Questions on the 12 nighter Southampton round trip cruise

[DJLDRUMS]

We'll be on the 12 nighter Navigator Southampton round trip in June of 2017, published as a "new" itinerary. Two ports are Tallinn and St. Petersburg Russia in addition to Zeebrugge, and Oslo. Are Passports (U.S. citizens) all that's needed or will we need to obtain Visas to visit Tallinn and St. Petersburg ?

 

Those that have been to St. Petersburg and Talliin, can you provide us with any do's or don'ts, or must see, or skip regarding tours and places of interest, the same with Oslo. We've been to Zeebrugge and enjoyed that place.

 

Thanks in advance to those who reply.

 

Don

[petel]

We'll be on the 12 nighter Navigator Southampton round trip in June of 2017, published as a "new" itinerary. Two ports are Tallinn and St. Petersburg Russia in addition to Zeebrugge, and Oslo. Are Passports (U.S. citizens) all that's needed or will we need to obtain Visas to visit Tallinn and St. Petersburg ?

 

Those that have been to St. Petersburg and Talliin, can you provide us with any do's or don'ts, or must see, or skip regarding tours and places of interest, the same with Oslo. We've been to Zeebrugge and enjoyed that place.

 

Thanks in advance to those who reply.

 

Don

 

Ship tours do not need a separate visa for St Petersburg. No visa needed for Tallin. Enjoy :)

[Biker19]

Tallinn, no, St Pete, yes, for visas. Join your roll call to get tour ideas or look in the ports of call sections.

[DJLDRUMS]

Oh... oh, I'm getting a no and then a yes about needing a Visa for St. Petersburg from the last two replies...

[Cotswold Eagle]

Lots of info about this on the Northern Europe and Baltics board - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=192

 

If you want to do your own thing in St. Petersburg, you will need a visa. If you are taking a licensed tour and are on a cruise that is in port for no longer than 72 hours, I believe, the tour company takes care of immigration formalities - this will be variously described as visa-free or a blanket/group visa, but bottom line is you don't have to apply for your own visa. Suitable tour operators include private arrangements with licensed operators, as well as cruise line excursions, despite what they might try to tell you :)

 

SPB Tours is frequently recommended on the board, but there are other operators.

[SeaJaclyn]

You don't need a visa as long as you're on a RC excursion/tour. You will not be able to roam free in St. Petersburg WITHOUT a visa. (I'm booked too!)

[TiiiSailor]

You don't need a visa as long as you're on a RC excursion/tour. You will not be able to roam free in St. Petersburg WITHOUT a visa. (I'm booked too!)

 

It doesn't have to be a tour from RC. Any tour group licensed to give tours in St. Petersburg is the same as getting one from RC. The only time you need a visa is if you desire to go it on your own and walk around St. Petersburg.

[Grillfish]

Tallinn was great, we just took a Celebrity ship tour of old town, walked DOWN the hill and had a nice stroll. Nothing special needed. It was an amazing city!

 

St. P, we got into a small group tour via our roll call via TJ Travel, it was full two days and it is now my favorite city (Istanbul was my top). Now going through customs at the St P port, took about 2 hours, but faster the 2nd day. TJ Travel took care of our visa but we had to complete a form from them ahead of time, via email, and it we were all set.

 

Enjoy!