Thomson spirit to baltics

[82rangoon]

Going on this cruise in september plan to visit st petersburg have been told best way is to pre book with one of the russian travel agents.just wondering anybody has any advice on this also is anybody going on this cruise and planning to visit st petersburg

[joeholiday2]

When we did St Pete, we just did the shorex, we were on NCL.

It was really booked too late to sort out a trip with a local operator.

 

I suggest you have a look around the port threads or maybe some of the American cruise line boards, they get together and organise trips with the local operators, you may be able to piggy back on one of their trips if there are any running.

[Wacktle]

We did an excellent 2 day "Grand Tour" with a local St Petersburg tour company last June (from Queen Victoria). I don't think I'm allowed to name them on here? (When you find it online, a moving scene of the city appears.) You don't need a visa - your printed ticket and passport gets you through immigration at St Petersburg. Our guide was excellent, the minibus was modern, and we saw and experienced far more than if we'd booked the ship's excursions. Book via their website.

[valleygirl49]

Hi - we are also on this cruise.I have been Emailing a company called Alla Tours in St Petersburg .They offer a 2 day grand tour and a 2 day comfort tour.We are interested in the comfort tour. Good reviews.Take a look at their website

[laradog]

Hi We are also on this trip in September and have already registered with Alla Tours for the St Petersburg 2 day tour. We asked for the comfort tour but as we were the only ones registered at the time they suggested the grand tour. We replied saying if there were no other takers for the comfort tour we would do the grand tour but would want to switch back to the comfort one if more registered. The comfort tour is $265 each which we thought was good value given that meals etc are included. Please let me know if you register with Alla Tours for the comfort tour as I will then get back in touch with them to make sure we are on that one and not the grand one. Not long now !!

[laradog]

Hi We are also on the same cruise in September and have registered with Alla Tours on line on their website alla-tour.com. They do two 2 day tours, a grand tour and a comfort tour. The former goes to a couple more places than the latter but one of the meals is just sandwiches 'on the hoof' and the pace is a little more hectic. We have stated we would prefer the comfort tour, includes all the main sights plus 2 restaurant meals and at a more leisurely pace. The grand tour is $300 and the comfort $265. At present we are the only ones registered for the comfort tour so if you decide to opt for that please let me know that way we will be certain that it will go ahead. I've also sent a response to Valleygirl49 aswell. Never know we may all meet up in Russia!!

[valleygirl49]

I have Emailed colin at Alla tours and have told him we would like to do the 2 day comfort tour

He replied stating that so far no one else from the Spirit had show interest in this tour,but he would keep me updated,

Am sure if a few more E mail Alla tours_they will do the comfort tours.They seem to want to be accommodating

FYI; my name is Helen

[jennjess]

We went to St Petersburg last year and used SPB tours. I would really recommend them. They also use mini buses and no packed lunches but sit down in a restaurant.

[WeeCountyMan]

I'm sure I'm talking to the converted - but remember to ensure that these tour companies arrange your visa if you book them.

 

Apparently it's difficult to organise a visa on your own - maybe somebody has more specific experience ? We opted for the Thomsons excursions and they did all such arrangements.

 

The Russian immigration officials are not user friendly or co-operative - we tried to pass through the control booths (with passports etc.) to use the wifi at the terminal - but were refused entry as we were not listed on any of the imminent tour departures.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

The Russian immigration officials are not user friendly or co-operative - we tried to pass through the control booths (with passports etc.) to use the wifi at the terminal - but were refused entry as we were not listed on any of the imminent tour departures.

 

When we went to St Petersburg we were pleasantly surprised at the very attractive young ladies on the desks as we went to get our visas, but on returning to the ship on the second day, we were met by a Mrs Khrushchev lookalike, when we went through the wrong channel. "Vich ship are you on?" she barked. We quickly got in the right queue ;)

[WeeCountyMan]

When we went to St Petersburg we were pleasantly surprised at the very attractive young ladies on the desks as we went to get our visas, but on returning to the ship on the second day, we were met by a Mrs Khrushchev lookalike, when we went through the wrong channel. "Vich ship are you on?" she barked. We quickly got in the right queue ;)

 

I know the one you mean - Stalin's grannie, according to rumour. :D

[jaqjaq]

We are going on that same cruise and have booked the two day trip with Guru -Guru and the did have good recommendations on Trip Advisor.

[82rangoon]

thanks for all the response

i have registered with alla tours for the comfort tour sending email saying others from the spirit looking to do this tour, i am waiting for reply.

[82rangoon]

Have had email back from alla tours and are booked on comfort tour ,looks like they taking bookings for this tpip

[davecttr]

I know the one you mean - Stalin's grannie, according to rumour. :D

Don't try and use humour, it does not work. My official obviously used to command a female tank division in WW2 :eek:

 

Surprisingly on the way back the young lady smiled, perhaps she had wind or was just glad to see me leaving.

 

The casino cashier came from St Petersburg so went to visit her mum. Despite having all the paperwork they would not let her back on the ship, no reason given. She had to go back home and fly to the UK to get back aboard.

 

First time i would just book a ships tour but be careful about trying 2 tours on the same day. The traffic is horrendous and you might spend an hour or so in a traffic jam.

[valleygirl49]

I have also now had an e mail from Alla tours re the comfort tour....They are now doing this so we will also be booking this 2 day trip

It's good that there are now others from the same ship!! Looking forward to it and meeting uo