Excursion Question

Having taken the plunge and booked a Baltic cruise on Explorer, I have a question concerning excursions. I know that they are generally included, with some exceptions. So far as St Petersburg is concerned, can anyone tell me whether the Regent excursions (both standard and those for which an extra charge applies) are worthwhile, or whether it would be better to book a private or semi-private tour? I know of the various tour operators in St Petersburg, but am uncertain whether to trust Regent or for us to go independently of Regent.

You are going to hear differing opinions. The first time we went to St. Petersburg we used a private guide (would have used a semi-private one but one was not available). We did half day tours for the days that we were there and were able to decide where we wanted to go and how much time we wanted to spend there. She was able to bypass the lines of people and we had a fantastic time. It was a major birthday for me so we paid for a special caviar/vodka tasting which was over the top.

On our second visit to St. Petersburg, we did Regent excursions. Not saying that they were bad - we also bypassed the lines but it wasn't as good as having our own tour guide. We paid to have a Regent tour to the Hermitage - it was disappointing because of the horrendous crowds. Have to share a funny story. Regent's tour guide messed up and put us on a boat where there was champagne and canapés. All of us were almost done eating it when we were told that we were on the wrong boat. We moved to the "right" boat and were served nothing. This would not had been a big deal if we hadn't seen what others were being served.

It really up to you in terms of what you prefer. In any case, the Baltic cruises are excellent!

Thanks for your input. Presumably you used one of the St Petersburg tour companies? Or maybe one of the Regent half-day deals? What a funny story about the champagne/canapes! Can't help but feel for the people for whom they were intended!!

I would use one of the St. Petersburg licensed tour companies rather than Regent's half-day car. Here are the websites for two companies that many Regent passengers have used: alla-tour.com and redoctober-us. Hope that the helps.

We had three days in St Petersburg on a 2016 cruise - but not with Regent, with Seabourn. We opted for a private tour with SPB tours (very very much recommended). We were hoping there would be another couple or two to join us and share the considerable cost - we used Cruise Critic to try to recruit - but had no luck. So we two swanned around in our limousine with excellent guide and driver, passing lines, moving at our own pace, able to spend more or less time wherever we wished.

I think the key is that there is so much to see in SP, it’s so overwhelming - which seems to bring on severe tour fatigue by day three - and there are so many tour groups. Not to have to wait around for latecomers, waste time getting on and off a coach, be able to go back to the ship when we wished - well, we agreed that it was definitely worth the added expense. A friend of mine took one of their small group tours - up to 15 people I think, but the website will say - and thought it was an excellent move.

I was going to add SPB to my websites above but someone on Cruise Critic (in the ports section) indicated that there was a deposit required with SPB while none is required on the other two. Did you have to pay a deposit?

In our case, we paid nothing until the end of our last excursion. At that time we paid in cash (USD).

As an aside, we used Alla Tours and highly recommend them.

We used SPB tours for St. Petersburg for two full days and Berlin. They were fabulous. We were able to hook up with two other couples and that significantly lowered the cost. Heard the others were good, as well.

Sheila

Having taken the plunge and booked a Baltic cruise on Explorer, I have a question concerning excursions. I know that they are generally included, with some exceptions. So far as St Petersburg is concerned, can anyone tell me whether the Regent excursions (both standard and those for which an extra charge applies) are worthwhile, or whether it would be better to book a private or semi-private tour? I know of the various tour operators in St Petersburg, but am uncertain whether to trust Regent or for us to go independently of Regent.

Travelcat's reply is excellent as always, but I want to chime it as well. We love the flexibility of private or semi-private guides but they are expensive. One Regent tour in St Pete that we loved was the evening excursion to Catherine's Palace. We had private access to the Amber Room and lots of extras in terms of entertainment. No crowds at all! Well worth the extra charge for the Regent excursion.

Travelcat's reply is excellent as always, but I want to chime it as well. We love the flexibility of private or semi-private guides but they are expensive. One Regent tour in St Pete that we loved was the evening excursion to Catherine's Palace. We had private access to the Amber Room and lots of extras in terms of entertainment. No crowds at all! Well worth the extra charge for the Regent excursion.

That sounds wonderful 😀

Thank you for your responses. It may be the only time we visit SPB, so we'd like to do it justice and it sounds from what I've heard so far that private or semi-private might well be the way to go. Thank you also for the heads-up on the evening tour to St Catherine's Palace, which sounds like a must-do. So helpful to be able to take advantage of other people's experiences and advice before making a decision.

I think that the free included tours, as well as the paid "Choice" are a good value.

Know that in the past you can not use a 3rd party tour guide unless you have, prior to arrival in Russia, applied for a separate Russian entry visa. This is a different Visa that is included with the ship. In 2015 the cost for this Visa was $300 per person and take several week to process.

J

I think that the free included tours, as well as the paid "Choice" are a good value.

 

Know that in the past you can not use a 3rd party tour guide unless you have, prior to arrival in Russia, applied for a separate Russian entry visa. This is a different Visa that is included with the ship. In 2015 the cost for this Visa was $300 per person and take several week to process.

 

J

Not true Jmariner. The private tours recommended all get the required authority for you to get off the ship and you use your confirmation at immigration leaving the ship.

I think that the free included tours, as well as the paid "Choice" are a good value.

 

Know that in the past you can not use a 3rd party tour guide unless you have, prior to arrival in Russia, applied for a separate Russian entry visa. This is a different Visa that is included with the ship. In 2015 the cost for this Visa was $300 per person and take several week to process.

 

J

You can use "licensed" tour guides as they have group visas. Agree that not all tour guides in Russia are licensed but disagree that what you said is not true. It is also, In my opinion, a scam for cruise lines to give this information to passengers (which is commonly done).

Not true Jmariner. The private tours recommended all get the required authority for you to get off the ship and you use your confirmation at immigration leaving the ship.

Maybe it was because I wanted to do an overnight to Moscow . Perhaps if one just does local SP tours you can still fall under the special zone visa exception.

I had a fully booked escorted overnight from the ship to airport, flight to Moscow and return to ship using company called Red October. About 3 weeks before departure to Ship the tour company emailed me to say we needed tourist visas and could not use the ships visa. They wanted $300 pp and we would have to send in our passport. They could not verify that they could get passport back before departure so we canceled the tour. Trying to deal with the passport issue and the Russian Consulate was hideous.

J

I just want to a good word for ALLA tours. We booked a private tour for three days in SP and it was amazing. We found three other couples from our roll call and went in together and had three days of really wonderful tours. As someone else mentioned, you will be exhausted at the end of each day!

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SPB tours supplied our visas. They sent us a copy of the visa that we printed at home. When we disembarked the ship, they met us and supplied the originals. It was perfect. I guess that's why you must use a reputable, recommended tour company.

It worked the same way with Alla Tours. Very simple.

Perhaps you can do the Regent evening event as well as a day with a private tour guide ...... the best of both worlds.

Actually, I would contact the one (s) that you are interested in possibly using and see which one you feel most comfortable with.

When we were in St Petersburg - a long time ago -we hired a marvellous tour guide who had taken Bill Clinton and other Americans around St P. We had 3 days with her...which cost us about $1000\day. But the were just amazing. Including being at Catherine's Palace when it was closed, and in the Amber room - on our own.

DaisyUK. I think you have my email...send me a message and I will dig out her website! Good to know you are still cruising

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Hi Gerry, good to see you are still cruising also! We have been seduced by Crystal these last few years but are going to try the Explorer for the first time this summer. Thank you and I will find your email address and be in touch... all the best, Jill