verne1956

I thought I would write a review of my experience with Lentina from our 2day tour with them just a few days ago August 2019. The owner met us at the terminal and told us that our guide Elena and driver Sergei would be with us shortly she took us to meet them got the rest of our payment and then we were off. 

Elena was a very knowledgeable guide having just the two of us we got incredible attention.  We saw way more then we expected.  Sergei was right on the spot each time when we finished each tour.  Having a private car meant we could find very close parking. The value was outstanding there was never going to be more then six people but because Lentina is not well known on Cruise Critic there was just us two.  This made it very economic.

I can recommend Lentina to anyone looking for personal attention do not be afraid to try them we were super happy.  After speaking to others on our cruise the attention and care we received was outstanding.

Thank Stella1250

I am hoping ours turns out to be fully private by default if she can’t find people from the ship to join then we will be the only ones at no extra cost.

I private messaged on TA a lady whose review was recent and she said she and her family were more then happy. I will be happy even if there is six.   I really think it will be fine it’s just that this company is newish and is still building.  That doesn’t make it bad In fact they probably try hard to get good feedback reviews.

Thank you

I have now private messaged another member of TripAdvisor she said she was very happy with Lentina she used them late last year with no problems.   I think they are a newer company just several years maybe this is why they ask for deposit.  The other member also paid a deposit.

I will make more inquiries as if this company is what it seems it offers great value for such a small group of 6.

Thank you all for your generous information 

Stella1250, thanks for your confirmation that your trip is truly private and not shown on site. I have seen several sites that also offer full private but as you have said at least around US$400 plus and above each. The fact that Lentina was US$295 each for max of 6 seemed reasonable.

As for the other comments I will look more closely at recommendation.

Brian1, I have had Lentina send me a information sheet and it states they do want a deposit US$190 for 2 but it is refundable by early August before we leave for the tour.  The much larger remainder US$400 is payable when the tour starts. Would you think that normal, the sheet gives a registration MBT 006361 I have to say I can’t tell if websites are legitimate as I am not so tech savvy.

regards verne1956

I got them off TripAdvisor I just had a quick look at SPB Tours and what they have says 16 person max for the advertised 2day tours. Have you booked a separate fully private if so was it much more then site amounts US$210 to 285pp.

It was the price that made Lentina stand out max 6 for US$295 pp plus I really liked the itinerary.  I posted this on Nothern Europe & Baltic so hopefully someone has been with them. If no one answers I can cancel.

Thanks for that I posted on your link hopefully others may know the answer about this company. Even after using Cruise Critic for a couple of years I still struggle to use it.

Hello all

We have booked a small group tour max 6 with Lentina. I asked this same kind of question on my roll call but was recommended this may be a better place. So my question is has many others used Lentina Travel Company St Petersburg?   I keep seeing Alla and numerous others but on Cruise Critic I am yet to see any about Lentina. It does get good reviews on TripAdvisor I am quite taken by the fact that there groups are so small if no one else books it will still run with just us. It is a good itinerary and doesn’t cost much more then the other companies who run with more like 16 persons.  

If if others have experienced this company I would appreciate feedback as I am worried about paying without cruisers recommendation.

Thank you up front for any assistance 

verne1956

Hello all

We are booked for cruise in August on QE and I have booked a 2 day excursion with Lentina to see St Petersburg.  I liked what they offered as they never have more then 6 and will go even if it is just us 2.  They are slightly more expensive for this service but not by much maybe US$40 or 50.  I am noticing that most seem to book with Alla but there groups max out at 16 has anyone booked with Lentina and were they what you hoped.  I read many positive comments on TripAdvisor but don’t know much about comments on Cruise Critic.

We have not paid any deposit as yet so I can cancel but I do really like the low numbers. Would like any comments concerning reliability and service.

Thank you for any assistance 

verne1956

I can only speak for myself but for me it is the level of tipping that NCL is expecting that is a problem for me. At A$39 per couple everyday it is way above anything we would ever leave as a tip.

I know they usually sail US area where tips are compulsory but I understand they charge way more then other lines. For a small amount of effort to do your own tipping we could pay for other services offered not only on the ship but onshore.

I wish I could say 100% you can take out the tips . I have however not long ago had this conversation with my agent at Flight Centre it went like this. She checked with NCL agents here in Australia. Yes you can and I had taken out the gratuities at the time of booking but I must go to the desk on first day to make sure they will stay removed because yes they will add them. This will be done on the ship and no one will be told of this it will give me the option of giving those who I see as giving me great service a tip personally at an amount I am comfortable just as I do here and anywhere else currently. I am not comfortable with the percentage being changed currently pp.

This is unfortunately a very contentious issue on site. I think because this is a US based site and tipping/gratuities are compulsory there many who can't understand the reluctance by those not from US to have them included pre travel.

I do hope that the info you say is now maybe in place making it very difficult is incorrect. I was however only given the info that is not complicated in the last couple of weeks. It looks like we will have to wait and see.

I truly don't want this issue to spoil my trip as it is an added expense I have not factored into my trip. Fingers crossed.

This will be my last post for this subject. I suspected I would regret my participation.

KeithJenner I do not live in some kind of outpost shut off from the outside world I have traveled over the last 40 odd years in my youth right through to my retirement when money was still coming in. This included the UK Europe Asia and the South Pacific so yes I have left Australia. I do understand that each country is different in many ways customs values etc, I have learned many things from those I have met and places I have visited including that I was very lucky to be born in Australia I appreciate that every day.

It is our circumstances now as a full pensioners with very limited funds so it is the unexpected rises in the cost of my cruise that upsets me. I understand the ship I am booked on will rise to US$18 a day that is A$23.50 x 2 that could go up as our dollar changes daily against the US. Someone booked on my cruise got a different email then the one posted here.

You may not like the way I express myself but the feeling is mutual. I am not totally against service charge/gratuities it is that someone tells me just how much I MUST pay. I will as I have stated before give directly to those who I personally deal with who offer me great service and with whom I have developed a rapport especially the cabin staff. I will give them what my pocket can afford usually a lump sum as well as Australian souvenirs for family members. I would not do this everyday as being charged by NCL.

BTW newmexiconita in Australia we have P&O Carnival Celebrity Princess RCCL now Azamara yearly & Cunard come here on world tours all three and numerous others who make special visits to the Southern Hemisphere in the Northern winter including now NCL. So we do get our fare share of international cruise lines just not the wide variety of ships. Cruising has become one of the fastest growing areas of tourism in Australia. I first cruised in 1974 it was a small sector then now our docks can barely keep up with demand its popular.

Sorry but a so called service fee is a gratuity just by another name. I just googled it an google agrees IMO "same same only different". Its all gouging the customer and as hawkeyetlse says a breaking point for many.

The last couple of days I had thought of going on another cruise but maybe not. I would never need to pay a service fee/gratuity everyday here in Australia even if I ate out each day at a buffet restaurant so why pay each day for that when its against your grain/custom.

Its a pity really I only just rediscovered cruising in the last 2 yrs hadn't done it for 20yrs before that it seemed cheap. However when you look at the price they charge for extras it not so cheap at all.

I am booked for October for a re positioning cruise and at close to A$450 in tips I am shocked by the rise. Yes maybe if you are only going a few days this may not seem like much but on some of the long cruises it is not acceptable. My partner and I are on a pension which is quite low this is a huge cruise for us and is already eating into limited savings we are booked in the lowest level cabin for budget reasons. I come from a country where tipping is not expected without superior service this means more then a smile or hello isn't that part of a job description in hospitality. I like to tip those who personally give me higher levels of service in person face to face not just put money into a bottomless pit where no-one actually knows who gets what. The ship I am traveling on is not a usual visitor to our shores and to be truthful I doubt I will book again as the other ships who do visit regularly do not charge this level of tips and they to offer good service. Not all cruisers come from countries where tipping is compulsory.

Oh and yes I do not read USA today I do not live in US either not all cruiser come from US and not all cruisers come from countries that tip. Most of the world does not tip as a compulsory practice. It is not just 49cents extra my dollar is worth much less then the US dollar and I am on a ship who rise is the highest level.

I expect to be blasted for my comment which is a shame but I have seen this before on cruise critic some threads are not friendly at all.

I have just looked up the NCL AU terms and conditions they are written as above these are not Carnival or RCCL terms and conditions they may be the same I don't know but the ones shown as off NCL AU. However I will admit they are confusing I think I will contact NCL AU to see what terms and conditions numbers 9 10 12 13 are about. Yes we all know most of the things like including accom food entertainment etc they are very clear but the so called service fee and or gratuities are still not clear.

Someone on the roll call thread for this cruise just got a email from NCL to say there is a change in costs of gratuities in April going up ofcourse they booked and paid in Australian dollars so why did they get the email if ours are included in price. I personally have not had this email as yet so yes this whole thing is very confusing.

I suppose for us in Australia and NZ we are used to having all taxes and charges included in the price displayed ie a dress is the price on the ticket a bag of chips is the price and yes for ships based here it is now the same P&O Carnival etc. If it says its A$500 then it 500 not 500 plus 14% or whatever. This leaves no confusion I hope it is true for the NCL site for ANZ.

I have booked the Tahiti to Sydney leg our airfare with Emirates and Air NZ was A$620 our fare on NCL $2692 with beverage pkg it just an inside cabin but I was happy with the deal. I asked about gratuities and was told at Flight Centre oh yes there are gratuities to be paid so I asked for them to be taken off as we booked from Australia I had read they were included somewhere can't remember where now.

I wish that all travel agents new there are no extra gratuiities from Australian based booking as they are already built in instead of making me feel like a criminal for checking. I know this site is primarily an American site but it does make me smile when questioned as to why you would want to take off gratuities. It has been asked on other forums I have read and the response from our American friends can be quite amazing.

My fingers are crossed we are not charged them I was told to check at desk on ship so who knows may take a copy of the post that states they are included in fare.

BTW I do tip those who give me great service especially the room attendants they work very hard. I also like to give little gifts from home.

Thanks for the heads up your right in Australia we can only bring on 12 soft drink no alcohol. It is disappointing as they do not have an alcohol package either on Australian based ships. This seems to discriminate to me that on all their other ships you can get packages and take on a couple of bottles in the beginning but nothing from downunder.

As far as I know pretty much all of the other ships who sail in Aussie waters offer packages Carnival does need to get it together even if they put a daily limit if they are worried about abuse.

Thank you for your reply. This is very helpful and we will take advantage of this our first Carnival Cruise.

Just wondering can you bring any alcohol like a bottle of wine or champagne on board departure day on Carnival Spirit departing Sydney Australia. I have been on P&O and Royal Caribbean and they allow 12 cans soft drink(P&O) and a bottle of champagne or wine(RCL) but its just for use in room on first day etc.

I am aware you cannot bring on alcohol for the rest of cruise but just would like to know if there is any allowance at all. Would like to share with husband as it will be cruise to celebrate birthday on first night.

That's good to know for sure that makes up to 24 cans between us as I said that will save a bit on money in Ports. I do what others say eat a good breakfast get off look around then come back for lunch then off again until sail time.

I have been to most of the ports we are going to before and unless you can find a produce market for fruit then food and drinks can be very expensive. As you pay for all your meals in the cruise price why not take advantage of this if you are not taking excursions.

It is the same with the drinks package why pay $79 everyday of the cruise when you will be off the ship for more then half the time. Unless you are a really big drinker which I am not maybe 2 a day alcohol it won't make sense for me.

If they had a non alcohol cocktail package I would take that I do enjoy those and would drink up to 6 of them over the whole day. I took that last time on Royal Caribbean.

I have now read in at least 3 threads something about being able to take 12 cans on board in hand luggage.

Is this true and just what kind of cans are we talking about I am thinking soft drink. This would be very helpful as the cruise I am taking is 14 nts so if we could take 12 cans we could take them on shore when in Port as things like canned drinks can be as much as $6 each in some ports in Pacific.

Unfortunately I will be on a super tight budget this cruise it was not planned I am going with someone who is not so well at the moment more for them not me. Its a case of every dollar saved will be a bonus and that is several days worth.

Boy I do sound cheap but hey this time its true.

I too second the thanks I am going to be cruising next month with my sister. I have seen they now have drinks packages but the alcohol seems terribly expensive for a light drinker. Looks like the soft drink one for me I don't drink coffee but my sister does so a bottle of nescafe on the cards.

I was on Azamara in Feb it is very small and all inclusive so I will have been spoilt could eat and drink all day and night with no extra cost but hey it was expensive to begin with. Was on Royal Caribbean in 2014 they had a good soft pack that included mocktails pity P&O didn't do that I liked it at lot.

I'll be happy if they have good entertainment and plenty of it Azamara does not got a bit boring after 14nts. I will also be happy as I doubt we will have many kids as its not school holidays and it not a popular time of year.

Do they have any kind of drinks etc around the snack bar area like Royal Carribbean they had tea coffee and a flavoured water like cordial for free all day that helps to keep costs down during the day then just have a couple of drinks at night. Both Royal and Azamara also had Mr Whippy kind of icecream for free or is that asking to much also.

No I didn't know they even had a festival until I received my invitation to the Wedding we are attending and it said book your hotel early as it is a long weekend in Auckland. I fly in just hours before the wedding on Saturday evening we will be staying very close to it in Orakei it is apparently opposite the Kelly Tarlton Aquarium. Our visit to Auckland will be short and sweet just the day leading up to getting on the ship is free I think we will just get on the hop on hop off bus to see the sights.

Funnily NZ has never been on my bucket list but everyone I meet who has been there has said its beautiful. If our holidays had worked out better we would have loved to see Queenstown and the Glaciers but my husbands workplace has ballot holidays and ours didn't give us time pre cruise. This is his last year of working so maybe when we retire we will go back and see that part. There is often really cheap fares to that area we could just go there for a week or so.

One area that is on my bucket list is Canada I would love to go up the inside passage and catch one of the fancy trains across the Rockies. Alas we will need to rob a bank to go to all the places on my bucket list and if that bank job comes my way I will definitely be going business class. Only got that opportunity once to Bali after a shocker of a trip by Garuda they made it up to us by giving us a reasonable refund plus a promise of a free upgrade if we traveled again within 12mths. Wish that could happen again as business class back then wasn't that great they have done so much improvement in that area in most airlines now I am sure you will be treated rather Queen like.

I know you will enjoy your trip is sounds really fantastic and with good short breaks between the different sections. Have a great Xmas try not to eat to much if those clothes were already tight to much Merry Xmas could spell a costly shopping trip pre cruise. Although those post Xmas sales do seem to call me each year HO HO HO!

Hi NothernLite

Also note that the trains are also able to accommodate wheelchairs they have a ramp that the guard puts out and is usually met by the station employee to see that all go well they communicate your destination with staff. I unfortunately am doing the return cruise from Auckland back to Sydney so unless we meet on your departure at Auckland or arrange something before we will be ships passing thru the night.

The Zoo by the way has fabulous views of the city it is however pretty hilly but many wheelchair bound people visit so nothing you will not be able to handle my mother was recently taken there by a school group and the children pushed them around. There is a petting area with a variety of animals I know they have wallaby in there to my memory you can also walk thru the kangaroo area pretty much near the top entrance. The koala enclosure has ramps and there are showings and picture opportunities but the koala is not on you they have very sharp nails and they are known to pee at the wrong time they sit them on a teddy that is hidden in the photos. It is an all day thing mainly because of the way its set out can't rush it as it is spaced out.

We have some tough rules to not exclude disabled so most places can accommodate. The fish markets would be a close taxi ride but there are a lot of seafood restaurants in the city especially in Darling Harbour also Chinatown has fresh seafood tanks in many of the bigger restaurants the Asians love FRESH. I think you will enjoy your time here I love the Quay area myself I stayed one night several years ago in a room that had Harbour views of both the Opera House and the Bridge I felt just like a tourist in my own city it was very pretty at night. The Marriott is well placed hope your room has views but believe it or not a great view can be had from the train station quay side good high position for photos so many people catch the train just to get that. Unless you are able to stand it would be your husband who would be able to see that as the walls are filled in for safety.

I understand the flights from Canada are very long haven't been myself but do know others who have you will need your break. Just do the Quay Rocks area the first day not far to push back to the hotel if you get tired. I have done the old Syd to UK run many years ago when it took 28hrs but I was considerably younger then like almost 40yrs younger but hey just remember the first few days on the ship you can rest before NZ so push push push yourself and please excuse that pun no offense meant I mean mentally. I believe when you travel you should try to see all you can sleep later when your at home its cheaper LOL.

Have a great trip it sounds like you earned it.

I can say I know of no restaurants that would expect a coat and tie well ones you could get a booking in without a long notice and even then I doubt you would be knocked back with shirt and trousers. We are pretty casual bunch really the only times you see people in the full formal attire are in the society pages of the newspaper and thats usually at openings and balls etc.

I have to admit I don't eat out right in the city much but any of the Darling Harbour Rocks or Circular Quay ones are always just ranging from straight out casual to smart casual. Flip flops or throngs as we call them being the exception except for pubs although I used to work for a young couple as a nanny who both wore thongs to work in advertising my hair stood on end at the sight.

Where in Sydney are you staying there are so many places to eat we have a Chinatown right in the CBD in Haymarket, Darling Harbour is lined by bars cafes and restaurants as is Circular Quay. There is nereby places such as Newtown a short bus ride big variety an interesting place I was born there but it was considered ultra working class back then now its trendy and housing costs a fortune. Liechardt is up the hwy from Newtown it is the Italian capital for food.

Whilst in Sydney do take a harbour cruise the government ferries have them cheap they go two different direction one towards Parramatta and the Olympic village and the other towards the North past some of our most expensive realestate both giving a good perspective of Sydney. I recommended a trip to Manly instead of Bondi to some UK cruisers on my cruise it is a ferry ride really pleasant and it has both a bay and surf beach with heaps of eateries inbetween sides. It also has the old quarantine Station I have stayed the night there it is a very interesting place quite sad as all sick passengers were sent there if there ship was seen as contagious looks nice now but back a couple of centuries ago not so nice.

I personally come from the Southern area of the Metropolitan it is a train ride from the city to Cronulla and is near where Captain Cook discovered/claimed Australia in a place called Kurnell I walk my dogs out there almost daily as they have a dog beach on one of the bays. You'll fly out over it on your way home but the plane may be rising to high to see much of it.

With only a few days to look around if I had to recommend what should I do, well I would say a good walk around the Circular quay area up to the Opera House into the Botanical Garden that offers spectacular views the Art Gallery in there and it has a good range of Aboriginal Art the Museum is just a short walk from there also as is the infamous Kings Cross up the hill from the Museum but unless you like seedy give it a miss. On another day you can do Darling Harbour it was a resumed railway yard now one of our tourist sites there you will also find Chinatown and Paddys Markets at one end also to the side the Powerhouse Museum a more Modern view of Australian development and to the end of the same side but the Harbour end the Casino.

I would also take a trip to the Blue Mountains @ Katoomba there is a train there as well as a hop on hop off bus to the different sites it is a very lovely place called blue because at a distance the trees give a blueish tint rather then green. The south Coast is also really lovely and another train trip makes that possible to see you can go to either Wollongong or further to Kiama where a water spout blowhole is seen by tourists and me great on a good day I am thinking of retiring in this area.

I suppose what I am saying is that you do not have to spend a fortune on organized tours it is quite possible to see things cheaply and in the CBD mostly on foot for free. If you are the driving kind all of these places can be easily assessed with a GPS its just a matter if your hotel allows cars in there carpark for a reasonable price to guests.

Thank you for this update! No, I won't be wearing anything you can buy at Penny's but we are stretching this vacation in several places both warm and cold so this Next cruise has about driven me batty. I always have dressy black crepe pants and appropriate blouses and bling but changing from upscale white jeans or dark denim trousers after a long day ashore can really mess up a pre-dinner martini relax before dinner date into a hurried change and arrive at dinner feeling stressed out.

 

I do remember our first cruise on the Journey was their repositioning after the first season of Bermuda sailings. Back then the men wore basically nice khakis or chinos and Tommy Bahama short sleeve button down Hawaiian style shirts and many of the ladies were also wearing TB. Oh, for TB to make the ladies silk slacks again.

 

I was checking in to see if I should pack more short sleeve tops and blouses for the Sydney to Auckland cruise. Checking weather reports for shore rarely helps once on the ship and staying near ports. Any ideas on what to expect during the days for temperatures?

Hi I am a local of Sydney currently we are experiencing very high temps well into high 30s Celsius and I expect that not to change we generally follow the Southern USA as far as temps go they had a hot summer with lots of bush fires we will be the same it has already started we only hit summer today.

I was on a cruise last year this time and although we didn't go to NZ we were in the Pacific for the whole time. I only wore my jackets on deck at night and they were only crepe never had to dress in anything but really light clothes mostly dresses for the heat.

I will be on the cruise after yours from Auckland back to Sydney and although I have never been to NZ before my friend has and she tells me that the weather can be cool in Sth Is even in Jan Feb so she always takes a jacket and a rain poncho. I was talking to a tour operator the other day and he said it is considered a heatwave over there if it gets to low 30s and the old adage of four season in one day is very true.

So for the boat light clothing but take a lightish jacket just incase but definitely jackets for NZ. In Sydney itself break out the summer wardrobe it will be mighty hot in January even if it does rain it still doesn't get cool.