cruise pair Posted November 11, 2012 #101 Share Posted November 11, 2012 Hi to you all ,we too have just booked our 2 day excursion with SPB to St Petersburgh i have read into their reviews a lot and was happy to go a head to book with them, i have emailed them with questions etc and have always had really quick responses back from them , i would well recommend this company we are looking forward to our trip, so well done SPB and keep up the great work:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolande Posted April 1, 2013 #102 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolande Posted April 1, 2013 #103 Share Posted April 1, 2013 I see that your Canadian, do we or don't we need to get a Visa in Russia :confused: SPB tours say that we don't need to get a Visa because we are on a Tour:rolleyes: . We will be on the Emerald Princess on June 2013. SPB Tours will send you detailed messages about the payment options. We paid by US$ cash the morning of the second day. Our friends paid by VISA at the end of the first day, and SPB Tours charges 3% fee extra for credit cards. We also gave tips by US$ cash (10% to the guide and 5% to the driver) at the end of the second day, which we felt was well deserved. We immensely enjoyed the trip and highly recommend SPB. There is no other way to use your short time in St. Petersburg so efficiently and conveniently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varoo Posted April 2, 2013 #104 Share Posted April 2, 2013 (edited) ....... Our friends paid by VISA at the end of the first day, and SPB Tours charges 3% fee extra for credit cards. :confused::confused: That is not what we were told. When we asked, the reply we received is that SPB charges no extra fee for using a credit card. To double check, I just took a look at SPB's website http://spb-tours.com/st-petersburg/en/ Sure enough, right on the first page it clearly states No Credit Card charges! In addition, another box at the upper right says No credit card fees! The price you see is the price you pay! Did your friends go recently? Maybe the policy has changed since they were there. But anyone who has questions can email Viktoria at vika@spb-tours.com She is very accommodating and replies quickly. If you have any questions or concerns, she will send you a personalized reply instead of just stock answers. As previously pointed out if you use a credit card that does not charge a fee for foreign currency conversion and gives you cash back, your net cost ends up being less than if you pay cash. Besides, you gain the convenience of not needing to be bothered with exchanging currency or carrying around large amounts of cash. An additional benefit is having the protection of the credit card company behind you in case of a problem or dispute. Edited April 2, 2013 by varoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John Bull Posted April 2, 2013 #105 Share Posted April 2, 2013 :confused::confused: Did your friends go recently? Maybe the policy has changed since they were there. I believe that's the case. Ditto Alla Tours, who have dropped credit card charges within the past 12 months. JB :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaigi Posted September 7, 2014 #106 Share Posted September 7, 2014 we had never used CC before so what an experience.Thankyou all. The information we received was so helpfull. We sailed on the Holland America line through Northern Europe and the Baltics. Always being cautious travellers our land tours were usually booked through the ship tours office,but this time it was going to be different,we had heard about SPB TOURS in St.Petersburg.We worried about our passport information privacy,we worried about arriving in St.Petersburg and not being allowed off the ship because we had not organised a visa while in Australia,and we just worried. What a waste of worry. Before departing Australia all required information had been sorted. After passing through customs,which went smoothly because of SPB Tours paperwork we were directed to our tour guide and our awaiting bus. The tour guide was the most informed and helpful guide we have ever encountered.All questions were answered and more.In the 2 days we toured St.Petersburg there was never a dull moment. And remembering the bus,it was very clean and the driver very experienced.Thank You SPD TOURS we would recommend you to everyone.5 stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailnBrad Posted September 7, 2014 #107 Share Posted September 7, 2014 We just returned from the Baltic cruise on the Norwegian Star. We used SPB tours in Berlin and St. Petersburg. They were wonderful! We found them as soon as we left the ship. Very easy. Our tour guides in both ports were very professional, friendly, very knowledgeable and spoke clear English. We were very happy we went with SPB. Well worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubofhockey Posted September 10, 2014 #108 Share Posted September 10, 2014 For Berlin, I would suggest you request Heather to be your guide. Out of all of the tours I have done throughout the years in so many places, she stands out. She is the total goods when it comes to knowledge, passion, and communication skills. It goes beyond her masters degree in German studies. I am usually pretty cynical, but count me as a fan. She was also able to convey the horror of the Nzi era and the psyche of today's Germany. Well done!! High marks in St Petersburg as well. We did a private group of eight and eliminated one of their stops and added Grand Choral Synagogue and some shopping. We also used their driver service at night to go to a nice restaurant in town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prish Posted September 11, 2014 #109 Share Posted September 11, 2014 For Berlin, I would suggest you request Heather to be your guide. Out of all of the tours I have done throughout the years in so many places, she stands out. She is the total goods when it comes to knowledge, passion, and communication skills. It goes beyond her masters degree in German studies. I am usually pretty cynical, but count me as a fan. She was also able to convey the horror of the Nzi era and the psyche of today's Germany. Well done!! We've booked with SPB Tours for our Baltic cruise next May/June, we're also considering the various options for Warnemunde/Berlin. Which tour did you do in Berlin, how many were you, the full van of 16? Would appreciate your input, we're still debating the pros and cons of the 6 hour drive to Berlin and back. Thanks:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubofhockey Posted September 11, 2014 #110 Share Posted September 11, 2014 We've booked with SPB Tours for our Baltic cruise next May/June, we're also considering the various options for Warnemunde/Berlin. Which tour did you do in Berlin, how many were you, the full van of 16? Would appreciate your input, we're still debating the pros and cons of the 6 hour drive to Berlin and back. Thanks:) The drive is worth it if you don't think you have Germany on your vacation list in the next few years. We didn't do a private tour in Berlin. We did one with 24 people. It was the Classic Berlin tour. Heather took time to answer everyone's questions. I doubt I will return to Germany, but for good and bad history, Berlin is an important city and I have no regrets. The time on the bus is actually relaxing and down time is okay on this itinerary. Bus was modern and comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prish Posted September 11, 2014 #111 Share Posted September 11, 2014 The drive is worth it if you don't think you have Germany on your vacation list in the next few years. We didn't do a private tour in Berlin. We did one with 24 people. It was the Classic Berlin tour. Heather took time to answer everyone's questions. I doubt I will return to Germany, but for good and bad history, Berlin is an important city and I have no regrets. The time on the bus is actually relaxing and down time is okay on this itinerary. Bus was modern and comfortable. Thanks, we've been to Berlin some years back but would love to go back. Our only concern is the long drive up and down, guess we'll play it by the ear and see how we fee closer to the date:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
touringbee Posted September 14, 2014 #112 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Still in copenhagen from our cruise. Absolutely wonderful. Buy russian souvenirs in Estonia, use SPB tours. Best reviews. Keep all receipts. When at airport in copenhagen to go back, turn in receipts & get refund of 25% back for sales taxes paid. Use ships shuttle to airport or to copenhagen town centre. If staying in town, use cab to airport. $60. Cheap Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballenest Posted March 31, 2015 #113 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Diana Ljung conducted the best tour we have ever taken. She knew her material inside out and upside down... even to the point of knowing where bathrooms were that were out of the way of the crowds. Speaking of crowds, the people from our cruise who took tours scheduled by our ship complained of standing in line for two hours or more before even getting into Catherine's palace and the Hermitage. On the other hand, Diana took us in another entrance at Catherine's palace and we had no wait whatsoever. At the Hermitage, we had early entrance and again avoided crowds. Also, SPB is much less expensive that the RCI ship tours. We highly recommend SPB! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly2 Posted April 3, 2015 #114 Share Posted April 3, 2015 We are sailing RCI late May. Booked SPB for St. petersburg and Stockholm. Anyone use them in Stockholm? Can you request a guide? If so, who would you recommend? Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerinacloud Posted April 30, 2015 #115 Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) Hello! Last year I came to St-Petersburg with friends and we booked a private tour from SPB TOURS. This time my children are travelling on Eurodam, 12-13 may they arrive to Russia. And I remembered the name of our guide in Russia who we liked so much. Her name was Elena. She was an official art expert in the Hermitage Museum and she was the best guide I ve ever met. Edited April 30, 2015 by flowerinacloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choccy14 Posted July 11, 2015 #116 Share Posted July 11, 2015 We are a family of 4 arriving on MSC Sinfonia on 6th Aug in St Petersburg. We are trying to book a group tour with SPB Tours as they seem have great reviews. Anyone else looking to join this group tour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare tetleytea Posted July 15, 2015 #117 Share Posted July 15, 2015 We had Elena with SPB tours as well. She knows exactly what she is doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly2 Posted July 15, 2015 #118 Share Posted July 15, 2015 We weren't able to request with SPB but had booked really early which may have been why we lucked out and had Elena. She was a marvel, really, really good. Haven't heard of anyone who had a poor guide. They seem to have excellent quality control, questionnaires at end of tour and follow up emails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choccy14 Posted July 16, 2015 #119 Share Posted July 16, 2015 As we were late enquiring and no-one else from our ship tried to book we were unable to book a group tour with SPB for Aug, only a private tour which was too pricey for the 4 of us. We have now booked with Alla Tours and hoping this will be a great tour of St Petersburg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jomadderatz Posted August 20, 2015 #120 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Thanks for that!! We are using SPB in Berlin and St. Petersburg, Sept 2015, glad to hear you had a great time. Do you remember if they stop at an ATM or do you suggest we have Rubles ahead of time to pay the tips? Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choccy14 Posted August 20, 2015 #121 Share Posted August 20, 2015 (edited) Thanks for that!! We are using SPB in Berlin and St. Petersburg, Sept 2015, glad to hear you had a great time. Do you remember if they stop at an ATM or do you suggest we have Rubles ahead of time to pay the tips? Thanks!! We went with Alla tours and paid for the tour and the tip in US Dollars. These had to be pristine with no marks or tears for their bank to accept. The exchange rate with Roubles does fluctuate and I think they prefer Foreign currency. I'm sure you will have an amazing time :) Edited August 20, 2015 by choccy14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jomadderatz Posted August 20, 2015 #122 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Thanks!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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