EllieR

Hello!

I hope some of you who have travelled Princess or MSC, or neither but have gone to Longyearbyen, can provide some guidance.

My husband and I would like to do a cruise that includes Longyearbyen and Honningsvag. We like the Princess product and prefer to book with them, but the cost of this cruise is a bit rich for his blood (before anyone writes that "it's only money", know that he's doing a Master's degree, which means tuition fees :)). So, we started looking into other options and found a less expensive alternative with MSC.

There are three main differences: MSC's itinerary has three fewer ports than Princess' (Flaam, Aalesund, Trondheim), is in Honningsvag overnight, and is in the ports typically afternoon and late evening (i.e. 10pm). In contrast, Princess is in Honningvag one day and is typically in the ports for the morning and afternoon.

I am also unfamiliar with MSC's product.

So, here is where I would appreciate your guidance:

1) Is there an advantage to being in the ports for the afternoon and evening versus morning and afternoon?

2) Is there an advantage to being in Honningsvag overnight, other than just a longer stay?

3) Is there anything in Flaam, Aalesund, or Trondheim that makes them "must see" or "great to see if you can" ports as opposed to "not much there, take 'em or leave 'em"?

4) Would a Princess cruiser enjoy MSC's product?

a. If it helps, the ships are the Pacific Princess versus the MSC Meraviglia.

Thank you all in advance for your advice! I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Ellie.

Thank you all so much for your advice! I booked the excursion to Moscow this morning. :)

Question for Terry: I am impressed with all you were able to see in Moscow, but am unclear over how much time you spent there. You mentioned a three-day excursion - was all of this from three days in Moscow, or was this the middle day of a three day package?

Thanks again,

Ellie.

Hello!

Here's the question, and it's posed to mainly to those of you who have visited Moscow: do you think a one-day excursion to Moscow is worth $760?

I will be visiting St. Petersburg for a second time, a Saturday and Sunday this May. Last time, I did a tour that did all the main stops (SPB's deluxe tour, if that helps), so I'm looking for something different.

My ship is offering a one-day excursion to Moscow. Stops include the Kremlin, Cathedral Square, Armory, and some free time in Red Square. I would love to do this tour, especially considering I don't know when/if I'll get another opportunity to see Moscow.

Here's the catch: other than the really long day, it will be roughly $760 CAD. :eek:

I looked into other tour companies, but they only offer it as part of a three-day shore excursion or as a private tour (and it would cost more for me than the ship would).

The price is very discouraging, and there are other things I can do in St. Petersburg that interest me, but I would hate to miss this opportunity. For those of you who have been, what would you advise?

Thanks in advance,

Ellie.

Hello!

When we brought our daughter (then 3 yrs old), we were allowed to stay with her as long as we liked. This was on the Royal in November 2015. She was one of only twelve 3 to 12 year olds on board!

However, we didn't need to stay long as she saw other things she wanted to do and a couple of other kids to play with (I think the low numbers helped). After that first day, she didn't want anything to do with us. Every morning she would ask, "Is the playground open yet?" Yup, my 3 year old ditched me. :p I hope your child has an equally wonderful time.