country like Denmark or Poland and then travel by plane back to Russia.

 

Good luck with that:)

 

Andrew