Moscow day trip? Advice, please!

Well, we came and went. I'm sorry to say, I felt a little underwhelmed. My expectations might have been too high and I think the timing was bad (I wasn`t aware that the Saturday we were there was two days before Russia`s V-Day celebrations). First of all, we were unable to go to the Red Square. When I signed up for the trip, I was advised that the area could be closed at any time without notice, so I knew the risk was there. This is not to say that I regret going. If I hadn't gone, I would've been wondering 'what if'. However, I certainly don`t feel a need to go back, and I would advise others considering this trip to look into whether any major holidays or celebrations are scheduled to take place around that time, as that will affect the number of people around and what you will be able to see.

Appreciate these follow-ups and added details from your visit to Moscow. Yes, things like the big "May Day" activities in Red Square made things more challenging. Glad you made this sharing here to help other doing their planning for future timing considerations. Too bad you missed Red Square. That was one of several key highlights for us.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 179,676 views for this posting.

From the London/UK Daily Mail today, they have this headline: “Moscow's moment: with the World Cup round the corner, Russia's capital is electric” with background as Moscow is currently preparing for the World Cup kicking off on June 14.

Here is are some of the story highlights: “For months, Moscow has been preparing to welcome visitors to the World Cup at a time when the British and Russian governments are barely speaking to each other. So if you like a touch of tension on your travels, then this is a great year to visit this enthralling city.”

Interesting aspects are covered about Russia, the upcoming World Cup, etc., in this profile. Brings back very nice and fun memories from 2008 when we super enjoyed both St. Petersburg and Moscow during our Baltics sailing. Also shared in this story: "As a design aesthetic, Moscow quite likes the Soviet look — retro chic that gives two fingers to the West. The immense Gum department store on Red Square cheerfully displays historic posters praising the nutritious beetroot. A speciality of the Soviet years, Russian salad has made a comeback in restaurants."

Full story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-5797827/Relations-fraught-World-Cup-round-corner-Russias-capital-electric.html

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting, dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 39,295 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

This particular thread is answering a lot of questions...thank you ! I wanted to ask for some specific things about our HAL cruise to St Petersburg, and the HAL Moscow in a Day trip.

A lot of folks talk about the tour starting early and arriving late.

--But what is early? 6 am, 8 am?

--I think the 3.5 hour train ride will be fine, if there are restrooms on board?

--Once we arrive in Moscow, I know there will be a lot of walking around. But are there breaks to just sit down and rest? And what about public bathrooms while we're out and about?

--HAL's site says "Large backpacks and bags are not allowed inside Armory" What about a very standard backpack? I don't consider mine "large" at all, but I don't know what Russian guards will think.

--Any visa issues to concern about, or HAL takes care of all this?

Just saw on TripAdvisor that HAL uses third party tour companies to run this tour. Does anyone remember who it was that runs the Day Trip from St. Pete to Moscow?

Just saw on TripAdvisor that HAL uses third party tour companies to run this tour. Does anyone remember who it was that runs the Day Trip from St. Pete to Moscow?

YES, most all cruise lines in every port around the world uses local vendors or companies for these tours. Don't know who HAL uses, but it could and/or might vary from time-to-time, etc. Not sure the local vendor company would matter that much. Each cruise line, especially on a costly and complicated day-trip as this one will staff along and making sure that things run as smoothly as possible.

For your question of "A lot of folks talk about the tour starting early and arriving late. But what is early? 6 am, 8 am?" As we did not do this Moscow trip through HAL, I do not know their exact schedule and details.

But, YES, it will be long day, starting early and returning late that evening. Based on our experiences, it was BOTH challenging and highly stimulating!!! Definitely worth it if you really love history, culture, architecture, etc.

Yes, I am sure the trains have restrooms on board. There will be walking around, but most tour staffs are very good in realizing that many in the group need some breaks, flexibility, public bathrooms, etc. No problems for the visas. They have done these Moscow day-trips for many years and can/do prepare/adjust accordingly.

Added questions and info needs?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Finished June 2017 sailing on the Silver Spirit from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Now at 23,162 views. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

We are booked on the Zuiderdam and will be in St Petersburg, Russia on 6/28 & 29  HA offers a day trip (17 1/2 hrs long) to Moscow for 1 day that is very expensive.  Is anyone interested in doing this? Those that have done it before....Is it worth the expense for 1 day?? Would appreciate any feedback! Thanks!

Annette

We did the 1-day Moscow day trip on the Zuiterdam.   It is an EXTREMELY long and tiring day.   However, all in all, wife and I say it's worth it.  St Petersburg is a cool city, but how often will you have a chance to see Moscow?   It's a rare chance.

I looked for specific reviews on the Red Square tour and didn't find any...so here is my own to help you and future tourists.

In theory, it was organized well.   Starts at 6:45 am.   (I was a little disappointed in HAL for waiting until 7:05 for the late people.  If you're not there at 6:46, we should have left without you).  A HAL guide takes you off the ship and leads you through customs.   After that, you meet your escort.   The escort leads you to the bus, and then the bus goes to the train station.  

Train ride is comfortable and clean and 4 hours long.  Clean bathrooms and breakfast included.

At Moscow, you meet a local tour guide, who leads you to another bus.  Drive through the city.

HAL has 2 tours of Moscow:  The Armory Museums OR Red Square.   You can see museums in every city on Earth, but there is only one Red Square.  Suggest that one.   BUT BE CAREFUL...HAL's website had conflicting info about which day trip was which.  Many people thought they were going to see Red Square, and were disappointed to realize they were on the museum tour instead.  This was HAL's fault, but I won't go into detail.

The bus ends up at Red Square and Kremlin (again, this is if you select the Red Square tour, not the Armory Museum).  You see the famous St Basil church and pass Lenin's Tomb (We could not see the tomb that day because it was a special parade day during on tour).  Then you get an hour free time.  I suggest you go see St Basil's.  We didn't and regret it.  The tour guide suggested we go instead into the Goom (Gum) Shopping mall.   It's a nice big mall, but malls are everywhere.   I wish we didn't go in there.  You only have 1 hour in Red Square, and we wasted ours in a shopping mall. 

After that, you go into the Kremlin, a fortified area where the government is.  They take you to one area of the Kremlin where a bunch of orthodox churches are, and you go in one.  Again, we would have preferred St Basil's, since it's by far the most famous one, but that wasn't included.  

After that, you get back on the bus and then back to the train station.  Our train left Moscow at around 7:30 pm, got to St Pete's at 11:45, and we were back on the ship around 1 am. 

A second bus left after us, but it arrived at the ship well before us.   Just an unlucky break that we had a horrible driver. Our bus crossed the river twice, meaning he took a wrong route and had to double back.  How does a professional tour bus drive not know directions from the train station to the pier? 

It's well worth it for the experience of it all, but there were some definite drawbacks...mostly with the tour guides and escorts and drivers, which probably wasn't HAL's fault.  For example, our Red Square escort talked to the locals a lot during the train ride, ignoring her tour group.  Meanwhile the Armory escort did nothing but wait on his group, helped them get free wifi, gave them instructions, etc.  If only our escort was as efficient as the other tour.

We do recommend this tour, despite some drawbacks.  Seeing our pictures of Moscow makes it all worthwhile.  Not too many people have that.

Hi Annette

I chocked at the price of the Moscow tour but my hubby really wanted to go. So hang the expense, we went. I loved the whole trip and so glad I went. We did the train from St PB to Moscow and yes it is a long day but hey you can sleep on the train which is only around 4 hours one way. Food provided on the train wasn't very good, serving breakfast as a dinner or lunch meal and we had exactly the same meal on the way back. Just to walk in the Red Square was amazing along with the other sights we saw. We booked this trip through the ship and would have liked to go with Guide Guru but unfortunately it was not available. We used Guide Guru on our day in St Petersburg, fantastic only 6 people on the tour, which I can highly recommend. I wish you safe and happy travels.

11 minutes ago, CTOM said:

We did the 1-day Moscow day trip on the Zuiterdam.   It is an EXTREMELY long and tiring day.   However, all in all, wife and I say it's worth it.  St Petersburg is a cool city, but how often will you have a chance to see Moscow?   It's a rare chance.

I looked for specific reviews on the Red Square tour and didn't find any...so here is my own to help you and future tourists.

 

In theory, it was organized well.   Starts at 6:45 am.   (I was a little disappointed in HAL for waiting until 7:05 for the late people.  If you're not there at 6:46, we should have left without you).  A HAL guide takes you off the ship and leads you through customs.   After that, you meet your escort.   The escort leads you to the bus, and then the bus goes to the train station.  

 

Train ride is comfortable and clean and 4 hours long.  Clean bathrooms and breakfast included.

At Moscow, you meet a local tour guide, who leads you to another bus.  Drive through the city.

 

HAL has 2 tours of Moscow:  The Armory Museums OR Red Square.   You can see museums in every city on Earth, but there is only one Red Square.  Suggest that one.   BUT BE CAREFUL...HAL's website had conflicting info about which day trip was which.  Many people thought they were going to see Red Square, and were disappointed to realize they were on the museum tour instead.  This was HAL's fault, but I won't go into detail.

 

The bus ends up at Red Square and Kremlin (again, this is if you select the Red Square tour, not the Armory Museum).  You see the famous St Basil church and pass Lenin's Tomb (We could not see the tomb that day because it was a special parade day during on tour).  Then you get an hour free time.  I suggest you go see St Basil's.  We didn't and regret it.  The tour guide suggested we go instead into the Goom (Gum) Shopping mall.   It's a nice big mall, but malls are everywhere.   I wish we didn't go in there.  You only have 1 hour in Red Square, and we wasted ours in a shopping mall. 

After that, you go into the Kremlin, a fortified area where the government is.  They take you to one area of the Kremlin where a bunch of orthodox churches are, and you go in one.  Again, we would have preferred St Basil's, since it's by far the most famous one, but that wasn't included.  

After that, you get back on the bus and then back to the train station.  Our train left Moscow at around 7:30 pm, got to St Pete's at 11:45, and we were back on the ship around 1 am. 

A second bus left after us, but it arrived at the ship well before us.   Just an unlucky break that we had a horrible driver. Our bus crossed the river twice, meaning he took a wrong route and had to double back.  How does a professional tour bus drive not know directions from the train station to the pier? 

It's well worth it for the experience of it all, but there were some definite drawbacks...mostly with the tour guides and escorts and drivers, which probably wasn't HAL's fault.  For example, our Red Square escort talked to the locals a lot during the train ride, ignoring her tour group.  Meanwhile the Armory escort did nothing but wait on his group, helped them get free wifi, gave them instructions, etc.  If only our escort was as efficient as the other tour.

 

We do recommend this tour, despite some drawbacks.  Seeing our pictures of Moscow makes it all worthwhile.  Not too many people have that.

 

OMG...Thank you so much for this advice!  We are going to book it despite the exorbitant price!  You have helped us decide.  One question....we are older (active) people....will there be anything so strenuous that we won't be able to do the tour?  They list it as STRENUOUS, but walking a lot is not what we consider strenuous!  Certainly Lengthy, but that being said, we can rest on the train!

14 minutes ago, Poodiepurple said:

Hi Annette

I chocked at the price of the Moscow tour but my hubby really wanted to go. So hang the expense, we went. I loved the whole trip and so glad I went. We did the train from St PB to Moscow and yes it is a long day but hey you can sleep on the train which is only around 4 hours one way. Food provided on the train wasn't very good, serving breakfast as a dinner or lunch meal and we had exactly the same meal on the way back. Just to walk in the Red Square was amazing along with the other sights we saw. We booked this trip through the ship and would have liked to go with Guide Guru but unfortunately it was not available. We used Guide Guru on our day in St Petersburg, fantastic only 6 people on the tour, which I can highly recommend. I wish you safe and happy travels.

 

Just now, memereboy said:

OMG...Thank you so much for this advice!  We are going to book it despite the exorbitant price!  You have helped us decide.  One question....we are older (active) people....will there be anything so strenuous that we won't be able to do the tour?  They list it as STRENUOUS, but walking a lot is not what we consider strenuous!  Certainly Lengthy, but that being said, we can rest on the train!

Lots of walking, some stairs, but nothing too strenuous.  Like most tour groups, some folks will keep up and some will straggle.   You'll be fine!

Thank you so much for the helpful reply!!  I'm curious though, what I learned from HAL is that unless we book our excursions directly from them, we would need a Russian Visa!? Did you have a Visa?  Guide Guru is a great source but we do not have time to get a Visa NOR do we want that additional expense ($400)?

Just now, memereboy said:

Thank you so much for the helpful reply!!  I'm curious though, what I learned from HAL is that unless we book our excursions directly from them, we would need a Russian Visa!? Did you have a Visa?  Guide Guru is a great source but we do not have time to get a Visa NOR do we want that additional expense ($400)?

We booked the Red Square cruise via HAL, so we did NOT need the visa.  When you get off the boat and go to customs, the customs officers will know you are with a HAL tour and will not ask for your visa.   It was simple.   We were worried too, but if you book through HAL, you are fine. 

With Guide Guru and others, you may need the paid visa additional cost.   Also...because we booked with HAL and we began at 7:00 am, we were guaranteed to be the very first people off the ship.

Guide Guru customers won't get special clearance off the ship.

2 hours ago, memereboy said:

Thank you so much for the helpful reply!!  I'm curious though, what I learned from HAL is that unless we book our excursions directly from them, we would need a Russian Visa!? Did you have a Visa?  Guide Guru is a great source but we do not have time to get a Visa NOR do we want that additional expense ($400)?

Guide Guru is one of those companies -- like Alla Tours or Best Guides or SPB Tours or etc. -- that offers visa-free tours. (Basically, they give you a tour ticket to show Russian Immigration that you are covered under their blanket visa.) You may have a brief delay getting off the ship compared to the ship tours, which have priority, but private tours can usually make up the time easily since they aren't trying to herd 30-40 people on and off buses.

Hi thanks for the thanks.

Guide Guru organize your tourist visa for you they will email you all the details and NO IT WON'T COST YOU ANYTHING AS YOU ARE WITH A RECOGNIZED TOURIST COMPANY.

When we left the ship (on the second day for the St Petersburg tour Guide Guru) all we had to do was to show the immigration our ticket with Guide Guru. It all went smoothly. If you can I would definitely book both days with Guide Guru, you will not have a problem. Hope that answers your question. You can confirm what I am saying by sending Guide Guru an email. Safe and happy travels to you.

Jayne

Hi Cool Cruiser again!! No it is not strenuous at all, in fact most of the walking is on flat ground. We too are older and I wouldn't say we are active but honestly it is a breeze. I hear what you are saying but be assured you will be fine.

Also I read one of your replies and the cruise ship companies tell you that you have to have a paid visa for Russia if you do not book their tours but that, from our experience is total nonsense. I urge you to contact Guide Guru or whatever local tour company you are looking at and ask the question. I believe that they also tell you that on their webpage.

I have been trying to BOOK this 1 day Moscow tour through Guide Guru, but they say they cannot form a group unless I can get others to join.  The prices are much better if booked through them but ONLY if there is a GROUP.  Anyone on the Zuiderdam in St. Petersburg on June 28, 2019 who would like to book this trip???  Here are the prices...with Guide Guru: 

Let's try to get a GROUP RATE!  It is $590/pp on the ship!!

45 minutes ago, memereboy said:

I have been trying to BOOK this 1 day Moscow tour through Guide Guru, but they say they cannot form a group unless I can get others to join.  The prices are much better if booked through them but ONLY if there is a GROUP.  Anyone on the Zuiderdam in St. Petersburg on June 28, 2019 who would like to book this trip???  Here are the prices...with Guide Guru: 

if 4 people going - $509US/person if 6 people going - $479US/person if 8 people going - $469US/person.

Let's try to get a GROUP RATE!  It is $590/pp on the ship!!

 

You should be able to find tour shares on your roll call. You should not post tour shares on this forum - it against Cruise Critic rules. 

You can find your roll call here;