Cruising in September Posted June 19, 2017 #1 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I am looking at arranging my own excursions in St Petersburg. I called Windstar to confirm that I would be able to obtain my passport when I leave the ship. I was told that they do not return passports unless I have obtained a Russian visa. All SPB group and private excursions companies provide this visa, I simply need to be able to get my passport as I'm leaving the ship. Does anyone have experience with this issue to advise me? I really don't want to take the Windstar excursions, as they don't cover enough sights. I feel like Windstar is trying to force me to take their excursions. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgwabd Posted June 19, 2017 #2 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Your passports will be delivered to your room the night before if you have a private tour visa or a ship tour visa. If you have a visa from the Russian consulate good luck on your own... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted June 19, 2017 #3 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Have friends who just came back. Tightly controlled security. Not a good place to go on your own according to them. Talked to people on our WS Croatia sail last fall who did St Petersburg with WS last year and said tours were great. Good luck. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovecruisingtoo Posted June 20, 2017 #4 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Couple of things you need to be aware of. First, even with a passport in hand, you can not depart the ship in Russia "on your own". You need to get a Visa - which takes time and is costly. If you want to take an arranged tour with a company not affiliated with WS, it is absolutely no problem. The tour company will probably have a "blanket visa" which allows them to take you off the ship and go on the tour - but will not allow you to just wander around unescorted. They will tell you exactly what you need. We did it a few years ago, and had no issues. The advantage of arranging your own group is that it is much cheaper and you can arrange where you want to visit. Arranged a group of about 10 people and it worked out great. If you do want to go "on your own" and get a Visa, make sure you use a good visa agency to help you get through the process. It will save you a lot of time and money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising in September Posted June 20, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Thank you all for responding. I am making arrangements with a private tour operator who will have a blanket visa for us. My concern was Windstar's statement to me that they wouldn't give me my passport unless I had received a visa beforehand. Sounds like that is more their policy than their on-board practice. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3kidslater Posted June 26, 2017 #6 Share Posted June 26, 2017 My husband and I did a private 2 day tour last August in St. Petersburg. (We used Alla Tours) We can't speak highly enough of our experience. It was just the 2 of us but they can and usually do small group tours. I do not recall needing my passport and as others have said, we were covered by Alla's Visa. It was truly a wonderful experience and we did see more than Windstar's excursions offered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alturia Posted June 26, 2017 #7 Share Posted June 26, 2017 We did this cruise last summer. When you exit the ship you have to go through Russian Immigration control. At that time you needed three pieces of information to get through Immigration: your passport, your room key card, and your tour documentation. To get back onto the ship you have again go through Russian Immigration and show the same three pieces of information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Walt Posted July 2, 2017 #8 Share Posted July 2, 2017 The visa process can be difficult so make sure that your tour company provides all the details at least a month before your cruise. For example you may be required to provide photos that meet very specific standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj cruisin Posted July 2, 2017 #9 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Was in St. Petersburg last August and did private tour with TJ Tours. Can't say enough good things about them. They handled the visa process and made it seamless. The 2 days we had with them were more than enough to see a lot of St. Petersburg. Going through Russian immigration at the dock is no joke. They screen you carefully when coming in. With the tour company you are not allowed to "just go on your own." One of the couples cruising with us were "active military" and were asked to a side room for additional questioning. The U.S. Consulate advised this couple not to get off the ship for the 2nd day in port in St. Petersburg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgwabd Posted July 4, 2017 #10 Share Posted July 4, 2017 And don't take pictures of the ships and submarines on the river of St. Petersburg. I too was sent to a room to talk with people and delete the pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cisterna Posted July 15, 2017 #11 Share Posted July 15, 2017 I am looking at arranging my own excursions in St Petersburg. I called Windstar to confirm that I would be able to obtain my passport when I leave the ship. I was told that they do not return passports unless I have obtained a Russian visa. All SPB group and private excursions companies provide this visa, I simply need to be able to get my passport as I'm leaving the ship. Does anyone have experience with this issue to advise me? I really don't want to take the Windstar excursions, as they don't cover enough sights. I feel like Windstar is trying to force me to take their excursions. Thank you! Alla Tours an TJ are great companies! Alla tours will match you with others to give you a group price if the dates and tours you want to take correspond. We had a fantastic roll call on C, C. and many of us used Alla Tours so we became a group. They take care of everything for you! Alla will give you documents wtih very specific instructions on where to meet, what to take with you , what to wear... YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PASSORT to go through Russian customs and to return through customs to re-board the ship ! And don't worry Windstar will give you back your passport when you show them you have a tour booked with a professional company. Alla and TJ's have licensing with the Russian Government so if touring with them you will not need a visa. They give all your personal information to the government for you. Alla 's pricing is a little lower than TJ's and their tours are identical. Alla's website is very easy to use and communication is fantastic - just remember the time change and give them 24-48 hours to respond! St. Petersburg 2 day tour is great! (and exhausting)! Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj cruisin Posted August 9, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Interesting, we took the TJ tour last August and also did a comparison of the two companies and found TJ to be slightly less than Alla. These sites are filled with shills. Are you sure you don't work for Alla ? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted August 9, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Interesting, we took the TJ tour last August and also did a comparison of the two companies and found TJ to be slightly less than Alla. These sites are filled with shills. Are you sure you don't work for Alla ? Sent from my iPhone using Forums I looked at Cisterna's other posts and looks legit to me. Easy to do when using mobile Tapatalk app. Just someone happy with their experience. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj cruisin Posted August 10, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 10, 2017 I would do your own research as I did last summer. Absolutely happy with our experience as well. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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