St Petersburg, Russia - New Problem?

[UDSpud]

Todays news indicates that Russia is ordering the US consulate in St. Petersburg closed and 60+ state department officials ( probably not all from St. Petersburg) sent home from Russia in response to the similar action by the Us after the UK poisoning.

 

Many booked and considering Baltic cruises may be affected. There probably will not be any American state department officials in town to help American cruise ship passengers who have problems. Travelers to St. Petersburg should check the State department website for information ( will the Moscow Consulate try to help cruise passengers in St. Petersburg or will another country's consulate help (Switzerland, Finland or ?).

 

Best advice, If on a ship visa or an approved Russian tour group visa, you should try extra hard to stay with the tour guide. This situation does not help those who wander away or get separated.

 

Hopefully CC will do a general post about this potential problem which probably affects most Baltic cruises and cruise lines.

[Teddy from MV]

Todays news indicates that Russia is ordering the US consulate in St. Petersburg closed and 60+ state department officials ( probably not all from St. Petersburg) sent home from Russia in response to the similar action by the Us after the UK poisoning.

 

Many booked and considering Baltic cruises may be affected. There probably will not be any American state department officials in town to help American cruise ship passengers who have problems. Travelers to St. Petersburg should check the State department website for information ( will the Moscow Consulate try to help cruise passengers in St. Petersburg or will another country's consulate help (Switzerland, Finland or ?).

 

Best advice, If on a ship visa or an approved Russian tour group visa, you should try extra hard to stay with the tour guide. This situation does not help those who wander away or get separated.

 

Hopefully CC will do a general post about this potential problem which probably affects most Baltic cruises and cruise lines.

 

Looks like we are the only ones concerned. We will be there in a few months, hopefully things will settle down by then. As it looks now, we might not get off the ship in SP.

[KS&JW]

I am traveling there (non cruise trip) in two weeks. I am not concerned. I have never in all my years of traveling ever needed the services of a consulate. While there is not doubt, if something happened, it would be very helpful to have one there. I do not lose sleep over it.

[Teddy from MV]

I am traveling there (non cruise trip) in two weeks. I am not concerned. I have never in all my years of traveling ever needed the services of a consulate. While there is not doubt, if something happened, it would be very helpful to have one there. I do not lose sleep over it.

 

 

True, I have traveled many places and have never needed help from the consulate. But, as I get older I am more cautious. My niece had her passport stolen last year in Rome and her phone in Paris. And if I remember correctly there were 2 different occasions on Amazing Race where passports were lost or stolen. I'm not sure why you would need to use the Consulate other than passport issue. There is an US consulate SP for a reason, it must be used. That being said, we haven't decided what we are going to do yet, because as you say we probably won't need them.

[Sea42]

Looks like we are the only ones concerned. We will be there in a few months, hopefully things will settle down by then. As it looks now, we might not get off the ship in SP.

It would really be a shame to miss St. Petersburg. At the very least take a ship excursion if you are concerned. They will help you if anything goes wrong.

[jo-b]

As far as I am aware we didn't have to take passports ashore in Russia. On a ship's tour or a private one through one of the many tour companies (Alla/SPB/Red October etc) your visa is provided by them and all you need is your tour ticket. On the private tours you are in small groups in a van.

 

I echo Sea42 a real shame to stay onboard in St Petersburg and IMHO the waste of a cruise to an area which tends to be on the dearer

side.

[aquidneck1]

According to our tour company, this is what you need to take ashore.

 

According to the Russian law regarding the non-visa cruisepassengers the proper documents are:

1) A valid passport,

2) A photo copy of yourpassport

3) A proof of yourparticipation in a tour program arranged by a licensed and authorized operator.

First two you shallprovide yourself, and the third one shall be provided by us. It is anauthorized tour ticket, which we send you by email.

 

 

I have a tank top that has a pocket in the front for my passport. The company also makes T shirts. I have used it when I was required to carry my passport - just to keep it safe and away from other things that might have more exposure.

[Shawnino]

There are lots of ports of call where there is no US consulate.

Petersburg is just another one now.

No big deal, comrades.

[2552phxcrzr]

As far as I am aware we didn't have to take passports ashore in Russia. On a ship's tour or a private one through one of the many tour companies (Alla/SPB/Red October etc) your visa is provided by them and all you need is your tour ticket. On the private tours you are in small groups in a van.

 

I echo Sea42 a real shame to stay onboard in St Petersburg and IMHO the waste of a cruise to an area which tends to be on the dearer

side.

 

Last year we were required to take our passports with us when going ashore in St P. Both leaving and returning to the ship, the passport and the authorized ticket from our tour company had to be shown to the immigration officials in the terminal.

[Cruzin Terri]

True, I have traveled many places and have never needed help from the consulate. But, as I get older I am more cautious. My niece had her passport stolen last year in Rome and her phone in Paris. And if I remember correctly there were 2 different occasions on Amazing Race where passports were lost or stolen. I'm not sure why you would need to use the Consulate other than passport issue. There is an US consulate SP for a reason, it must be used. That being said, we haven't decided what we are going to do yet, because as you say we probably won't need them.

 

We never thought we would need we would need the services of a consulate/ embassy either in all out travels through the years. However a few years ago DH became ill in Rome and needed surgery. The embassy was quite helpful to us when we needed some help and guidance. So it is more than just a lost passport. When you are in a country where language is a problem, the consulate is a huge resource.

Terri

[jeffreys1]

You definitely need your passport to leave the ship in St Pete. We were intensely questioned about a recent visit to Istanbul by the officer who checked ours. It was a few months after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter plane that crossed into Turkish airspace leading to rough relations between the 2 countries.

[RJB]

You definitely need your passport to leave the ship in St Pete. We were intensely questioned about a recent visit to Istanbul by the officer who checked ours. It was a few months after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter plane that crossed into Turkish airspace leading to rough relations between the 2 countries.

When we were in St. Pete. a few years ago we needed a copy of our passports not the actual passport. Could be things have changed.

[Mura]

My comments may not be relevant but I'll try.

 

We were in St. P. with Renaissance in May 2001. We had our own visas, which were meticulously examined several times whenever we left or returned to the ship. (We had hired a private guide but she did not provide a group visa.)

 

In 2012 we did the Black Sea cruise on Regatta but this time we had group visas with our guides (arranged by another passenger so I am not cognizant of all of the details). This was a much easier process. We did have to show our passports as I recall, but they had also collected all of our passport numbers in advance.

 

Haven't been in Russian territory since 2012 so as RJB said, maybe things have changed.

 

Oh, and you don't need to be "extra careful" to stay with your group if you're on a group visa just because the St. P. consulate is being closed. You always needed to do that anyway. I was always puzzled by the numbers of people both here and on the old Yahoo Oceania list that thought that if they were on a ship's tour or a private group that provided you with a group visa, that you could just wander off on your own.

 

This was never was a good idea at any time! Yes, it would be worse if no U.S. consulate is there!

 

Mura

[Shawnino]

The USA is currently negotiating a deal with other countries who have consulates in the area to stand in to help US nationals visiting/living in Leningrad.

Announcement soon.

Please don't let a little diplomatic tit-for-tat scare you off one of Europe's more interesting cities.

[PaulMCO]

Always has been a great place to visit -- many times in the past during the worse of the cold war; always felt welcome -- though had minders and followers.

[Winner]

The USA is currently negotiating a deal with other countries who have consulates in the area to stand in to help US nationals visiting/living in Leningrad.

Announcement soon.

Please don't let a little diplomatic tit-for-tat scare you off one of Europe's more interesting cities.

I was there when the name changed back to St. Petersburg:champagne-toast:

[resistk]

I always get the three year Russia tourist visa regardless, worth the little bit extra cost if you plan to go back and then you can come and go in Petersburg as you wish.

[Hawaiidan]

Looks like we are the only ones concerned. We will be there in a few months, hopefully things will settle down by then. As it looks now, we might not get off the ship in SP.

 

This is only a diplomatic game, Russia needs hard dollar$ and is not about limiting tourists.

 

I can not imagine a problem so huge for a overnight visit, that you would need a state dept help?..

[wripro]

Of course they need hard dollars and won't limit tourists. The question is do I want to spend my dollars there and the answer is a resounding NO. I'm just glad I travelled there three times before the current situation.

[Hawaiidan]

Of course they need hard dollars and won't limit tourists. The question is do I want to spend my dollars there and the answer is a resounding NO. I'm just glad I travelled there three times before the current situation.

 

I am with you 200%

I had the fortune or misfortune back in 79 to be issued a diplomatic visa to my passport, for Govt business, which gave me freedom to travel un escorted any where in Poland, and USSR.... Well I did have A few KGB followers.

There is nothing in Russia or that region that I have any desire to go back to. There is tourist Russia and "Real Russia" Which ain't pretty.. Tourist Russia is a fascade like Disneyland..

 

Same with Viet Nam.... been there done that... on a prepaid, all expense visit for 8 months once

[UDSpud]

Since I am not going to Russia anytime soon, I can ask this question. Who would be contacted if you get taken in by the police? (drink too much and cause trouble, in an automobile accident, take a picture in the wrong place, accused of shoplifting or forgetting to pay, dispute with a taxi driver). Not sure how much Oceania could help.

 

Russia, especially St Petersburg, wants tourists, so it isn't apples and apples, but remember the American young man who took a poster in North Korea. Bet he and his parents wish there had been an American Consulate available to them

[RJB]

Since I am not going to Russia anytime soon, I can ask this question. Who would be contacted if you get taken in by the police? (drink too much and cause trouble, in an automobile accident, take a picture in the wrong place, accused of shoplifting or forgetting to pay, dispute with a taxi driver). Not sure how much Oceania could help.

 

Russia, especially St Petersburg, wants tourists, so it isn't apples and apples, but remember the American young man who took a poster in North Korea. Bet he and his parents wish there had been an American Consulate available to them

Bet the young man and his parents wish he was not there at all.

[Shawnino]

Since I am not going to Russia anytime soon, I can ask this question. Who would be contacted if you get taken in by the police? (drink too much and cause trouble, in an automobile accident, take a picture in the wrong place, accused of shoplifting or forgetting to pay, dispute with a taxi driver). Not sure how much Oceania could help.

 

Russia, especially St Petersburg, wants tourists, so it isn't apples and apples, but remember the American young man who took a poster in North Korea. Bet he and his parents wish there had been an American Consulate available to them

 

An American stuck in Petersburg can always call the US Embassy in Moscow, which remains open.

The US government is negotiating with other countries with consulates in Petersburg to help with Consular affairs.

 

The young man in North Korea did not deserve to die by any means, but:

1) He behaved like an idiot in the one country you absolutely mustn't behave like an idiot, and he was well-informed of this before he went;

2) The Swedish Embassy worked tirelessly on the brat's behalf and were unable to do anything despite their very best efforts

AND the US raised his case through backchannels

AND even the Chinese government put in a word to no avail.

It didn't work out for him but he was not without representation.

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

I agree with others that a lighter embassy staff should definitely not keep you from seeing St. Petersburg. You'll regret it later if you stay on the ship. Just stay close to the group you're with (whether ship or independent). Just to be super safe, I always take the name and number of the ship's agent in each port (usually different every day), which is usually printed in Oceania's paper (Daily Currents). I haven't needed it yet, but if I'm ever at risk of getting back to the ship, or have some other problem, I can call the agent and the agent will contact the ship. In Russia, in a pinch you might be able to borrow a phone to have someone call someone for help. Also, if you're separated from your group and see someone who looks to be with one of the tour companies (like Alla), ask them if they can contact someone for you. When we visited St. P with Alla, someone's husband stayed on the bus when the group went into the Hermitage. While outside the bus with the driver, a woman came up asking if anyone knew where a particular cruise line's bus was parked. (I don't remember if it was Oceania or some other line.) She had gone to the bathroom, gotten separated, went outside and panicked because the bus was not around. (That's because people are often dropped off one place and then the bus moves to another place.) Alla's driver and the person's husband were able to contact someone to help her.