St. Petersburg Question

[augiemom]

I am scheduled to go on a Baltic cruise that stops in St. Petersburg overnite. Do you think the ship will stop there. If not, what are the alternatives?

Thanks:confused::confused:

[Oh2B@C]

I am scheduled to go on a Baltic cruise that stops in St. Petersburg overnite. Do you think the ship will stop there. If not, what are the alternatives?

Thanks:confused::confused:

 

Unless Russia invades Finland or Estonia, I wouldn't worry about it. I mean, what are the chances of that happening... 50/50 at best...;)

[Mulege]

The turmoil is in Ukraine, not Russia. I live in Moscow and everything is peaceful here. Don't worry, you will stop in St. Petersburg. There is to much money flowing into that city from tourism.

[southpawsdakota]

I just heard that no visa's for Russia are going to be given out. This is going to be a back and forth for now between the EU the US and Russia. My DH travels to Russia on business and I told him not to plan on a trip there anytime soon.

[spyro1952]

The turmoil is in Ukraine, not Russia. I live in Moscow and everything is peaceful here. Don't worry, you will stop in St. Petersburg. There is to much money flowing into that city from tourism.

 

And it's economic sanctions that the US wants to impose so although everything may be quiet in Moscow, the US State Department may have other ideas.

[capriccio]

I just heard that no visa's for Russia are going to be given out. This is going to be a back and forth for now between the EU the US and Russia. My DH travels to Russia on business and I told him not to plan on a trip there anytime soon.

 

Where did you hear that? All I could find was a tit for tat banning of 9 Americans for the sanctions imposed on 9 Russians (http://un.ua/eng/article/499669.html):

 

"The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that Russia has imposed visa sanctions on nine citizens of the United States in response to the sanctions that the United States imposed on March 17, the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry made announcement in a statement...The list of American officials and members of Congress affected by the Russian visa ban in response to the United States' sanctions on Ukraine and the Crimea include Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy National Security Advisor Caroline Atkinson and United States presidential advisers Daniel Pfeiffer and Benjamin Rhodes. The visa bans also apply to the United States Senate majority leader Harry Reid, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner, and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Robert Menendez. The others are Senators John McCain, Mary Landrieu, and Daniel Coats."

 

The US State Department does have an alert (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/russia-travel-alert-events-in-ukraine.html) which is to be expected under these situations.

 

"

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens in Russia to the ongoing tensions in Ukraine and the potential for increased public demonstrations and anti-American actions in Russia in connection with Russian actions in the Crimea.

The Department of State also alerts U.S. citizens in Russia to the heightened military presence and on-going military exercises of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation along the border region with Ukraine. This Travel Alert expires on June 13, 2014."

 

But, as the poster in Moscow noted, St. Petersburg (and Moscow for that matter) are a long distance away from the Ukraine.

[skynight]

I am scheduled to go on a Baltic cruise that stops in St. Petersburg overnite. Do you think the ship will stop there. If not, what are the alternatives?

Thanks:confused::confused:

 

We are scheduled to cruise there also. Right now there are no restrictions, and no violence. Who knows what will happen, no one, not even those who make those decisions. If those holding passports from EU and N.A. are denied entry then I guess Princess will change it's route, but right now plan on stopping. I wouldn't send any deposits to Russian companies. When there I would use cash to pay tour operators, so as to avoid the Russian banking system.

[Lanwood]

I wouldn't worry.

 

It's a very large country. And the conflict is between Ukraine and Russia a whole continent away down on the black sea. So if you where doing a black sea cruise, I may have some reservations about ports of call, but not for a Baltic sea cruise on the other side of the planet (almost).

 

I have heard "Visa" threats between flagged in the last 48hours, but that is between Ukraine and Russian citizens in each others countries. For example Russian passport holders who previous did not need a visa in the Ukraine, would now need a Visa. Does not affect International travelers (previous rules still apply for us).

 

St Petersburg is my single favourite destination in the Baltic. It is another world in itself. You will have an amazing time (and you'll be very tired after two full days). You will not require a Visa for St Petersburg so long as you remain in the company of a Russian tour guide (their tour is essentially your visa). You will need a Visa if you plan on sight seeing on your own (strongly not recommended unless you speak good Russian). There are many private tour companies who specialise in one and two day tours of their city for cruise passengers. These can be up to half the price of the cruise tours, and with smaller groups, can include more sights. My last visit we used Alla Tours who where brilliant. There are also many others who also got very good recomendations from fellow travelers on my last cruise (about half the cruise ship took private tours. Each private tour company had about 6 or so mini vans to collect us all).

 

Warning: keep your passports close and safe on your person. From our cruise ship one couple had their passport stolen from pick pockets and where not allowed to re-board the cruise ship.

[aquilegia]

I just heard that no visa's for Russia are going to be given out.

 

Well, you have been misinformed. There are tit for tat visa bans on a few officials and people close to those at the top. There are no visa bans for the general public.

[paul929207]

OP,

Your cruise will probably go to St. Petersberg. If not, look at a map of the Baltic area. Any port is a possibility

[dfields1814]

I traveled throughout Russia in the USSR days. That was quite an experience.

 

Like other posters I see no problems with travel in St Petersburg. However, I would-be on my very best behavior.

[CharlesOK]

For what it is worth, when traveling to most countries, when a Visa is required, the Visa allows one to enter the country and stay for a specified number of days. It is VERY important to recognize that a Visa for Russia is slightly different. It allows one to exit the country. If, while you are traveling, your Visa is lifted or in someway invalidated for entry to any NORMAL country, you would not be allowed to enter and would have to leave by what ever means were available without entering the country. With Russia, if you were in the country and they decided to lift your Visa for any reason, you would be DETAINED and not allowed to depart till certain official actions were satisfied. Those who are using a tour from Princess are in the care of Princess and I doubt that you would be affected because funds would be lost to the government if their relationship with Princess was disturbed. The ship would probably be able to fight for your release. Go out on your own and spit on the sidewalk and your on your own there. Just saying!!

[CharlesOK]

Exit Visas: A valid visa is necessary to depart Russia. Travelers who overstay their visa’s validity, even for one day, will be prevented from leaving until their sponsor intervenes and requests a visa extension on their behalf. Russian authorities may take up to 20 calendar days to authorize an exit visa, during which time the traveler will be stranded in Russia at his or her own expense. The ability of the Embassy or Consulates General to intervene in these situations is extremely limited.

 

Travelers with expired visas should also be aware that they may have difficulty checking into a hotel, hostel, or other lodging establishment. There are no adequate public shelters or safe havens in Russia and neither the U.S. Embassy nor the Consulates General have means to accommodate such stranded travelers.

 

Visitors who lose their U.S. passports and Russian visas to accident or theft must immediately replace their passports at the U.S. Embassy or one of the Consulates General. The traveler must then enlist the visa sponsor to obtain a new visa in order to depart the country. As noted above, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General are not able to intercede in cases in which visas must be replaced. It is helpful to make a photocopy of your visa in the event of loss, but a copy is not sufficient to permit departure.

[CharlesOK]

On September 9, 2012, the new visa regime between the Russian Federation and the United States of America entered into force. Please find the text of the visa agreement here. Please continue to check our website for additional information, and contact your nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate General about specific requirements for visa applications.

 

 

The Russian government maintains a restrictive and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation. A U.S. citizen who does not comply with Russian visa laws can be subject to arrest, fines, and/or deportation. Russian authorities will not allow a U.S. citizen traveler with an expired visa to depart the country, effectively stranding the person for up to 20 days, until local authorities grant an exit visa.

 

The Government of Russia does not recognize the standing of the U.S. diplomatic mission to intervene in visa matters, including situations in which an American is stranded because of an expired visa. U.S. citizens should also be aware that Russian immigration and visa laws change regularly, and the implementation of new regulations has not always been transparent or predictable.

 

The Russian visa system includes a number of provisions that may be unfamiliar to Americans.

 

Just because you have been there in the past, does not mean all is as previously.

If your going to go it alone, please be aware of your status. This information was excerpted from; http://moscow.usembassy.gov/russian-visas.html#ExitVisas

[DrivesLikeMario]

...Just because you have been there in the past, does not mean all is as previously.

If your going to go it alone, please be aware of your status. This information was excerpted from; http://moscow.usembassy.gov/russian-visas.html#ExitVisas

 

That's some of the best advice I've seen. The laws can, and do, change often. Just because you had no problem in the past, doesn't mean that you can freely enter and leave a country a year later. I've seen some countries' laws change twice in one year. To be safe, check the consulate of each country you plan to visit. The laws are different for Canadians and those from the US too, so please make sure you check first before leaving your home country. It would be shame to have your trip ruined due to a recent change.

[Grammyluvs]

When we visited St. Petersburg last May, 2013 on the Emerald overnight, we took a private tour with SPB_tours both days. We did not have to acquire a visa as all was handled by the tour agency. We spoke with Victoria. I think you will find she will give you accurate information as to what you need prior to visiting.That situation in the Ukraine is volatile so who knows if Putin and Obama will trade sanctions and tighten the screws. I hope you get to go, it is an incredible city. You will find on the Ports section many compliments regarding Victoria and SPB_tours. It was the highlight of our trip.

[whatcruiseisnext]

The bottom line is that if travel warnings are issued for Russia....not alerts....the ship will not go to there. Liability wise.....the ships insurance companies will not permit them to do so. It doesn't matter if it is calm in St Petersburg or Moscow. If a warning is issued....you will be notified by the cruiseline. Nothing you can do to find out beforehand. If it is cancelled I am sure that the cruiselines will come up with another plan since St. Petersburg is a two day stop.